Tech BBQ Throwdown | WTIA

🔥 The BBQ battle of the summer is back!

The WTIA Tech BBQ Throwdown is a rooftop showdown where Seattle’s startup ecosystem comes to eat, compete, and connect. Join founders, investors, and tech builders for an afternoon of sizzling sliders, homemade sauces, and grill-side games — all with a backyard party vibe.

Thanks to our partners for making this event possible!

Washington Technology Industry Association

Crowd Cow

Creative Destruction Lab

UW CoMotion

​🔥 Three teams enter the ring:

Team Startup: Pradnya Desh, Udam Dewaraja, Apurva Luty, MH Lines

Team Angel Investor: Jenn Henry, Peter Vierthaler, Danna Redmond, Carrie Cowan

Team Venture Capitalist: Brook Borseth, Mack Hopen, Yoko Okana, Joe King

Grab a plate, cast your vote, and cheer on your favorites as they battle for BBQ glory in our Best Burger and BBQ Sauce competitions.

🍔🥇 Good food, great people, and just enough chaos to keep it fun.

Spots are limited (75–100 attendees).
Whether you're grilling or just here for the grub, we’d love to have you.

Date & Time:

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Food served at 3:30 PM)

📍 Location

UW CoMotion – Fluke Hall Rooftop

TEAM STARTUP

Pradnya Desh
Founder & CEO - Advocat AI

Udam Dewaraja
Founder & CEO - StitcherAI

Apurva Luty
Founder & CEO - Optimly

MH Lines
Product Leader & CEO - Stack Moxie

TEAM ANGEL INVESTORS

Jenn Wrenn Henry
Managing Partner - VentureUs

Peter Vierthaler
CEO - Synergy Investments

Danna Redmond
Founding Member and Deal Lead - FBomb Angels

Carrie Cowan
Angel Investor - The Council

TEAM VC

Brook Borseth
Investor - FUSE

Mack Hopen
EIR - Acequia Capital

Yoko Okano
Founding Partner - First Row Partners

Joe King
Product Fellow - Mighty Capital