TechCon SoCal 2026 Announces Fourteen Shortlisted Startups for the Semifinal of the Startup Innovation Showcase

The Semifinal Pitch Event will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mintz, located at 3580 Carmel Mountain Rd, Suite 300, San Diego. To ensure a fair and inclusive selection process, startups will pitch in a hybrid environment, with some companies pitching in person while others virtually.

The Startup Innovation Showcase is TechCon SoCal's main platform for founders, giving selected startups the chance to pitch to over 100 investors, get direct investor matchmaking, and compete through quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. The overall winner will earn the chance to pitch for $1 million at the Startup World Cup.

Shortlisted Startups – Semifinal

Fourteen companies have been chosen through two quarterfinals and the Golden Ticket nomination process to present at the TechCon SoCal Startup Innovation Semifinal on April 16, 2026.

• MetaNeural – MetaNeural is developing an AI-XR platform to help industries train more safely with no-code, AI-built simulations.
• Bairitone Health – Bairitone Health removes the guesswork from sleep apnea care by bringing anatomy imaging to the home environment.
• MVI Medical – MVI Medical is transforming women's healthcare with Rosa Spec™, a patented device redefining the pelvic exam market.
• BioMetal Health – BioMetal Health delivers unique, patented resorbable metal implants to accelerate bone and tissue growth with less pain.
• EZ-Robot – EZ-Robot is a unified robotics & AI platform that engages 10x more students and slashes prototyping time by up to 90%
• Joy of Wine Company – Joy of Wine Company automates winery compliance filings with AI-driven reporting to save time and reduce costs.
• Ascender Systems – Ascender Systems is developing robotic climbers to help utilities restore awareness with modular, solar-powered sensors.
• OxyLo – OxyLo is developing a therapeutic to treat liver cancer patients by starving their tumors from the inside out.
• Time Machine – AI Native Onboarding & Training Platform for Sales Teams
• RitualAds – Ritual Ads is an AI commercial studio producing faster, cost-efficient brand campaigns for major brands.
• Visicell – GPS for Cell Therapy: Data-driven measurement of therapeutic cell behavior to accelerate development and outcomes
• TR11 – TRL11 offers telepresence to space so operators can control, monitor, protect & defend space assets with real-time video.
• HyIvy Health – HyIvy Health develops a data-driven device platform to measure, monitor, and treat gynecological and pelvic conditions.
• ReRoute Americas – ReRoute Americas is a wholesaler, distributor and inventory manager for sustainable disposables powered by AI.

Startup Selection Committee

The shortlisted startups will be pitching to an experienced Startup Selection Committee composed of investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders with deep expertise in technology, venture capital, and innovation.

• La Keisha Landrum Pierre – Emmeline Ventures
• Peyman Shahmirzadi – Peachscore
• Misti Cain – Techstars
• Ashok Kamal – NuFund Venture Group
• Ralph Morales III – Aquillius
• Eric Weiss – Chaos to Clarity

"This selection process is intentionally rigorous and multi-stage, designed to identify not just compelling ideas, but companies with real potential to grow and make a meaningful impact," said Faisal Mushtaq, Founder & CEO of TechCon Global. "What stands out this year is the breadth and depth of innovation—from AI and robotics to digital health, life sciences, and space technologies—reflecting both the quality of founders and the diversity of domains shaping the future."