The stage was set, the energy high, and the ideas groundbreaking as VABA hosted Pitch Perfect Season 3 on October 24, 2024, at Sonesta Silicon Valley. This year’s competition brought together over 250 attendees, including startups, angel investors, industry leaders, and the powerhouse team behind VABA Venture Capital. With participants from the US, Vietnam, and beyond, Pitch Perfect Season 3 became a cross-continental celebration of innovation, networking, and opportunity.
A Powerhouse Event with Global Reach
This Pitch Perfect Season 3 featured nine startups with groundbreaking solutions in fields like AI, transportation, sustainable design, and advanced manufacturing. The event drew significant interest from over 20 investors and key players in the venture capital world, including VABA’s dedicated investment arm, VABA Venture Capital, which provided strategic mentorship and was actively scouting for promising investments.
Nine Game-Changing Startups Take Center Stage
At the heart of Pitch Perfect Season 3 was the high-stakes pitch competition where nine visionary startups took the stage to showcase their ideas before a panel of ten esteemed investors. Each founder had a limited window to win over the panel and the audience with their revolutionary solutions. Here’s a glimpse at the startups that made waves:
Taelor
Founder: Phoebe Tan
Website: taelor.ai
An AI-powered styling, rental, and resale service for men, Taelor is redefining men’s fashion through a subscription model designed to simplify style for busy professionals.
BoxNearBy
Founder: Jenny Zhang
Website: boxnearby.com
BoxNearBy provides a global locker network, making product pickups and drop-offs accessible and secure worldwide, transforming last-mile logistics.
Ryvid
Co-Founder: Vincent Nguyen
Website: ryvid.com
Ryvid focuses on sustainable urban transportation with its innovative line of electric motorcycles, showcasing a new direction in eco-friendly mobility.
Shin Starr
Founder: Jay Shin
Website: shinstarr.com
Shinstarr is revolutionizing the food industry with a food robotics truck that automates the Korean BBQ experience, blending tradition with modern technology.
Palari
Co-Founders: Basil & Bella
Website: palari.com
Specializing in 3D-printed, sustainable homes, Palari is committed to eco-friendly living solutions that make responsible housing more accessible.
Varon
Founder: Felipe Varon
Website: varon.aero
Varon is pioneering sustainable urban air mobility with aerial vehicles aimed at transforming urban transportation and reducing congestion.
Lumys Group
Founder: Duc Quach
Website: lumysgroup.com
A glass manufacturing company focused on sustainable, high-quality glass solutions for architecture and industry.
GuidenAI
Founder: Katelyn Ho
Website: guidenai.com
GuidenAI is an AI-driven travel app that personalizes travel recommendations, simplifying the planning process by curating experiences for users.
Dub Prime
Co-Founders: Vincent & Douglas
Website: dubprime.com
Dub Prime’s AI solutions support banks and lenders, enhancing financial accessibility and helping underprivileged borrowers.
Insightful Panel, Demos, and Keynote Address
The Pitch Perfect Season 3 competition featured an esteemed panel of ten industry leaders and investors, each bringing valuable insights and expertise to the event. The panel included Victor Duong, Vice Chairman of VABA, whose strategic vision for VABA Venture Capital set the tone for a high-impact evening; John Curtis, President and CEO of Bank of the Orient, and Albion Calaj, Managing Partner at Dardania Ventures, both of whom offered keen perspectives on scaling businesses. The panel also welcomed Dan Emani, CEO of Pacific Coast Petroleum, and Mariane Bekker, Managing Partner at Founders Bay, each sharing strategic advice rooted in years of industry experience. Adding depth to the investment-focused discussions were Pablo Grodnitzky, Managing Partner at Advantary Capital Partners, and Erik Larsen, SVP at Umpqua Bank, who provided guidance on financial readiness and growth. Sophie Liao, Founding Partner at Republic Venture Fund, and Christina Bui, Managing Director at Robert Half, brought a diverse perspective on market expansion and operational strategies, while Thomas Vallely, Chairman of Fulbright University Vietnam, delivered a powerful keynote on the role of resilience and purpose in entrepreneurship. This distinguished panel’s feedback and mentorship created a memorable, high-caliber experience for all startups and attendees.
Product Demos from 20 Innovative Companies
In addition to the nine competing startups, 20 companies showcased demos of their products and services, allowing attendees to experience cutting-edge solutions firsthand. Companies such as Prokopark (Thomas Li), Hot Boi Chili Oil (Alex Nguyen), Boosted Reality (Steven Holmes), and Mavens Creamery (Tony Lam) shared their unique offerings, while Umpqua Bank (Erik Larsen) and Vietspark + VUFF (Hanh Mai) added depth to the event. This diverse showcase highlighted VABA Venture Capital’s commitment to supporting a wide range of industries and fostering cross-industry innovation.
The event also included live demos, with Ryvid’s electric motorcycles and Shin Starr’s robotics truck capturing attention, along with Lumys Group’s innovative glass technology. Attendees enjoyed hands-on experiences that brought each product’s potential to life.
Photos by Debra Cheung @misterdebs
Join Us for the Next Season of Pitch Perfect
With the success of Pitch Perfect Season 3, VABA Venture Capital is excited to continue expanding this platform and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or enthusiast, Pitch Perfect offers an invaluable opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of innovation.
Contact Information
For more information on VABA, VABA Venture Capital, and future Pitch Perfect events, reach out:
Email: info@vabaus.com
Phone: (408) 295-3262
Address: 1211 Embarcadero, Suite 202, Oakland, CA 94606
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