Here's What to Expect at LA Tech Week 2023

Samson Amore

Samson Amore is a reporter for dot.LA. He holds a degree in journalism from Emerson College. Send tips or pitches to samsonamore@dot.la and find him on Twitter @Samsonamore.

Here's What to Expect at LA Tech Week 2023
Evan Xie

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Los Angeles Tech Week returns for another year this June, and the packed slate of events ranges from lavish parties in Beverly Hills mansions to karaoke with venture capitalists.


This year, the festivities will be held from June 5-11. In addition to a16z, local investors including M13, Clocktower Technology Ventures, MaC Ventures, Science Inc. and Fika Ventures are all slated to attend or host their own networking or pitching events.

The weeklong event is bookended by other similar tech weeks in two prominent tech cities, San Francisco and New York. In total, there’s more than 100 events scheduled throughout the week, and attendees have to register for each individual activity. Here’s a selection of events that’ll take place during LA Tech Week 2023.

Black and Brown VCs and Founders Brunch: BLCK VC and LatinxVC, two groups created to promote and advance work done by people of color in the venture investing community, will host a meetup with “brunch-inspired” food and drinks in West Hollywood. The event promises the opportunity to network with a wide variety of industry professionals, from space technology to consumer packaged goods. It’ll take place Monday, June 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Proptech Meetup and Pacaso Open House: Spencer Rascoff, founder of Zillow and property broker startup Pacaso (and our very own dot.LA), will host a meetup with property technology founders and enthusiasts at a Pacaso home in Malibu, just off the PCH. The event will be held June 5 from 1-3 p.m. Register for the event address.

Techstars Aerospace and Defense Mixer: NASA’s Pasadena-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the U.S. Space Force and Techstars are hosting a networking and happy hour event at Techstars’ office in Culver City during tech week. The event will bring together both federal and startup players in the space tech space, and also include information for aerospace tech founders who might be interested in applying to be a part of Techstars’ space accelerator program. This takes place Tuesday, June 6 from 2-6 p.m.

Investor Oasis by the Beach: Local venture capital outfit TenOneTen Ventures is partnering with neighboring Nomadic Ventures and San Francisco-based Marcy Venture Partners to host a beachside happy hour for local investors and founders at Venice Beach on Tuesday. The event will take place at sunset, from 5-8pm on June 6.

UCLA Anderson Elevating Voices: A Pitch Competition & Networking Opportunity: Among the handful of university-sponsored events at LA Tech Week this year is this pitch competition sponsored by UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. The competition is open to any startups who have raised less than $500,000, don’t have a graduate business degree or have sold less than $20,000 last year. The top winner will receive a cash prize and access to UCLA’s incubator at the Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on June 6 at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood.

Female Founders: Planning. Pivoting. Profiting: This pithily-named event is sponsored by New York University’s LA campus and will feature a panel of several female founders discussing how they’ve started and managed their businesses. It’ll be moderated by NYU adjunct professor Shivani Honwad, Esq. and take place from 2-4 p.m. on June 6.

Supercharge LA: In partnership with Pledge LA, dot.LA will be hosting an evening of live music, food, drinks and guest speakers (including Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler) on Wednesday, June 7 from 6-10 p.m. The event will take place at the 3rd St. Promenade at 1212 Santa Monica, and promises to bring together hundreds of entrepreneurs and investors, all eager to discuss the tech and startup ecosystem in LA. Register for our paid event here.

First Republic Bank Clubhouse: Got questions about First Republic Bank’s recent collapse? This may (or may not) be the time to field them. First Republic is hosting a “casual” midday lunch networking event featuring beverages and bratwurst in Venice on Wednesday, June 7 from 1-4 p.m.

a16z & Stonks: Gaming & Entertainment Demo Day Hosted by Google: Google’s Venice headquarters at 340 Main St. will host a demo day on Wednesday, where six startup founders in the gaming and entertainment industries will pitch their products to an audience of investors and press. Founders looking to be part of the pitch lineup can register here. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 7.

