Tacos and Tech Podcast

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**Tacos and Tech Podcast**

The Tacos and Tech Podcast highlights the builders of companies, technologies, ecosystems with a local flair for our lifestyle as well.

risingtidepartners.substack.com

Latest Episodes:

This Week in San Diego Tech - June 6, 2025 Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.

Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!

I’m Neal Bloom from Fresh Brewed Tech, the Tacos and Tech Podcast, and Rising Tide Partners.

My co-hosts in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.

June 6 Tech News

We recorded this week’s pod live on LinkedIn here. What did you think?

General Atomics Fusion Reactor Tour

Funding Roundup – Q2 So Far

* Flock Freight raised $60M Series E

* RevenueCat raised $50M Series B (co-founder based in SD)

* BioLink: $100M Series C

* Hyatt Therapeutics: $65M Series A

* ClearPoint Neuro: $110M public offering

Executive Moves

* Mark Fields named Chief Information & Innovation Officer at Illumina

AI Spotlight

* Personal AI partners with NVIDIA and launches an AI receptionist tool

* Headquarters moving to SF, but SD office remains

* Still a top contender in SD’s AI ecosystem

* Qualcomm & NVDIA making big AI moves

Microsoft x Activision Blizzard

* Global deal, local impact: High Moon Studios (Carlsbad) now under Microsoft

* Gaming community expanding: new meetups + co-working hub in the works

Consumer Brand News

* Jack in the Box (HQ in SD) struggles with Del Taco; 200 stores closed

* Everbowl hits 100th location milestone

* Rapid growth since franchising

* Built-in construction arm WeBuild fueling national expansion

Robotics on the Big Stage

* Local startup Psyonic featured by YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)

* Two million+ views on their bionic hand demo

* Another big win for SD’s hardware + health tech community

Events Roundup – June Highlights

For full list, check out The Social Coyote newsletter

* June 6 - SD Founder Hike

* June 9 - Future In Review 2025 Conference

* June 10 - Carlsbad Sports Active Lifestyle Industry Exchange with Naturally San Diego and SDSI

* June 11 - SD Founders Afternoon Hike

* June 12 - Best Ideas Dinner

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Inside the rise of real-time diagnostics and the promise of proteomics Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with CEO of Pictor, a diagnostics company transforming healthcare through proteomics-the science of understanding what the body’s proteins are doing right now.

They explore how this next-generation technology is shifting the medical world from slow, reactive testing to real-time, accessible diagnostics for both humans and animals. From Jamie’s early days at Quest Diagnostics to Pictor’s move from New Zealand to San Diego, this episode is a front-row seat to how health innovation really happens.

Whether you’re building a biotech startup or just curious about how your body actually works, this conversation reveals what’s next for diagnostics-and why it matters now more than ever.

Key Topics Covered

* What proteomics is-and why it matters more than ever

* The shift from DNA-based tests to real-time protein diagnostics

* Pictor’s expansion to Carlsbad and why San Diego is a healthtech hotspot

* How regulatory clarity is speeding up innovation

* Lessons in leadership and conviction from Jamie’s founder journey

* Making diagnostics faster, cheaper, and more personal

Links & Resources

* Pictor Diagnostics

Connect with Jamie

* LinkedIn

Connect with Neal Bloom

* LinkedIn

* Twitter

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Exploring Identity, AI, and Leadership May 28, 2025

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the, Neal Bloom chats with Jesse Taylor, Senior Manager of Identity and Middleware Services at UNLV. Jesse shares his journey from early exposure to technology with Atari and Apple II to becoming a technical leader in higher education. They discuss the evolution of technology, the role of AI in augmenting human capabilities, and Jesse’s approach to authentic leadership and team development. Jesse also highlights his work in identity management at UNLV, his involvement in the Las Vegas tech community, and his recognition as a Top Tech Vegas award recipient.

