Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch Competition Offers Entrepreneurs a Jump Start to Financing

IRVINE, Calif., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech Coast Angels, the nation's largest angel investor network, invites the entrepreneurs, investors and business-interested people to attend Fast Pitch, one of Orange County's most exciting entrepreneurial events of the year, to watch and vote on their favorite 90-second elevator pitch and enjoy a gourmet dinner and networking with some of the most influential businesspeople in Orange County. Fast Pitch will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 5:30 p.m.-9:15 p.m., at U.C. Irvine Student Center on Pereira Drive at West Peltason. Fast Pitch is an opportunity to network with hundreds of investors and entrepreneurs, watch and vote on the finalists as they compete for a panel of expert judges and learn about exciting new start-up investment opportunities.

Ten finalists have been selected and have worked closely with Tech Coast Angels (TCA) mentors in an extensive training program to hone their 90-second pitch to present their ideas in the most compelling, interesting way. Part of the coaching process includes invaluable consultation with Barbara Seymour Giordano, a leading speech and presentation consultant. Each entrepreneur will deliver their pitch to a panel of investors, other members of the Orange County entrepreneurial community and the audience, and will be judged on the quality of their presentation and the investment potential of their business idea. Four winners will be selected in the following categories: Best Overall; Best Funding Opportunity; Best Presentation; People's Choice/Audience Pick. Each of these four winners receive the opportunity to give an in-depth presentation of their business to Tech Coast Angels.

Fast Pitch is a key element in TCA's focus on identifying and nurturing very early-stage start-ups and complements other programs TCA has put in place, such as SeedTrack, a unique program designed to provide seed funding, services, knowledge, education, execution and strategic planning to entrepreneurs with game-changing company ideas in the very early stages of development.

"Our Fast Pitch Competition is an exciting event that draws some of Orange County's best entrepreneurs with the most interesting business ideas and gives them visibility and networking opportunities with the region's most prominent angel and VC investors and business executives," said Richard Davis, TCA Fast Pitch chairman. "TCA focuses on finding brilliant local ideas and talent and nurturing and developing them into solid, high-growth businesses and Fast Pitch, along with SeedTrack and other initiatives we've undertaken, are critical to our success in meeting that goal."

From the event's inception nine years ago, TCA and several venture capital firms have funded many of the companies that have participated in Fast Pitch. Overall, TCA has funded over 150 ventures, raising over $1 billion for portfolio companies.

Registration and tickets are available at www.pitchtheangels.com. The cost through May 23 is $85.00 online, following that date is $95.00 at the door and students with a valid ID are $45. The ticket price includes a sumptuous buffet with wine and special desserts. The event is sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, Attorneys at Law; Moss Adams – Certified Public Accountants; Orange County Business Bank; Irvine Chamber of Commerce; GoScan; and Barbara Seymour Giordano.

About Tech Coast Angels

Tech Coast Angels, www.techcoastangels.com, is the largest angel investor group in the United States. Its members provide funding and guidance to more early-stage, high-growth companies in Southern California than any other investment group. TCA members invest in companies in a wide range of industries, including the life sciences, biotech, IT, services, retail, Internet, financial, software, media, consumer products and tech startups. TCA members give companies more than just capital; they also provide counsel, mentoring and access to an extensive network of potential investors, customers, strategic partners and management talent. TCA has more than 250 members, including its venture capital affiliates, in five networks in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Westlake/Santa Barbara and the Inland Empire. More information on investment with Tech Coast Angels can be found at www.techcoastangels.com, www.facebook.com/techcoastangels or twitter.com/techcoastangels.

SOURCE Tech Coast Angels