Aerospace Meets Climate Tech: A number of founders and investors in the aerospace and climate industries will converge in Hawthorne not far from SpaceX’s headquarters to discuss innovation in the climate technology industry during tech week. It’ll include electric speedboat company Arc Boats, LowerCarbon Capital, and former Chief Sustainability Officer of the City of LA Lauren Faber O’Connor, to name a few. The event will be held Thursday, June 8 from 5-8 p.m.

Gen AI Virtual Worlds Hackathon: This event actually takes place over multiple days; Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, June 9 and running through June 11. The hackathon encourages developers to use artificial intelligence tools to create “immersive virtual worlds” corresponding to this year’s theme of “heroes and villains,” with the chance to win a combined $10,000 worth of prizes. It’ll be held at Loyola Marymount University’s Playa Vista campus all three days; Attendees can apply to register here.

Sports in LA: Investing, Founding and Growing: Join sponsor Athlete Strategies and its CEO Anthony Baldini for an event discussing LA’s sports and technology ecosystem at the 3rd Street Promenade on Friday. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9.

Rooftop Angel City FC Watch Party and Innovator Panel, with Carta: One of the few tech week events scheduled over the weekend, San Francisco-based startup Carta is hosting a watch party for local women’s pro soccer team Angel City FC at Venice’s Neuhouse on Saturday. In attendance will be Angel City FC’s vice president of strategy Kari Fleischauer and several other investors and founders. The event will be held from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on June 10.

Registration information and a full list of LA Tech Week events can be found here.

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Standing Together Through the Flames

🔦 Spotlight

To our Los Angeles family,

This week’s wildfires have brought immense pain and hardship to our beloved city. Many of our friends, neighbors, and colleagues have faced evacuations, power outages, and the devastating loss of homes and livelihoods. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

At dot.LA, we want to express our deepest sympathy to those suffering in this moment. We see your resilience and stand with you during this challenging time. This community has always been defined by its strength and compassion, and now is the time to come together in support.

If You or Someone You Know Has Been Impacted, Resources Are Available:

Evacuation Shelters:

  • Calvary Community Church: 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362
  • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
  • Pan Pacific Recreational Center: 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
  • Pomona Fairplex: 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
  • Stoner Recreation Center: 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Animal Shelters:

Small Animals:

  • Agoura Animal Care Center: 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
  • Baldwin Park Animal Care Center: 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
  • Carson Animal Care Center: 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248
  • Downey Animal Care Center: 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center: 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
  • Palmdale Animal Care Center: 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550

Large Animals:

  • Pomona Fairplex: 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona
  • Industry Hills Expo: 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744
  • Antelope Valley Fair: 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536
  • Los Angeles Equestrian Center: 480 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506
  • Pierce College Equestrian Center: 7100 El Rancho Dr, Woodland Hills, CA 91371

Disaster Relief Information:

  • LA County Assessor: Information for property owners and FAQs about disaster relief.

Mental Health Support:

  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: Crisis counseling and support for those affected. Access services through their website or call their hotline at (800) 854-7771.

Temporary Housing Support:

  • Airbnb: In partnership with 211 LA, offering free temporary housing for displaced residents. Spaces are limited; complete the form to be notified of availability.

Transportation Support:

  • Uber: Use promo code WILDFIRE25 for 2 free rides up to $40 each to/from active shelters.
  • Lyft: Code CAFIRERELIEF25 offers 2 rides up to $25 each for up to 500 riders, valid until 1/15.
  • Metro: Fare collection is suspended systemwide.

Staying Informed:

  • Watch Duty App: Provides real-time wildfire tracking, evacuation warnings, and updates.
  • Los Angeles Fire Department Alerts: Visit their website for the latest information on fire status and safety guidelines.

Safety Precautions:

  • Ready, Set, Go!: Personal Wildfire Action Plan by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

To those in our community who are volunteering, donating, or offering aid in any form—thank you. Your efforts embody the spirit of LA: strong, compassionate, and unstoppable.

At dot.LA, we’re committed to amplifying stories of resilience and support. If you’ve seen inspiring acts of kindness or have resources to share, please let us know. Together, we can shine a light on the incredible ways this community is stepping up during these trying times.

