Growth Capital Conference (gcc2000.org) is kind of the “granddaddy” of entrepreneur pitchfests on the Westside. GCC has been doing this since long before the term “Silicon Beach” entered the lexicon.
Every few months a handful of startups are given the opportunity to seek funds from a roomful of professional investors. These GCC events are held at the Olympic Collection at the corner of Olympic and Sawtelle.
The next event is July 31.
At a recent GCC event, several companies, ranging from mobile app developers to a manufacturer of completely recyclable pill bottles (made out of corn) to a new credit card designed to make it easier for immigrants to cash checks and send money back home, recently did their best to wow the crowd.
One company that generated lots of “oohs and aahs” was Santa Monica-based GrowthPoint Structures (www.growthpointschools.com). This company retrieves used metal shipping containers from Long Beach Port and converts them into portable school classrooms. A school can buy just one – or several – and they are completely stackable.
GrowthPoint must first convert the metal containers before they are usable by schools. But, once done, the classrooms are sturdy, with plenty of windows, nice flooring, walls and normal classroom amenities. The advantage to schools: These modular classrooms are much more affordable than the alternatives.
School systems from all around the country are making inquiries and the company is doing its best to keep up with demand. It has been suggested these shipping containers could also provide a creative solution to the problem of homelessness.
“It’s nice to see someone building something real,” said one observer.
Those making the pitches get to hear their presentations critiqued – on the spot – by knowledgeable judges. David Newman, co-chairman of the event, says comments made by the judges are invaluable to entrepreneurs willing to listen.
This most recent panel’s judges included: Greg Cullen of Harvard Investment Group; Terry Kay of Pasadena Angels; George Kenney of Shepherd Ventures; Jeff Lapin of Tech Coast Angels; Jo Anne Miller of Golden Seeds Angel Network; and John Morris of Vistage.
