​Join us at the second annual SoCal Deep Tech Symposium, a meticulously curated one-day event produced by The Alliance for SoCal Innovation, hosted by DTI at THE BR-DGE and proudly sponsored by Morgan Stanley.

​When: September 18, 2025, 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: El Segundo, CA
Who: >120 deep tech industry leaders, founders, investors, innovators, and thought leaders

​What to know: A one-day, highly curated event featuring a keynote and panels on the unique opportunities and challenges of commercializing deep tech innovations in sectors such as Aerospace & Defense, Advanced Manufacturing, Autonomous Mobility, Robotics, and Cleantech.

​Why it matters: Connect with top minds and explore the technologies and economic conditions driving the future of deep tech industries.

​AGENDA

​01:30 PM: Opening remarks: Mayor Chris Pimentel, City of El Segundo.

​01:40 PM: Keynote: Shahin Farshchi, PhD, Partner at Lux Capital in conversation with Ashutosh Shukla, VP of Mechanical Engineering at Anduril

​A candid conversation between one of deep tech’s most visionary investors and a leading executive at the frontier of autonomy, defense, and manufacturing. Together, they’ll unpack the stories behind building category-defining companies.

​02:15 PM Panels

​Featuring leaders from ACME Capital, Harbinger Motors, Mitsubishi Electric USA, and many others

• ​Commercializing and Scaling Deep Tech
  This panel will explore what it takes to bring cutting-edge technologies out of the lab and into the real world. Leaders from venture, government, and industry will share what works - and what doesn’t - when scaling deep tech companies in critical sectors like manufacturing, energy, and defense.

  • ​Moderator: TBA

  • ​Panelists: TBA
    

• ​Lessons from the Founder Journey
  Founders behind some of SoCal’s most ambitious startups share the hard-won lessons from building and scaling in deep tech. From first checks to first shipments, this session offers an unfiltered look at navigating the early stages of company-building.

  • ​Moderator: TBA

  • ​Panelists: TBA

​04:00 PM Startup Pitch Showcase (aka the First Look SoCal Deep Tech Innovation Showcase)

​Get an early glimpse into exciting new deep tech science-based startups emerging from SoCal's top research universities. Each of the 5 selected startups will quick pitch for 3 minutes immediately followed by 6 minutes of Q&A with a panel of investors and subject matter experts. Click here for detailed profiles of the selected startups.

​05:00 PM Networking Reception

​Continue the conversation and connect while enjoying refreshments and snacks

​PRE-EVENT WORKSHOP FOR FOUNDERS (separate ticket required)

​10AM - 12PM: Workshop with legal experts to help startup founders navigate issues such as Protecting and Commercializing Deep Tech Intellectual Property; Fundraising, and more. Lunch provided after workshop. Combination ticket includes workshop, lunch and General Admission to the symposium plus networking reception.