Mock Investor Salon Winners

What is the Warm-Up Pitch?

The StartupSac Warm-Up Pitch is an initiative designed to help early-stage Sacramento startups refine their pitches and connect with experienced investors. Funded by an Innovation Grant from the City of Sacramento, the program provides participants with a comprehensive experience, including workshops, personalized coaching, and an opportunity to pitch to a panel of investor judges. The program culminates in the Mock Investor Salon, where startups present their business ideas in a competitive yet supportive environment, receiving invaluable feedback to sharpen their investor appeal. The program’s goal is to equip local startups with the tools and insights necessary to secure funding and grow their businesses.

This year’s third cohort of the Warm-Up Pitch concluded on December 12, 2024, with a Mock Investor Salon featuring six innovative startups. Each company delivered compelling presentations, showcasing the region’s entrepreneurial talent.

Winners of the Mock Investor Salon

The Mock Investor Salon concluded with two standout winners

First Place: IGH Naturals Presented by Rich Foreman, IGH Naturals introduced a patented formulation designed to alleviate the common side effects of chemotherapy, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and mucositis. By helping patients stay hydrated without IV support, the solution promises significant improvements in patient care.

Second Place: Storiel Presented by Meghana Seetharam, with co-founder Anil Muppalla, Storiel demonstrated an AI-driven platform that revolutionizes the story editing process. By offering deep narrative feedback, market insights, and hyper-realistic beta reader responses, Storiel helps creative writers produce polished, market-ready stories more efficiently.

Both winners earned recognition for their innovative solutions and strong presentations, underscoring their potential to make a significant impact in their respective fields.

The Esteemed Judges

The panel of judges for this year’s Mock Investor Salon brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the event:

Brooke Borseth, Moneta Ventures, is an Associate specializing in investment evaluations and portfolio support, with a background in social impact startups and consulting.
John Peters, Chairman of the Sacramento Angels, is an angel investor and former enterprise software General Manager with expertise in product management, R&D, and marketing.
Mariah Lichtenstern, DiverseCity Ventures, is the Founding Partner of DiverseCity Ventures, focusing on impactful entrepreneurship and fostering diversity in tech and venture capital.

These judges provided invaluable feedback to all participants, helping them refine their pitches and gain a deeper understanding of what investors look for in a startup.

Wrap-Up

The third cohort of the 2024 Warm-Up Pitch program demonstrated the immense potential within Sacramento’s entrepreneurial community. From innovative healthcare solutions to AI-powered platforms, the participating startups showcased diverse and impactful ideas. The program not only helped participants hone their pitches but also fostered connections with experienced investors and mentors.

With programs like the Warm-Up Pitch, Sacramento continues to establish itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The success of this cohort is a testament to the program’s value and the city’s commitment to supporting startups on their journey to success.