Earlier this year, growing tech company Plug In Ventures (PIV), received a $1 million grant to help further their mission of supporting diverse, early-stage startups in underserved neighborhoods. On Thursday, September 12, PIV hosted their fifth founder showcase and demo day in Culver City, powered by Amazon.
This event served as a platform for business founders to celebrate their achievements from PIV’s 12-week program from December 2023. Businesses pitched for potential partners and investors, while the audience gained valuable insight into their operations and revenue by expanding their professional networks. Within their presentations, CEOs demonstrated their websites and apps to give a visual representation of their business and how they connect with customers and consumers.
Related Links:
Derek Smith, founder & CEO, is orchestrating and connecting the dots between an entrepreneur’s dreams and the resources that make them reality. The L.A. native is reinvesting into his community with two progressive programs that track, engage, and validate new business owners through investment, mentorship, commercial expansion, and business development.
When asked about Demo Day, Smith shared, “Demo Day was awesome! All the hard work showed up today in these presentations. I’m super excited to see these founders go out and handle their business to get their companies to the next level. We are getting ready to roll out our next cohort at the end of this year going into 2025, with a pre-accelerator program with other cohort founders. We’re going to help businesses find capital and support for our founders, and we’re super excited about that.”
Demo Day guests had the opportunity to meet PIV’s Founders and explore their companies, the customers they serve, and the industries they’re revolutionizing. These diverse companies span a range of sectors, including HealthTech, Digital Media, FinTech, Climate, Beauty, and Sustainability, among others. The annual event featured Rica Elysee of Slay, Nyakio Grieco of Thirteen Lune, Marlon Nichols for MaC Venture Capital, Ben Bergman of Business Insider and Plug In founders, and a network with a curated group of L.A. tech leaders.
The event started with registration and keynote presentations and ended with a reception for networking and mingling. Smith and PIV have dedicated their professional careers to the advancement of minority owned businesses. To learn more about upcoming events with Plug In Ventures and how to connect with fellow investors, corporate partners, and accomplished entrepreneurs, visit Plug In Ventures · Events Calendar.
