ROTH Conference: Fusing Growth Capital, AI Frontiers, and Philanthropy

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – March 16, 2026 – As the financial world gears up for one of its most anticipated events, Roth Capital Partners (ROTH) has announced its 38th Annual Conference, set to take place from March 22-24, 2026, at the picturesque Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California. For nearly four decades, this invitation-only gathering has solidified its reputation as a crucial marketplace where capital and ideas converge, particularly for the small-cap and growth companies that form the backbone of market innovation.

This year's event is poised to continue that tradition, bringing together institutional investors, industry leaders, and the executive teams of approximately 500 public and private companies for three intensive days of networking, presentations, and strategic meetings. The conference's enduring success lies in a format meticulously designed for what ROTH Executive Chairman Byron Roth calls “high-touch engagement.”

“For nearly four decades, the ROTH Conference has brought together investors, management teams and industry leaders to build relationships, exchange ideas and create opportunity,” said Roth in a recent statement. “This year’s event is designed around the high-touch engagement our clients value most, with intensive 1-on-1 meetings, expert-led group sessions and timely discussions across the issues shaping business and capital formation.”

A Crucial Nexus for Growth Capital

In a landscape dominated by large-cap headlines, the ROTH Conference has carved out an indispensable niche. Historically drawing over 4,700 attendees, the event serves as a vital platform for under-followed growth companies to gain direct access to the investment community. The core of the conference is its schedule of thousands of 1-on-1 and small-group meetings, a format that facilitates the kind of in-depth dialogue and due diligence that is often lost in larger, more impersonal settings.

This structure is where “real capital-markets conversations begin,” according to past attendees. It’s a place where management teams can articulate their vision directly to potential backers, and where investors can unearth hidden gems before they hit the broader market's radar. The conference covers a wide swath of the economy's most dynamic sectors, including technology & media, digital assets, sustainability, consumer, energy, healthcare, and metals & mining. The breadth of industries ensures a diverse and vibrant ecosystem of ideas, attracting a wide range of specialist and generalist investors alike.

Charting the Future: AI, Longevity, and New Frontiers

While honoring its established format, the 38th annual event is distinctly forward-looking, with a program designed to tackle the most transformative trends shaping the future. A significant addition this year is the Inaugural Engineering & Consulting Services Track, a nod to the growing investor interest in the firms that build, design, and manage the world's critical infrastructure.

Panels and fireside chats are set to explore cutting-edge themes, including the symbiotic and power-hungry relationship between AI & Power Infrastructure, the next wave of innovation in Defense and Space, and the burgeoning science of Health and Aging. To illuminate these complex topics, ROTH has curated a lineup of influential speakers whose expertise spans policy, military, and radical scientific frontiers.

Attendees will hear from Neil Chatterjee, former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), whose insights are critical for understanding the regulatory and infrastructure challenges of powering an AI-driven world. The conference will also feature Gen. Nadja West, the 44th U.S. Army Surgeon General and a trailblazing leader in military medicine and public health, offering a unique perspective on the healthcare and leadership challenges of our time. Perhaps most provocatively, Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur behind Braintree and the controversial Blueprint longevity project, will share his data-driven quest to reverse aging, providing a glimpse into a future where human health itself becomes the ultimate investment frontier.

Investing with Purpose: Philanthropy Meets Finance

A defining characteristic that sets the ROTH Conference apart is its deep and long-standing integration of philanthropy. The event kicks off not with board meetings, but with a series of charitable athletic events benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to supporting people with physical challenges.

On Sunday, March 22, attendees will trade their business attire for athletic gear to participate in the ROTH / CAF Charity Ride, Spin, Yoga, Pickleball & Golf events. This partnership is more than a token gesture; it's a core component of the conference experience that has historically raised over $1 million for CAF. The foundation, which consistently earns top marks from charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator for its financial health and transparency, provides adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition support, empowering thousands of athletes to pursue their dreams. The day's events also include a powerful Wheelchair Basketball Game, showcasing the elite athletes who benefit from this support and grounding the high-finance discussions of the following days with a profound sense of purpose.

Standing Out in a Crowded Field

In a competitive landscape of investor conferences hosted by giants like J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, the ROTH Conference thrives by cultivating a unique identity. It differentiates itself not by trying to be the biggest, but by focusing on being the most effective for its chosen niche. The unwavering focus on small-cap and growth companies, the high-touch meeting format, and the diverse sector coverage create a potent combination.

Furthermore, the decision to host the event at a resort like The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is a strategic one. The relaxed setting fosters the informal networking and relationship-building that are crucial in the small-cap world. This is complemented by a social calendar that includes live entertainment and networking receptions, creating an atmosphere that is both productive and engaging. By blending serious business with meaningful philanthropy and genuine opportunities for connection, the conference has created a powerful, multifaceted event that remains a must-attend fixture on the financial calendar for investors seeking to fund the future.