PortTech Expo
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks at the fourth annual PortTechEXPO (photo by Kelsey Duckett)
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told the over 200 people in attendance at the fourth annual PortTechEXPO, themed ‘Global Technology Solutions for Ports and Beyond,’ that looking around the room, he sees “success.”
He urged those in attendance to make connections, network and be a part of the movement to create “green jobs.” He encouraged entrepreneurship, saying that “one in 200 people in Los Angeles is an entrepreneur.”
“Generating green jobs and creating a more environmentally friendly Los Angeles is vitally important to our future,” Garcetti said. “PortTech Los Angeles is a great opportunity for business and government to explore how they can work together to achieve our goals of a clean and prosperous city, region and world.”
The event, held at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles on 110 E. 22nd Street was organized by PortTech Los Angeles. The Expo focused on connecting the business community, entrepreneurs and investors to explore new environmental, energy, transportation and security technology innovations and solutions for the maritime industry and beyond.
Garcetti said that “being a good neighbor is key to success.”
The Federal Maritime Commission kicked off the event with a speech and presentation by Chairman Mario Cordero, who was appointed as FMC Chairman by President Barack Obama last April.
Cordero said that “environmental sustainability is now part of the discussion no matter the industry.” He added that “The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach’s Clean Action Plan is a model for other ports.”
“Organizations such as PortTech Los Angeles, and events such as this, are generating the ideas for a cleaner tomorrow.”
PortTech Los Angeles is a non-profit “business incubator” focused on fostering and creating new and clean technology for potential use at the San Pedro Bay port complex.
“We bring together entrepreneurs, strategic partners and investors to accelerate innovation, advance clean technologies and create economic opportunities,” said PortTech Los Angeles Executive Director Stan Tomsic. “We promote and develop technologies that enable enterprises to meet their environmental, energy, security and transportation goals.”
The group was originally established as a collaboration of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles and the San Pedro and Wilmington Chambers of Commerce, then in 2010, PortTech Los Angeles produced its first expo and hasn’t looked back.
“Now in its fourth year, PortTechEXPO has proved to be extremely valuable for businesses and entrepreneurs looking for exposure and potential funding for their new and innovative clean technologies,” said Tomsic. “At PortTech Los Angeles, we’re all about accelerating innovation and making these connections.”
The Expo featured dozens of emerging clean technology exhibitors, live demonstrations of sustainable products and services, as well as interactive displays.
Cavotec’s video presentation and discussion was a favorite among guests. The group develops innovative technologies that improve safety, efficiency and sustainability worldwide. Cavotec’s CEO Ottonel Popesco led the discussion and said he looks forward to “brining innovation and jobs to the United States.”
Interim General Manager for Economic and Workforce Development Department, Jan Perry, told those in attendance that she has no doubt that “Los Angeles can be a leader in venture capital.”
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino also spoke at the event, and led the Clean Tech-Cool Tech afternoon segment.
An Entrepreneur Pitch Competition took place the day before the Expo and culminated during the Expo luncheon when the awards were announced. The top ten Pitch Competition finalists were also Expo exhibitors, with the winning pitch presented during the luncheon.
California’s State Controller John Chiang handed out the awards to the winners of the Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, with the grand prize going to ARES North America, a deployable technology solution for grid-scale energy storage.
ARES, was one of more than 50 companies that competed in the PortTech Los Angeles semifinals.
“This year’s entrants were stronger than ever,” said John Dmohowski, PortTech Los Angeles’ Director of Client Services. “The entrepreneurs gave excellent presentations on their clean technologies and also had very strong business plans. The competition was so close that we ended up with a tie and ultimately chose 11 finalists because we couldn’t narrow it down to 10.”
Entrepreneurs pitched clean technologies for the energy, environment, transportation and security sectors. Participating in the semifinals provided business owners with expert input on their pitches, advice on how to build and cultivate a board of directors and tips on what investors are looking for in a company.