In the days ahead, let’s hold tight to the bonds that unite us and remember that we are stronger together. The fires may scar the land, but they cannot dim the collective spirit of Los Angeles.

We’re here for you, and we’re with you.

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    A Strong Finish to 2024 for LA Tech: Crosscut Ventures Leads the Way

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Friday LA!

    As we close the book on 2024, Los Angeles has had a remarkable year in tech and venture capital. From groundbreaking funding rounds to industry-defining innovations, the city’s tech ecosystem has showcased its ability to adapt and thrive. Among the year’s final highlights was the announcement that Crosscut Ventures, one of LA’s premier early-stage venture capital firms, has added Jon Ylvisaker as its newest Partner.

    Crosscut Ventures’ Bold New Direction

    Announced in late December, Jon Ylvisaker’s appointment reflects Crosscut Ventures’ commitment to advancing its focus on the energy transition. Ylvisaker brings decades of experience in driving investments in energy technologies and digital infrastructure. As the founding partner and managing director of Yield Capital Partners, he led investments in startups and established companies shaping the future of sustainability. At Wolfacre Global Management, a Tiger Management hedge fund, he further honed his expertise in supporting impactful climate-focused solutions.

    Brian Garrett, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Crosscut Ventures, said, “Jon's extensive experience in climate and digital infrastructure investments, coupled with his impressive track record of bringing groundbreaking technologies to market, makes him the ideal partner to help lead our focus.”

    Since its founding in 2008, Crosscut has played a key role in shaping LA’s tech landscape. Ylvisaker’s addition reinforces the firm’s commitment to addressing global challenges like energy transition and sustainability, further solidifying its leadership in venture capital innovation.

    What’s Next for LA Tech in 2025

    The momentum from 2024 has set the stage for an even bigger year ahead. Entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in LA are poised to take on new challenges and create meaningful change across industries.

    As we step into 2025, we want to thank everyone who helped make 2024 such a standout year. Here’s to another year of progress, innovation, and success. From all of us at dot.LA, Happy New Year!

    🤝 Venture Deals

    LA Companies

    • First Resonance, a company specializing in digital manufacturing software through its ION Factory OS, has raised a $20M funding round led by Third Prime with participation from Blue Bear Capital and others. This brings its total funding to $36M and will be used to accelerate product development, grow its customer base, and enhance support for advanced manufacturing sectors like aerospace, robotics, and clean energy. - learn more
    LA Venture Funds
    • Finality Capital Partners led a $17M Seed funding round for ChainOpera AI, a California-based company developing blockchain networks for AI-powered agents and applications, to accelerate product development, expand its team and enhance its blockchain and AI integration capabilities. - learn more

    LA Exits

    • Thirteen Lune, an inclusive beauty e-commerce platform, has been acquired by SNR Capital, marking a significant milestone in the platform's mission to amplify underrepresented beauty brands while fueling its next stage of growth. - learn more
    • Ergobaby, a leading brand in juvenile products known for its high-quality baby carriers, has been acquired by Highlander Partners. The acquisition aims to bolster Ergobaby’s growth, expand its product offerings, and strengthen its position in the parenting solutions market. - learn more

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    Salt AI’s $3M Bet, Snapchat’s Creator Cash, Rivian’s EV Tech, and ŌURA’s $200M Win

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Friday, LA - let’s dive right in to this week’s highlights:

    Salt AI, a forward-thinking AI startup based in Los Angeles, has secured a $3 million seed funding round led by Morpheus Ventures with participation from Struck Capital, among others, to tackle the complexity of managing workflows.Salt AI's blog details how its platform centralizes tools like CRM systems, project management software, and data trackers into one interface, eliminating inefficiencies and freeing up teams to focus on meaningful work. With new funding in hand, Salt plans to scale its platform and expand its reach, a move that underscores how AI can solve everyday business challenges.

