The Launchpad Expo series is Venture Mechanics’ signature venture conference, showcasing startups from a range of verticals—AI, ClimateTech, Aerospace/Drone, Consumer/CPG, FinTech, Manufacturing Automation, Health Sciences, DefenseTech, AgTech/FireTech, Web3, PropTech, InsureTech, EdTech, and more.

Each Launchpad Expo features 10 presenting startups selected by sector experts.  Five first-round presenting companies will each receive 22 minutes on stage - 10 minutes to pitch, 8 minutes of judges Q&A, and 4 minutes of audience Q&A.  Another five, second-round of companies will each present a shorter 5-minute pitch with 3 minutes of Q&A. All ten startups also have a demo table where they can entertain investor interest during the extensive afterparty.

Selection Process for Presenting Companies:

• Startups may begin applying two months prior to the event date, with a deadline of 4 weeks prior to the event date.
• Judges with expertise in the sector will select 5 first round and 5 second round presenting companies 2-3 weeks before the event date.
• In the final 2-3 weeks the judges and our staff will work with the presenting companies to perfect their pitches.  

Judges for this event: TBA

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​Event Day Schedule

​1:00 Registration​ and Networking

2:00 Welcome to Venture Mechanics, and introduction of conference chair Aloke Gupta
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​2:15 Keynote Speaker: Nikesh Parekh

‍2:45 First Round Company Presentations
2:50 Company 1
​3:13 Company 2
​3:36 Company 3
​4:00 Break
4:20 Company 4
5:23 Company 5
5:46 Judges deliberation during break; audience crowdvote
​5:55 1st Round Winners announced

‍6:00 2nd Round Company Presentations‍
6:02 Company 1
6:11 Company 2
6:20 Company 3
6:29 Company 4
6:38 Closing remarks and upcoming events
6:45 Investor/founder mixer afterparty. Light dinner served while investors can spend the evening visiting with founders at their demo tables.

Seattle's only venture conference devoted to Consumer and CPG

Join us for a full day dedicated to the region’s most promising early-stage Consumer and CPG startups.  With over 20% of recent local angel investment flowing into the consumer sector, this event reflects the growing momentum behind early-stage brands across categories including food and beverage, personal care, consumer electronics, marketplaces, home goods, and retail innovation.

Ten carefully selected startups will present their businesses to an expert panel and a room of peers, mentors, and early-stage investors. Whether you're building, advising, or investing in high-growth consumer brands, this is an opportunity to connect with the people shaping the future of the sector in our region.

​Schedule

​1:00-1:30 PM Registration​

1:30-1:45 PM Conference Opening and Introductions

Ron Wiener, Chief Mechanic @ Venture Mechanics
Greta Remington, CMO @ Venture Mechanics

1:45 - 2:30 PM Keynote Speaker: Cameron Gould-Saltman
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Cameron Gould-Saltman is a CPG growth leader and angel investor with 15+ years of experience scaling food and beverage brands across e-commerce and retail.  Most recently, he served as Head of Food & Beverage at TikTok Shop, where he built and led one of the platform’s fastest-growing verticals connecting emerging brands, creators, and consumers through social commerce.

Previously at Amazon Fresh, Cameron led high-impact category and innovation teams, launching programs like “Just Walk Out” retail tech and Amazon’s local brand discovery platform.  His work has driven triple-digit growth across complex grocery categories and shaped how modern consumers discover and shop for food.

Having mentored at numerous incubators and accelerators including The Hatchery Chicago, The Food Foundry, and SKU, Cameron is known for his founder-first mindset, deep industry insight, and relationship-driven approach.  He speaks frequently on creator-led growth, retail disruption, and the future of food.

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Judges: TBA

Five highly-vetted Consumer/CPG startups will compete for top spot. Each of the companies will have 12 minutes to pitch, followed by 8 minutes of Q&A with the investor panel, and 8 minutes of Q&A with LPs in the audience.​

2:35 - 3:05 Company 1
3:05 - 3:35 Company 2
-- Break --
3:50 - 4:20 Company 3
4:20 - 4:50 Company 4
4:50 - 5:20 Company 5
5:20 - 5:30 Judges award Best Investment Opportunity
-- Break —

​Second Round Presentations

​Five highly-vetted Consumer/CPG startups that are earlier in stage will each present to draw investors to their tables immediately after the stage portion of the event. Each of the companies will have 3 minutes to pitch, followed by 3 minutes of Q&A with the investor panel.​

​5:45 - 5:51 Company 6
5:52 - 5:58 Company 7
5:59 - 6:05 Company 8
6:06 - 6:12 Company 9
6:13 - 6:19 Company 10
6:20 - 6:30 Closing Remarks

​Afterparty

​Investors and founders can visit together at the companies' demo tables in the Embraer Room, while a light dinner and adult beverages are served.

​Details​

Parking is always free and easy at Venture Mechanics. Please arrive by 1PM. On-stage portion of the event runs from 1:30 to 6:30 PM with breaks. Light dinner and adult beverages will be served at 6:30pm. Guests are welcome to stay until 8:30 to visit with the startup founders at their respective demo tables.​We look forward to seeing you there!​
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