Key Topics Discussed:

* The evolution of technology in education and hospitality sectors

* AI as a tool for enhancing human capabilities

* Leadership strategies for building and supporting high-performing teams

* The importance of workforce development and apprenticeships in tech

* The Las Vegas tech ecosystem and connections with San Diego

Links & Resources:

UNLV’s identity and middleware services

Society for Information Management (SIM) Las Vegas Chapter

Nominate a leader for the Top Tech Awards

Connect with Jesse:

Connect with Neal:

LinkedIn: Neal Bloom

Twitter: @NealBloom

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Bloombites - May 27 May 27, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Bloombites - a weekly brain and heart dump from the front lines about startup community, investing, and building.

Here’s who I’ve been meeting with over the last week:

Met the Covanos cardiovascular team thanks to Jose Arrieta.

Shared notes with Cheryl Turnbull of the Ohio State University Entrepreneurship Center on bridging inventors into startup founders thanks to Derrick Brent.

Great walking meeting with Eli Carlson on supporting our founder friends.

Erik Groset and I caught up with Casey Dickinson to hear about Superfaction, his latest gaming startup.

Interviewed Jamie Platt, CEO of new-to-U.S./Carlsbad diagnostic company Pictor Dx.

Caught up with Brett Crosby to learn about his new adtech AI startup AdZen.

Coffee with Puesto founder Alex Adler to talk tacos and tech ;)

Met with the founding team of LumaLake AI Botond Szatmary and Drew Senyei to learn about the future of senior care monitoring.

Attended the graduation ceremony of the latest Founders Institute San Diego & Veteran Class! Congrats, well done Mike Sherbakov and team, and thanks John Z for hosting.

Enjoyed a great event by Whittier Trust bringing together local investors to talk about the current economic environment. Thanks to Sandip Bhagat for your deep insight and Jeff Treut for the invite. Welcome officially to San Diego!

Impromptu San Diego Angel Conference meeting with Cathy Pucher, where we are co-emceeing the June 5 finale event. Come join us!

Internal check in with my Athena team to keep building the partnership.

Recorded a gem of a conversation with Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana on the Tacos and Tech Podcast.

Good check in with the City of Burbank Economic Development team Marissa Cardwell and Odette Zakarian and Brittany Hodge in planning out June’s PitchFest and the next year’s worth of community building events.

Quick catch up on the state of the San Diego SaaS ecosystem with Brad Corona of Vertical Venture Partners.

Debriefing/planning for next bootcamp session with the SDSU ZIP Launchpad team Cameron Brock, Erica Charlonis, and Craig Lauer.

Into the mountains with Tim Ryan for a retreat to do long term startup ecosystem planning including the next cohorts of Startup 101, Founder Build Day, SD Tech Founder events, physical hub design, and much more to come.

Have a great week and keep building!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Building San Diego's Product Management Community May 14, 2025

Show notes

Dive into San Diego's evolving product management landscape with Vidya Dinamani as she announces the inaugural Product Management Summit. Learn how the local tech ecosystem has matured and why bringing world-class product leadership to San Diego matters.

Key Topics:

• San Diego Product Management Summit (June 5-6)

• Evolution from Intuit leadership to Product Rebels

• Building Product Tank's 2,500+ member community

• Customer-centric product development methodologies

• San Diego's maturing tech ecosystem

Links & Resources:

* Product Management Summit - Use discount code: TACOS to get 10% off

* Product Rebels

Connect with Vidya:

- LinkedIn: Vidya Dinamani

Connect with Neal:

- LinkedIn: Neal Bloom

- Twitter: @NealBloom

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Techstars San Diego Powered by SDSU- Year 3 with Misti Cain May 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Neal Bloom chats with Misti Cain, the new Managing Director of Techstars San Diego powered by SDSU. They discuss the upcoming Year 3 of the program, the application process, and what makes an ideal founder and company for the accelerator. Misty shares insights into the benefits of the SDSU partnership, the updated investment terms, and the importance of community and mentorship in the Techstars ecosystem.

