Los Angeles Celebrates 25 Years of Larta Institute

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today, Larta Institute, the nation's leading commercialization engine for science innovation and entrepreneurship, brings together leaders from its extended innovation and influence community at a VIP reception to reflect and share recent milestones in the organization's 25-year history helping realize technology solutions that feed, fuel, and heal the world.

A special celebration will bring leading influencers, entrepreneurs and government officials to the historic Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, December 6th.

Select guests of honor will speak to the importance of Los Angeles in stoking innovation and entrepreneurship, which encompasses Larta's work since 1993 in assisting early-stage entrepreneurs with commercialization services, and call attention to recent standout participants making great strides in important areas of impact.    

Speakers include Julie Rodriguez, State Director for the Office of Kamala D. Harris, who oversees operations across five district offices and serves as the Senator's principal representative among constituents and elected leaders throughout California. Rodriguez, who is the granddaughter of labor icon Cesar Chavez, worked in the Obama administration as principal deputy director of public engagement, senior policy advisor and special assistant to President Barack Obama.

"Building entrepreneurial strength in California rests on our ability to leverage our great state assets, like intellectual and human capital, nourished from California's diversity," she said. "We are proud of Larta Institute's solid track record of success in empowering early-stage companies with innovations that can better the world while strengthening our state and national economy."

Joining her in providing remarks will be Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, William Chun. Part of the economic development team under Mayor Garcetti since 2013, Chun has played an instrumental role in guiding the Mayor's economic agenda — which has helped cut L.A.'s unemployment rate in half, and created nearly 183,000 new jobs.

Other guests at the reception include Larta Distinguished Fellow Maria Contreras-Sweet, a leader in Los Angeles area business and former Cabinet Secretary as head of the Small Business Administration under President Obama, and key figures from LA BioMed, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC).

The evening will celebrate the work of Larta and the successes of its hundreds of portfolio companies over the years, who have benefited from the depth of the organizations commercialization services, close and personal mentorship from leading professional advisors, and access to its rich network of sector experts capable of furthering early-stage science-based entrepreneurs' professional needs.

Of particular note, three companies will share the stage at this year's event to speak to the level of impact they have achieved in life sciences, manufacturing, and resource management. They include:

Blue Forest Conservation, a company that champions financial innovation to sustainable solutions, also known as social impact bonds, which channel private capital into programs addressing public problems. BFC addresses climate challenges, particularly those impacting communities of need, and is currently focused on a large scale forest revitalization project. By scaling restoration treatments, the Forest Resilience Bond project can decrease the risk of severe wildfire while protecting air quality, water supply, rural communities, and habitat.

KeraMed Inc., a 2017 Tibbets Award-winning company based in Orange, CA, that has created significant economic and social impact through the use of SBIR/STTR funding by developing the first foldable and injectable artificial cornea. Keramed Inc. represents Larta Institute's groundbreaking pursuits in the life sciences.

3DEO, which was awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant in 2016 for 3DEO, a material science, additive technology company capable of manufacturing precise tools and materials for industry. 3DEO is on a mission to reduce cost, maximize efficiency and bring volume production to enable development of devices of tomorrow, and continuing the longstanding tradition of innovative manufacturing taking place in Los Angeles.

Reflecting on the organization's 25-year history and growth from a regional Los Angeles business acceleration organization to one fulfilling commercialization mandates from federal agencies and international efforts, Larta Institute CEO Rohit Shukla commented: "We are grateful to celebrate our work together with Larta's prestigious network, especially because our successes rest largely on a truly amazing network of expertise gathered around common purpose."

The Larta VIP Reception is a private event. For media passes please contact the communications team.
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About Larta Institute
Larta Institute, founded in Los Angeles in 1993, is an internationally recognized and mission-driven innovation accelerator that provides a runway of success for world-changing ideas in healthcare, agriculture and energy. Larta Institute has helped more than 10,000 companies transform ideas into commercialized innovations that feed, fuel and heal the world. With a global network of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, industry leaders, research institutions, government agencies and support organizations, Larta conducts commercialization assistance programs throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 countries. Follow us on Twitter @LartaInstitute.

SOURCE Larta Institute