NorCal AngelCon Finalists Feature Strong Medical and Life Science Presence

The Carlsen Center at Sacramento State has announced the finalists for the 2025 NorCal AngelCon, and this year’s list is especially relevant to the MedStart community. Of the four companies selected to pitch for investment on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:00–7:30 pm at Connect Labs (Aggie Square), three are medical or life science ventures.

Here is a summary of the finalists:

1. IntelVasc
A healthtech company focused on remote monitoring to detect vascular problems earlier and help prevent serious cardiovascular events. This aligns with broader trends in preventative care, remote patient monitoring, and reducing hospitalizations.

2. Matrubials
A life science startup developing milk-derived antimicrobial therapeutics, with an initial focus on women’s health and infectious disease. This is an example of translational research moving toward commercial application.

3. Xironetic
A medtech company offering an AR-enabled, portable surgical navigation platform. Its goal is to make image-guided procedures more accessible and affordable for hospitals and surgical centers that cannot invest in large, fixed systems.

4. Strived.io
An AI platform for education that turns student data into actionable insights for educators. While not in the medical sector, it demonstrates the event’s interest in scalable, data-driven technology.

Why This Is Significant for MedStart

• Market signal: When 3 of 4 finalists are in health, medtech, or life sciences, it indicates that regional angels are willing to back regulated and clinically oriented startups.

• Ecosystem validation: It highlights the strength of the Sacramento/Aggie Square innovation pipeline, where university research, clinical partners, and founders are connecting with capital.

• Founder takeaway: Medical and life science founders in the region should view AngelCon and similar events as realistic paths to early investment, especially when they can demonstrate clinical need, regulatory awareness, and a clear commercialization plan.

Event Details

• Event: NorCal AngelCon Final Pitch

• Host: Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

• Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:00–7:30 pm

• Location: Connect Labs by Wexford, Aggie Square, Sacramento

• Audience role: Attendees will also help select a $10,000 audience award.

What MedStart Community Members Can Do

• Attend to support the three health/life science finalists.

• Connect with the teams about pilots, advisory support, and regulatory/commercial readiness.

• Use this as a case study for how regional startups are positioning themselves to raise from local angel groups.

This announcement reinforces what MedStart has been tracking: the Greater Sacramento region is producing investable medical and life science companies, and investors are paying attention.