Seattle, WA – August 21, 2025 – Over two unforgettable days, Keiretsu Forum’s Investor Capital Expo brought together an elite network of investors, visionary entrepreneurs, and influential thought leaders under one roof at the iconic Washington Athletic Club. As the largest and fastest-growing angel network in the U.S., Keiretsu Forum once again delivered an unmatched experience designed to spark capital connections, shape the future of private equity, and accelerate innovation across industries.
With 713 investors attending in person and virtually from across the U.S., the Expo proved to be a magnet for early-stage funding and thought leadership. Across two high-energy days, 18 pre-vetted companies, ranging from deep tech and AI to healthcare and consumer products, pitched breakthrough solutions, sparking 832 recorded investor interests and countless post-pitch conversations that set the tone for upcoming deals.
Day One: Power Matching & Family Office Synergy
Day One was thoughtfully curated for family offices and institutional investors, beginning with a Power Matching Exchange, a signature Keiretsu Forum format that pairs entrepreneurs with relevant investors based on interest, sector, and stage alignment. These pre-arranged meetings allowed for meaningful one-on-one interactions, offering both sides a rare opportunity to cut through the noise and dive into what matters: strategic value alignment.
Matthew Le Merle, Managing Partner & CEO at Fifth Era & Blockchain Coinvestors, gave the opening keynote on Future of FinTech, Blockchain & AI Investments. Next we had the CVC Investment Panel with Angela Taylor (Founder & Managing Partner at Accelerate Growth Solutions) as the moderator, while the panel included Jim Chi (President at Oregon Sports Angels), Peng-Sang Cau (Portfolio Development Executive – Startups & Incubators), Kate Niedermeyer (Principal, Corporate Venture Capital and Innovation at Amazon Web Services), and Masao Koyama (Senior Vice President at Mitsubishi Corporation).
Sherwood Neiss (Managing General Partner at D3VC.ai) shared his insights on The Future of Crowdfunding. We also had Cultivating the NextGen Family Office Panel, moderated by Amy L Brodsky (Founder and CEO Chair at Sky Consulting), and Adam Jacobs (Founding Partner at The Jacobs Scheriff Group), Caleb Tannehill (Founding Partner at Three Bay Capital), and Tallulah Le Merle (Partner, AI Investments at Fifth Era Partners) as the panelists.
The Family Office Investment Outlook Panel consisted of Nathan McDonald (Chairman at Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies) as the moderator, and the panel included Bryant Hayward (Chief Investment Officer at De La Prym – Single Family Office), Neal Bloom (Managing Partner at Rising Tide Partners), Stephen Kuhn (Founder & Managing Partner at Advantary LLC), and Trey Natherson (Chief Executive Office at NobleNest).
We also had the AI Investment Outlook Panel with Vamsi Sistla (Founder at Stealth Startups), Monte Gibbs (Founder, Product & AI Officer at Sapience AI), and Stacey Engle (CEO at Twin Protocol) as the panelists, and Dusty Majumdar (CEO at PredxBio) as the moderator.
Day Two: High-Caliber Deal Flow & Insights
On Day Two, the event shifted into full momentum as 18 early-stage companies delivered polished presentations to an engaged audience of thousands. These companies were carefully vetted by Keiretsu Forum’s selection committee based on their innovation, traction, and growth potential. The hybrid format ensured both in-person attendees and online investors had real-time access to the pitches, company decks, and Q&As.
After Nathan McDonald’s opening remarks, Pat Gouhin (CEO at Angel Capital Association) took the stage to share his thoughts on Investment Policy Tailwinds from Washington, DC. Brianna McDonald (President of Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies) spoke on Why I Am - A Private Investor Perspective, and after the lunch break, Amy L Brodsky (CEO at Sky Partners) shared her expertise on The Habit High Performers Master: Embracing Difficult Conversations. Robert Ricciardelli was the concluding keynote speaker, sharing his insights on Intentional Evolution.
Recognizing Excellence: Awards that Celebrate Innovation
Before drawing the curtains, the Expo featured a celebratory awards ceremony, recognizing the most exceptional participants. Mussel Polymers won the Most Valued Company award, based on investor votes. PredxBio and Inmedix made it a tight contest but ended as second and third runners-up, respectively. The Most Valued Member award was presented to Richard Lupfer for his collaborative spirit and leadership in the investment community. Clark Tedford, President & CEO at Lumithera, was recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year for his vision and leadership.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Brianna McDonald shared:
“Every year, the Investor Capital Expo reminds us of the incredible power of bringing the right people together - entrepreneurs building the future, and investors with the experience and capital to turn the vision into reality. The Summer edition was filled with momentum and promise. We’re proud to support deal flow that builds a stronger ecosystem.”
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Investor Capital Expo raised the bar for what’s possible in early-stage investing. With new partnerships formed, diligence teams activated, and capital in motion, the Expo reaffirmed Keiretsu Forum’s role as a vital bridge between visionary founders and mission-driven investors.
The strong networking in the expo, the free-flowing ideas, and the incredible innovation on display are proof that the future of private equity is personal, purposeful, and powered by community, and Keiretsu Forum is leading the charge.
