PitchFest26: Celebrating the Central Coast's Next Generation of Startups

On April 22, 2026, founders, investors, business leaders, and members of the Central Coast innovation community came together at the Cabrillo Pavilion for PitchFest26, Ventech's annual startup pitch competition.

Four emerging startups took the stage to present their businesses live, share their vision, and make their case in front of an experienced panel of judges and an engaged audience.

It was an evening built around bold ideas, entrepreneurial ambition, real-time feedback, and a shared excitement for what's being built right here on the Central Coast.

Meet the PitchFest26 Startups

This year's competition featured four startups representing a diverse range of industries and ideas:

ODIN Diagnostics presented its work in medical technology, focused on developing innovative diagnostic solutions designed to improve patient care.

Ecoplasticity brought sustainability to the stage with an approach centered on addressing plastic waste and creating more sustainable solutions for the future.

SoundDose showcased innovation at the intersection of sound, technology, and health.

MindClay presented its vision for using technology to support mental wellness and personal growth.

Each founder had the opportunity to introduce their company, explain the problem they are working to solve, and demonstrate why their approach has the potential to make an impact.

And the PitchFest26 Winner Is...

After four compelling pitches, ODIN Diagnostics was named the PitchFest26 Champion.

Led by Connor Heffler, ODIN Diagnostics stood out with a strong pitch, clear vision, and thoughtful approach to both technology and market opportunity.

PitchFest challenges founders to communicate something incredibly complex in just a few minutes. They need to clearly define a problem, demonstrate why their solution matters, explain the market opportunity, and show why their team is positioned to succeed.

ODIN Diagnostics made those minutes count, earning the top spot in a competitive field of promising startups.

Meet the Judges

PitchFest is not only an opportunity to present a business. It is also a chance for founders to receive feedback and perspective from experienced leaders who understand what it takes to build, fund, and scale a company.

This year's judging panel included:

Dr. Burton Tripathi, CEO of bioProtonics, a technology leader with decades of experience developing, funding, and scaling disruptive technologies across medtech and surgical innovation.

Kezi Cheng, a mission-driven entrepreneur focused on developing scalable solutions to plastic waste and sustainability challenges.

Kelly Mooney, Founder and CEO of Equipt Women, an entrepreneur, former agency CEO, author, and business leader with extensive experience building and scaling organizations.

Together, the judges brought perspectives spanning entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, leadership, sustainability, fundraising, and company building.

More Than Five Minutes on Stage

The pitches may be short, but the purpose behind PitchFest goes much further.

For participating founders, the event provides an opportunity to put their ideas in front of investors, experienced operators, industry leaders, and potential collaborators. It also gives them something every early-stage company needs: honest feedback.

For the audience, PitchFest offers a firsthand look at the process of building and communicating a startup. Attendees get to see how founders define a problem, position a solution, explain their market, and respond when their ideas are challenged.

And for the broader community, the event provides a glimpse at the companies and entrepreneurs who could help shape the next generation of innovation on the Central Coast.

Building a Stronger Startup Community

PitchFest reflects one of the things at the heart of Ventech's mission: bringing the right people into the same room.

Founders need investors. Investors need promising companies. Entrepreneurs need mentors, collaborators, customers, and peers. And sometimes the connection that moves an idea forward starts with a conversation at an event like this one.

By creating opportunities for emerging companies to step into the spotlight, receive feedback, and connect with the broader business community, PitchFest helps strengthen the network supporting entrepreneurship throughout our region.

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Thank You for Making PitchFest26 Possible

Congratulations to ODIN Diagnostics and Connor Heffler on taking home the PitchFest26 title, and to Ecoplasticity, SoundDose, and MindClay for stepping onto the stage and sharing what they're building with our community.

Thank you to our judges, Dr. Burton Tripathi, Kezi Cheng, and Kelly Mooney, for lending their time, experience, and perspective to this year's founders.

We'd also like to thank Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy LLP and Solera & Co., whose support helped make the evening possible, with Solera & Co. providing complimentary food and beverages for attendees.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us at the Cabrillo Pavilion and continues to support the entrepreneurs, innovators, and ideas emerging across the Central Coast.

PitchFest is about giving great ideas a stage, and we can't wait to see where this year's founders go next.