In this special episode of the podcast, host Neal Bloom takes us inside the Burbank Startup Pitch Fest - an exciting evening of innovation, capital, and community hosted in partnership with the City of Burbank and Rising Tide Partners.

We kick things off with a welcome from Burbank’s Economic Development team, highlighting why the city is fast becoming a tech and media hub. Neal then moderates a candid conversation with early-stage investors Amy Harmon (Innovent Capital) and Ben Kahan (Pegasus Angel Accelerator) about today’s venture landscape - from what they look for in a pre-seed deal to how AI and founder-market fit are shaping startup success.

Then, five founders take the stage to pitch their startups:

• KATSHID: A frictionless, passwordless biometric identity platform

• Geri Gadgets: Sensory tools supporting cognitive wellness in dementia and neurodivergent populations

• Blip Industries: Drone-powered logistics, imaging, and defense systems

• Health-e-Habits: Digital wellness programming helping families build mindful relationships with tech

• Aspivix (Winner): A modern, non-traumatic alternative to the gynecological tenaculum, improving IUD and reproductive care

From pitch insights to early-stage investing frameworks, this episode is packed with startup wisdom and a strong dose of real talk from the entrepreneurial front lines.

Recorded live at Burbank Startup Pitch Fest 2025.