    Image Source: Salt AI - Aber Whitcomb

    While Salt AI focuses on the workplace, Snapchat is doubling down on creators, with its latest updates introducing revenue-sharing opportunities and direct monetization features. The company’snewsroom update outlines how enhanced analytics will help creators better understand their audiences and sustain their work. The platform's latest updates introduce revenue-sharing opportunities and direct monetization features, along with analytics that give creators deeper insights into their audience. By making it easier for creators to grow and sustain their work, Snapchat positions itself as a key player in the creator economy, offering features that rival platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

    Image Source: Snap

    On the roads, Rivian is redefining what it means to drive an electric vehicle. The company’s latest software update includes advanced route planning, energy management tools, and customization options that make every trip more intuitive and efficient. Additionally, Rivian has introduced new entertainment features, including Google Cast, YouTube, and SiriusXM, as featured in Rivian’ssoftware spotlight, enhancing the in-cabin experience for drivers and passengers alike. This isn’t just about convenience; Rivian is showing how thoughtful software design can elevate the entire EV experience, blending practicality with sophistication.

    Image Source: Rivian

    ŌURA is making headlines with a fresh $200 million Series D funding round, with participation from Fidelity Management & Research Company and Dexcom, which now values the company at $2.55 billion. This investment, as reported byBusiness Wire, highlights the growing demand for wearable health technology and positions ŌURA as a leader in the space. With its sleek design and emphasis on actionable health insights, the funding will enable ŌURA to expand its reach and further integrate wearables into daily health management, strengthening its position in the competitive health tech market. With this funding, ŌURA aims to reach more users and expand its capabilities, further embedding wearables into daily health management.

    Image Source: ŌURA

    Stay tuned as Salt AI, Snapchat, Rivian, and ŌURA continue to evolve, offering us new ways to work, connect, and live better.

    🤝 Venture Deals

      LA Venture Funds
        • Undeterred Capital participated in a $7M Seed funding round for Portal, a Watertown, Mass.-based biotech company specializing in advanced intracellular delivery technology to drive innovations in biological research and cellular therapeutics. - learn more
        • Vamos Ventures participated in a $7.9M Series A funding round for Culina Health, a Hoboken, NJ-based company that provides personalized, science-based virtual nutrition care by connecting patients with registered dietitians, with plans to use the funds to expand its offerings for dietitians and patients, implement AI-driven tools to enhance care efficiency, and strengthen its leadership team through key hires. - learn more
        • Humans Ventures participated in a $3.8M Seed funding round for Hamming.ai, a San Francisco-based company specializing in automated tools for testing and optimizing voice agents, with plans to expand its platform, enhance reliability and perform, and accelerate product development. - learn more
        • Fifth Wall led, with participation from Starshot Capital and others, in a $9.5M Series A funding round for Mojave, a Sunnyvale, CA-based company developing energy-efficient commercial air conditioning technology. The funds will be used to accelerate the adoption of its innovative systems and reduce energy consumption in the cooling industry. - learn more
        • ReMY Investors participated in a $17M Series B funding round for Scripta Insights, a company that leverages data analytics to help employers and healthy plans reduce prescription drug costs, with the funds aimed at expanding its platform and scaling operations. - learn more
        • Mantis VC participated in a $16.5M funding round for Nuon, a company specializing in Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) solutions that streamline AI, data, and infrastructure software deployment. The funds will support product development, readiness for general availability in 2025, and efforts to expand customer acquisition. - learn more
        • B Capital participated in a $102M Series C funding round for Precision, a company developing minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces to treat neurological disorders, with plans to use the funds to expand its team, advance clinical research, and refine its AI-powered brain implant for helping users with severe paralysis operate digital devices using their thoughts. - learn more
        • The Games Fund led a $3M Seed funding round for Dark Passenger, a Poland-based game studio founded by veterans of The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, to create an unannounced, innovative, first-person multiplayer PvPvE stealth-action game set in a distinctive universe inspired by feudal Japan and martial arts cinema. - learn more

            LA Exits

            • Calliope Networks, a generative AI company providing licensed media content like movies, TV shows, and news, has been acquired by Protege to strengthen its platform’s capabilities in advancing AI development. - learn more

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