Investors, founders, and tech leaders will gather at The Aerospace Corporation Campus in El Segundo on Thursday, June 18, for StrictlyVC Los Angeles to explore critical shifts in venture capital, defence technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced industry. For forward-thinking executives navigating a volatile tech landscape, the exclusive event provides rare, direct access to the pioneers building, funding, and scaling the next generation of global businesses.
Attendees can expect candid, off-the-record conversations with a highly curated audience, delivering strategic insights that extend far beyond standard media headlines, podcasts, or social feeds.
Key Speakers and Industry Pioneers Taking the Stage
Kicking off the evening, Ethan Thornton, the founder of Mach Industries, will host a session titled “Built for a New Era of Defence Technology”. Thornton will offer his unique perspective on scaling a hard tech enterprise rapidly, highlighting how breakthroughs in autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and national security are reshaping the defence sector. His journey exemplifies a wider trend of ambitious entrepreneurs tackling complex physical challenges in fast-evolving fields.
Following this, Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund and Saif Khawaja of Shinkei Systems will take the stage. The duo will dive into the rapid ascent of physical AI, exploring how innovations in robotics, automation, and machine learning are unlocking new ways to revolutionise the physical world. Their talk will provide crucial insights into building and scaling physical, deep-tech innovations that extend far beyond software.
Adding to the high-profile lineup, Carter Reum, co-founder and partner at M13, will present a session titled “Finding the Next Big Thing”. Reum plans to dissect how artificial intelligence is transforming legacy industries and explain how venture capitalists are looking past temporary market hype to back resilient, long-term businesses. He will also share strategic views on where the most impactful innovations lie and how venture models must adapt to emerging technology categories.
Expanding Agenda and Networking Opportunities
The StrictlyVC Los Angeles event schedule is set to expand, with further high-profile speakers and panel topics to be unveiled in the coming days. Industry professionals can track these updates to stay informed on the evolving agenda.
Aside from the structured panel discussions, the summit is intentionally designed to foster high-value networking among the main drivers of tech and venture capital innovation. Throughout the evening, delegates will connect directly with founders, prominent investors, and key operators in a setting built for collaborative dialogue. Whether the objective is expanding professional networks, gathering market intelligence, or spotting early-stage opportunities, the event provides value far beyond the main stage.
