Redding, CA – The Shasta EDC, Startup Redding, and the Shasta Angels partnered in hosting Redding’s Inaugural Venture Conference on Friday, May 31st at the Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge. This economic driver for jobs, technology, and innovation was designed to showcase some of the North State’s best and brightest ventures, with an opportunity to take home a $10,000 cash prize. “The outcome of the conference was epic to be sure! It’s community support like what we saw at our first conference, that will help drive the Startup Redding ecosystem to continued success and scalability,” said Eric A. Hiatt, Executive Director of the Shasta Angels.
Over thirty California companies made their preliminary pitches to the Shasta Angels over the last six months, but only the top six regional ventures were invited to present at the annual Redding Venture Conference. Nathan Slafter, CEO of Rente’ was selected by the judge’s panel as the 2019 conference winner and was presented a $10K cash prize. In addition to the prize money, two companies also received a surprise investment from the Shasta Angels. Jenna Zint with Turbans for Tots was thrilled to receive an investment offer of $50K from the Shasta Angels and the crowd roared when our local Shasta Angels presented a $350,000.00 investment to Dave Charlson – Founder and CEO of Authentic Sales. The remaining pitches were very-well received and rounded out an amazing day – Peter Farsai’s “Outdoor Ally,” Tobe Zane with “STOWco and the Slip Wallet,” and Homesent’s Founded by Nick Wallace.
Marianne Hudson, Executive Director of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), was the event’s keynote speaker. She leads the world’s top professional and trade association of angel investors, and previously Served as the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, Vice President of the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center. She imparted the economic and community vitality perks that venture hubs, EDC’s and angel groups bring to statewide, regional and especially rural areas. Marianne remarked, “I’ve never seen this much energy in a meeting like this, ever. And I’ve been going to these things for 20 years.” The ACA offers education, smart practices, data analysis, public policy advocacy, and significant benefits and resources to its membership of more than 14,000 accredited investors across North America, who invest individually or through its 260 angel groups, accredited platforms, and family offices.
The event would not have been possible, without the support from regional sponsors who partnered in bringing this conference to the North State and have invested in the future of the Greater Redding area. Platinum: The McConnell Foundation; Gold: Five Star Bank, Tri Counties Bank, Haedrich & Co., Redding Chamber of Commerce; Silver: Venture Properties, MD Imaging, Mindbox Studios, D.H. Scott & Company, IKON Coaching, Sierra Pacific Foundation, Theory Collaborative, Moore & Bogener.
Startup Redding received a grant from the Forward Redding Foundation, through the City Identity Project, to launch the first Redding-based Venture Conference. A special thanks to the judge’s panel: Mike Frank, Bruce Dean, Marianne Hudson, Sami Kader, and Chris Haedrich. The goal of the annual Conference is to increase early-stage investments, encourage job growth in the local economy, and drive local startups. Planning for the 2020 Redding Venture Conference is already underway. To register to make a pitch, purchase tickets or get additional details, visit www.startupredding.com/venture.
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The EDC of Shasta County is a 501(c)(3) California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation focused on growing, diversifying and maintaining a balanced economy, leading to more economic stability and sustainability for our region in the primary industries and technology sectors.
