Attend | Flywheel Investment Conference

Flywheel is Washington's
Meeting Place for Entrepreneurs and Investors

The Flywheel Investment Conference is more than an event—it’s a catalyst for innovation and economic growth in the Pacific Northwest. Each year, we bring together hundreds of founders, funders, and community leaders to fuel early-stage companies with capital, mentorship, and powerful connections.

Whether you’re launching your next venture or looking to invest in the future, Flywheel is where big ideas gain momentum.

Flywheel Investment Conference

May 21 - May 23

Across multiple locations in the Wenatchee Valley

Tickets are only $299 for all three days.

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CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

Welcome Reception

Kick off Flywheel with a guided hike in the Wenatchee Foothills, offering scenic views and networking in nature. In the evening, join us for the a winery Welcome Reception, overlooking the Columbia River. Sip local wine and socialize with investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders as they arrive in town.

THURSDAY, MAY 22

Main Conference Day

Thursday is packed! Exhibitor booths, investor panels, and industry leaders who will cover agtech, energy, aerospace, and more. A networking luncheon fuels discussions, and the day ends with Toast Around Town, our famous networking pub crawl through downtown Wenatchee with hosted food and drinks.

FRIDAY, MAY 23

Investment Competition

The Top Six Competition features live startup pitches for over $150,000 in investment, interwoven with inspiring keynotes from successful CEOs. The conference concludes with the Winner Celebration, where the grand prize recipient is announced, followed by a final networking send-off.

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MEET THE TOP SIX

These finalists are vying for $200,000+ in investment awards and prizes.

Grace & Able

Sarah Dillingham

Grace & Able empowers women with arthritis with FDA-approved, patented pain-relieving joint support that looks and feels more like apparel than a medical device.

LensBase

Mark Morarie

Simply the smartest way to put in your contacts.

MarineSitu

James Joslin

MarineSitu is enabling sustainable growth in the Blue Economy by providing real-time insights about marine environments to help customers meet their performance, monitoring, and compliance needs.

NewGem Foods

Matthew de Bord

NewGem Foods is the original creator and patent holder of 100% plant-based wraps made from real vegetables and fruits, offering a low-calorie, flour-free alternative to tortillas, bread, wraps, and new innovative healthier snack products.

OoNee

Aaron Huang

Transforming an ecological threat into premium seafood: land-based sea urchin ranching that regenerates kelp forests and creates scalable, high-value products for global markets.

Pioneer Biofuels

Michael Sheehan

Pioneer Biofuels is making organic waste management into a profit center, overhauling the economics of anaerobic digestion by increasing biogas production by 50% and reducing capex by 25%.

conference SPEAKERS

DETAILED Agenda

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

Guided hike of Saddle Rock

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

1130 Circle St, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Enjoy scenic views during this guided hike with a local expert from Wenatchee Outdoors. This is a 3-mile hike with 900' in elevation gain.

Welcome Reception at Circle 5 Winery

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

3400 10th St SE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802

Network with investors and entrepreneurs from across the Pacific Northwest while enjoying views of the Columbia River.

THURSDAY, MAY 22

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM all events are at the Wenatchee Convention Center

121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Recommended parking is on Columbia street.

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Exhibitor Booth Viewing

Meet with startups, professional services providers, and more!

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Entrepreneur Pathways: How Universities Spark Innovation

Learn how Washington Universities fostering entrepreneurship and startup programs. Featuring: University of Washington and Western Washington University.

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Making Deals in Washington: How Investors Are Powering Startups

Meet the investors making deals for founders in Washington State, from Tri-Cities to Seattle. Featuring: Alliance of Angels, FUSE, FUSE Fund, Tri-Cities Angel Alliance.

12:00 PM - 1:10 PM

Farm to Table Luncheon: AgTech Innovators Shaping the Future, sponsored by Freestone Capital

Enjoy a buffet lunch and networking. Hear from the game-changing leaders in AgTech innovation. Featuring: Carbon Robotics, Voyager Capital, and innov8.ag

1:45 PM - 2:25 PM

Women in AI: Leading the Next Frontier

Learn about the AI ecosystem in Washington State and how that compares across the US. Enjoy a discussion on how women-led startups are pioneering the future of the AI economy. Featuring: WTIA, Certifi AI, Barclo Venture Studios and Subi.

2:25 PM - 3:05 PM

The Charge Ahead: Powering the Future of Energy

The changing landscape in the way we source and fuel our homes, cars, and businesses. Featuring: Group14 Technologies, PNNL, Chelan County PUD.

3:20 PM - 4:00 PM Markets in Aerospace: Reshoring and Resupplying for Growth

How can Washington’s aerospace startups and manufacturers scale in a shifting global landscape? Featuring: Stoke Space, PacAero, and Central Washington University.

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Toast Around Town, sponsored by AEM Movement

Network and pub crawl your way through beautiful downtown Wenatchee! We've rented three venues for your enjoyment, with free food and beverages at each location: