Cal Poly startup GreenSight Technologies won $125,000 in equity-backed funding after being named the Investor Choice winner at the eighth annual AngelCon pitch competition on Thursday.
Hosted by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Small Business Development Center, AngelCon brings together tech-based startups from across the Central Coast to compete for funding to kickstart their businesses, said Niki Willians, AngelCon project coordinator.
Born out of a senior project class, GreenSight Technologies aims to reduce electronic waste by redirecting discarded electronics to places they can make the greatest impact, according to the company’s website.
“We’ve been working really hard and it’s starting to pay off,” said Jake Daniels, co-founder and CEO of GreenSight Technologies. “This is really just the beginning for us.”
Daniels said this funding enables the team to begin beta testing in new regions of the country, allowing them to travel in-person to testing facilities.
In addition to GreenSight Technologies, five other early-stage, tech-driven startups were named finalists for AngelCon in March: Castlelock Corporation, Essemble, Mr. Turtle, ODIN Diagnostics and VizualEyes.
Castlelock Corporation, GreenSight Technologies, Mr. Turtle and ODIN Diagnostics all originated within Cal Poly programs, such as CIE’s Summer Accelerator, Innovation Quest or senior class projects.
Each startup was given 10 minutes to pitch their company to the audience of 17 investors and about 200 hybrid attendees, according to a CIE press release. The event was live streamed on CIE’s YouTube channel and was held in person at Rod & Hammer Rock.
Additionally, ODIN Diagnostics took home the Audience Choice award. Throughout the evening, audience members donated a collective $2,000 via GoFundMe in support of the startup.
“I was so incredibly excited and it was such a steep competition,” said Mackenzie Kettwig, vice president of engineering at GreenSight Technologies. “I am so proud of our team and grateful for everyone to get us as far as we have.”