Key Topics:

- Introduction of Misti Cain as the new Managing Director

- Overview of Techstars San Diego powered by SDSU Year 3

- Application details: Open from April 8 to June 11, 2024

- Ideal founder and company profile

- Benefits of the SDSU partnership

- Updated investment terms: $220,000 total with $200,000 uncapped MFN safe

- Importance of community and mentorship

- Shoutout to Ryan Kuder for his contributions to Techstars in San Diego

- Misty's favorite taco spot: Puesto

Links and Resources:

- Techstars San Diego powered by SDSU Information

- Refer Founders

Connect with Misti Cain:

- LinkedIn: Misti Cain https://www.linkedin.com/in/misticain/

Connect with Neal Bloom:

- LinkedIn: Neal Bloom https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom

- Twitter: @NealBloom https://twitter.com/NealBloom

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

🎙️ This Week in San Diego Tech (4/21/25 Edition) Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

🔊Listen & Subscribe:

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major platforms.

👋 Welcome!

Welcome to This Week in San Diego Tech!

I’m Neal Bloom from Fresh Brewed Tech, the Tacos and Tech Podcast, and Interlock Capital.

Joining me as always is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego Substack, covering startups, funding, and M&A across the region.

🗞️Top Headlines This Week:

🎶 Music Tech Meets the Symphony - link

* Interlock Capital hosted 30+ tech leaders for a behind-the-scenes tour of the newly renovated Jacobs Music Center ($150M remodel!)

* The tech community showed up at the San Diego Symphony’s Discovery Night, featuring jazz, Mardi Gras flair, and remarks by ResMed CEO Mick Farrell

* The call to action: it’s time for the next generation of founders to support arts, science, and innovation in SD

🚀 Startup 101 & Founders Funnel Kickoff - link

* Neal and Tim Ryan launched Startup 101, a community event for early-stage builders to explore the “car, plane, or rocket ship” path of growth

* 10 attendees, curated cohort, high demand for more, filling a new cohort each quarter - and Founders Build Day now expanding to 3 monthly locations in May!

💰 Funding Rounds

* Symphonic Capital raises $13.5M for its debut fund, led by Sydney Thomas (ex-Precursor), focused on fintech and digital health

Read Fred’s article »

* Bliss AI, an aesthetic-focused AR software platform, secures Series A funding (co-founder based in North County)

* Biolinq raises $90M for non-invasive glucose sensing - originally spun out of UCSD labs and now scaling hard

SEC filing »

🧬 NIH Funding Shakeup & Market Headwinds - link

* UCSD sees $150M+ in NIH funding paused or cut, impacting researchers and early-stage startups

* Federal agency funding delays (FDA, DOD, SBIR) creating ripples in life sciences and defense tech

* Tariffs, market uncertainty, and reduced VC capital raise concerns for hardware and deep tech founders

🧱 Real Estate & Ecosystem Expansion

* Pfizer moves to new Torrey View campus

* Novartis to build a $1.1B San Diego R&D hub

* Prebys Foundation acquires Wells Fargo Plaza for $40M (previously $148M), signaling interest in downtown tech corridor

* GemPharmatech, Qpex, and BioLabs expanding presence in the region

* EvoNexus UTC set to open new space for medtech/life science founders in May

👟 SDSU Goes Jordan

* San Diego State men’s basketball team debuts custom Air Jordan 4 PEs - only 50 pairs made!

See them here »

🗓️ Community Events & Ecosystem News

* One Million Cups is back!

* Every Wednesday at 8am @ Ansir Innovation in Convoy

* Two startup presentations + community feedback

* Event photo recap »

* Interlock Capital LP + Portfolio Founder Day

* LPs and founders will be connecting in curated roundtables to move the needle on growth

* The Social Coyote has your curated event list:

Subscribe here »

💬 Final Shoutouts

* Thanks to Michael Robertson and other listeners for your feedback - we’re testing a shorter intro song this week!

* Follow Fred on Substack » and Neal on Fresh Brewed Tech »

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

From Cables to Cloud: Floyd Auten’s Top Tech Journey of Innovation Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Floyd Auten, COO and co-founder of TechNet Partners, joins Neal for an episode that digs deep into the literal and figurative foundations of tech. From punchdowns in high school to powering stadiums and data centers across the country, Floyd shares how his family legacy in electrical work turned into a career designing the infrastructure that keeps the digital world running.

They talk about life safety systems, the rise of AI tools in design, the Padres’ Wi-Fi network, and how Floyd’s team at TechNet is scaling services across all 50 states.

