FOURTH ANNUAL PortTechEXPO ON SEPTEMBER 11 TO FOCUS ON CONNECTING TECH INNOVATORS, BUSINESSES AND INVESTORS
Info Sessions for Entrepreneur Funding Competition Upcoming
on Aug. 8 and 15; Event Sponsor Opportunities Still Available
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – July 31, 2013 – On September 11, PortTech Los Angeles will host its fourth annual PortTechEXPO, a technology conference and competition bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and the business community to explore and help fund the latest innovative advancements in environment, energy, transportation and security technology solutions for the maritime industry and beyond.
“This year’s PortTechEXPO is shaping up to be the biggest and most dynamic yet, with more planned demonstrations and interactive displays than ever before,” said PortTechLA Executive Director Stan Tomsic. “This event is a great opportunity for connecting businesses and helping bring new and innovative technologies to market.”
PortTechEXPO anticipates as many as 100 technology exhibitors and displays, and expects hundreds of individual, government and corporate leaders to participate in the conference this year. Event highlights include an entrepreneur pitch competition, live presentations of sustainable products and services, and dozens of sponsor displays and booths.
This year’s entrepreneur competition will focus specifically on clean technology start-ups and emerging growth companies. PortTechEXPO hopes to secure entries from both local and global companies to expand the level of competition and innovation. Chosen from among entries received, ten finalists will have the opportunity on September 10, in the Port boardroom, to pitch their innovative technology ideas to a panel of judges, venture capitalists and Technology Advancement Program (TAP) representatives. TAP is a joint initiative of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach focused on supporting development and funding of new, clean air technologies for port environments.
“The PortTech Los Angeles pitch competition lets us quickly identify the best, most innovative clean tech companies out there,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “While we’ve had great success in reducing harmful emissions over the last decade, we continually look for new technologies that can help us do even better.”
Entrepreneurs wishing to compete must register for and attend one of two coaching sessions, either on August 8 or August 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Long Beach Small Business Development Center, 4900 E. Conant St., Long Beach, CA 90808.
PortTech Los Angeles is a non-profit business incubator focused on fostering new and clean technology for potential use at the San Pedro Bay port complex. Initially established as a collaboration of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles and the San Pedro and Wilmington Chambers of Commerce, PortTech Los Angeles organized its first expo in 2010.
This year’s event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 110 East 22nd St. in San Pedro. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.
Potential sponsors, investors, entrepreneurs, industry or community leaders, or those interested in registering for the conference can call Laura Duarte at 310-519-1801.
PortTech Los Angeles is a commercialization center and incubation program dedicated to creating sustainable technologies for ports and beyond. We bring together entrepreneurs, strategic partners and investors to accelerate innovation, advance clean technologies and create economic opportunities. We promote and develop technologies that enable enterprises to meet their environmental, energy, security and transportation goals. PortTech Los Angeles, part of the Clean Tech Los Angeles Initiative, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a cooperative effort of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles, and the San Pedro and Wilmington business communities.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.