Founders, investors, and industry leaders are coming together to promote and celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and community for the first-ever Irvine Tech Day on the second weekend of May.

The packed agenda includes an exclusive Entrepreneurs Reception, a fireside chat, keynote speakers, panel discussions, pop-up market with startup businesses, and a big pitch contest amongst the top founders in the Irvine area.

“Irvine continues to lead as a hub for technology and innovation,” said Irvine City Councilmember William Go (District 2). “Irvine Tech Day is a powerful example of what happens when founders, investors, and community leaders come together. Irvine has long demonstrated that we are leading the way in building the next generation of technology here at home, and this event showcases the talent, capital, and collaboration that make it possible.”

This celebration starts Thursday, May 7, with the Entrepreneurs Reception. The kickoff gathering requires advance registration and is expected to draw some of the top innovators, entrepreneurs and community leaders in the area.

Friday’s big day starts at 9 a.m. at City Hall Chambers, where there will be a fireside chat with Imran Currim, Distinguished Professor at UC Irvine and Executive Director of the Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Following opening remarks from Councilmember Go, there will be two panels. First, industry leaders will share insights about innovation in Irvine. Then, panelists will explore strategies for sustainable business growth in Irvine through entrepreneurship.

While that’s going on inside City Hall, there also will be a Pop-Up Irvine vendor expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Hall Piazza and Lobby featuring products from local startups.

Friday afternoon, activity shifts to Sunstone headquarters. Downstairs in the Courtyard, founders will have a chance to connect with experienced industry leaders, practice their pitching skills, and gain valuable advice for their startups at the Mentor Mixer from noon to 1 p.m.

Upstairs at the Sunstone Stage, experience our first-ever community pitch competition at the Pitch Irvine Semi-Finals, created in collaboration with the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center. From 1 to 4 p.m., watch as innovative founders in the area make their pitch for investment and support. The competition will be conducted on four tracks of focus – Applied AI, Healthcare Innovation, Energy & Mobility, and DTC & Commerce.

Those who make it through the semi-finals will go back to City Hall, where the Grand Finale will take place in council chambers at 4:30 p.m. where finalists will pitch to a panel of judges.

Each track winner will receive a $1,000 prize and all finalists will be eligible for a People’s Choice Award, with another $1,000 prize determined by audience voting.

“As part of Irvine Tech Day, Pitch Irvine is about community, connection, and momentum,” said Ryan Foland, Director of the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center. “We’re bringing students, founders, and investors together on one stage to celebrate people who are building and creating. It gives student entrepreneurs a clear view of the local ecosystem and how to get involved, so when they’re ready to launch, Irvine is where they choose to do it.”

Irvine Tech Day could not take place without the support of sponsors and partners. Major thanks to our community of supporters: UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center, Councilmember Go, Sunstone Investment, American Lending Center, Vice Mayor James Mai, Councilmember Melinda Liu (District 1), Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco (District 5), UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, Greater Irvine Chamber, Asian American Museum at Great Park, Alliance for SoCal Innovation, OC Startup Council, TCVN, TiE Los Angeles, Orange County Business Journal, the LA Venture Association, TCA Venture Group Orange County, and City of Hope Walk for Hope.

After all that brain exercise, health and wellness is called for at the third annual Irvine Dream Run at the Great Park on May 9. Pre-registration is open now here, and you can use code ITD_26 for 20% off your tickets.

The 5K will start at 7:30 a.m. at the Great Park near the Great Park Balloon followed by a family-friendly unicorn-themed 3K in honor of our local startup unicorns. There also will be a post-race expo featuring live music, food trucks and more. Proceeds from the run go to the charitable Sunstone Community Fund, which supports startups and entrepreneurs in the community.

Each event requires registration to attend, but you can complete registration for everything – including applying for the Pitch Irvine startup competition, joining as an expo vendor, and signing up for the Irvine Dream Run – by visiting www.irvinetechday.org.

About Sunstone

Sunstone Investment Group, headquartered in southern California, is the holding company for the Sunstone family of entities, including: Sunstone Investment Management Services, responsible for administrative services; Sunstone Advisors, an SEC-registered investment adviser, which oversees Sunstone Venture Partners LLC, a private capital fund manager; Sunstone Cities, a government economic development consulting firm; and Sunstone Community Fund, a charitable organization that supports entrepreneurship. Sunstone is dedicated to enriching lives through investment, entrepreneurship, and community. Email us at contact@sunstoneinvestment.com.

About American Lending Center Holdings Inc.

American Lending Center Holdings Inc. (ALC) is a mission-driven, private, non-bank lender committed to expanding access to capital, creating jobs, and driving sustainable economic growth across the United States. As a federally designated EB-5 regional center, ALC partners with investors to revitalize communities, create jobs, and finance sustainable projects that strengthen local economies—especially in underserved areas.

ALC is dedicated to advancing innovation and sustainability by supporting startups and projects in sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, and rural healthcare. At ALC, we believe in building stronger communities by fostering entrepreneurship, leveraging global investment, and creating opportunities that empower future generations.

Follow American Lending Center on LinkedIn, JD Supra, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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Founders, investors, and industry leaders are coming together to promote and celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and community for the first-ever Irvine Tech Day on the second weekend of May.