Floyd also shares what it meant to win the Top Tech Award in 2024—and why he’s excited to help spotlight other behind-the-scenes innovators this year.

🔑 Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

* [2:00] Floyd’s start: lessons from his grandfather’s Navy electrician days

* [5:30] How TechNet grew from a storage-unit office to 300+ employees

* [9:00] Life safety tech: upgrading USC’s 911 system and keeping infrastructure resilient

* [12:30] Data center growth + designing for sustainability

* [17:00] From Padres Wi-Fi to MLB partnerships and stadium-scale solutions

* [21:00] Floyd’s long-running partnership with Cox Business

* [26:30] Winning a Top Tech Award and inspiring the next wave of tech leaders

* [29:00] Advice for founders and future tech leaders: love the work, and find mentors

* [33:00] 🌮 Taco Talk: Floyd’s go-to spot is TJ Tacos in Escondido

🏆 Top Tech Awards:

Floyd was recognized at the 2024 Top Tech Awards - and now he’s helping select the next generation of unsung tech heroes.

👉 Know someone making tech magic happen behind the scenes?

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Top Tech Awards!

Submit yours before May 2 at toptechawards.com

🔗 Links:

* Floyd Auten on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/floyd-auten-rcdd-364a4410

* TechNet Partners: technetpartners.com

* Top Tech Awards Nomination: toptechawards.com

* TJ Tacos: Yelp link

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Living in Your Greatness: Building Empires Through Relationships with Jeff Fenster Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Meet Jeff Fenster, a serial entrepreneur, problem solver, and relationship builder who’s scaled multiple businesses by identifying problems worth solving - and assembling the right team to tackle them.

Inspired early on by A Shark Never Sleeps, Jeff set out to become a sports agent, only to pivot right after law school and dive into entrepreneurship. His first venture began with a bold move - calling his employer’s bluff and walking out to start his own company, only to face a major hiccup when payroll checks were accidentally sent to clients.

Through trial, error, and big wins, Jeff has honed his entrepreneurial philosophy:

“If you can live in your greatness, success is guaranteed.”

That philosophy was put to the test when he dreamed up what would become Everbowl. Despite critics pointing out he wasn’t a chef - and that most restaurants fail - Jeff saw the opportunity. Why? Because business owners, not chefs, build successful restaurant brands. From that insight, he coined:

“Experience is the most overrated prerequisite to starting a company.”

From the lessons of building Everbowl, Jeff launched his latest venture - WeBuild - a company that helps others bring their physical business ideas to life by streamlining construction and buildouts.

Jeff also shares insights weekly on his podcast, The Jeff Fenster Show, where he interviews top performers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and creators about what makes them great.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Jeff approaches building multiple businesses at once

• The role of self-awareness in entrepreneurial success

• His 5 core principles for life and business

• His latest book, Relationship Capital, which dives into the power of networking, mentorship, and building value through people

• Business relationships with names like Neil Patel, Drew Brees, Shaq, and the GoFundMe founders

• Why he believes investing in people is the ultimate multiplier

• His new venture, WeBuild, and what he’s solving next

• And the power of storytelling through The Jeff Fenster Show

Plus, we get into tacos (of course):

Jeff’s favorite taco spot: Casero Taqueria

His taco order: The al pastor, shrimp, and whatever the weekly special is.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

This Week in San Diego Tech Podcast - April 4, 2025 Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.

Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!

I’m Neal Bloom from Fresh Brewed Tech, the Tacos and Tech Podcast, and Interlock Capital.

April 4, 2025

* Padres 7-0, Dodgers 8-0 in their starts

* Fred’s Q1 report

* Class of 2025 Cool Companies

* Fundings:

* Thatch AI

* Global M&A data

* Red markets because of tariffs

* Qualcomm acquisition news: Acquires Gen AI company & rumored to be considering acquiring UK semiconductor company

* Cymbiotika ranks 10 fast-growing companies

* Leadership changes

* Blender CEO Steps up

* Shield AI New CEO

Curated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote

* 1st Mondays SSD April 7

* 1 Million Cups April 16

* Connect Summer Social June 3

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

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