Tacos and Tech Podcast

Latest Episodes:

This Week in San Diego Tech News - Sept 21, 2023 Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Neal: Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News by Neal Bloom and Fred Grier from Fresh Brewed Tech.

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

Fred: I’m Fred Grier, journalist and author of SD Founders substack. I wrote about the tech industry for the San Diego Business Journal for two years. I covered the ins-and-outs of the startup world for much of that time, breaking news on IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A.

Missing Mike Freeman - Mike is no longer at the UT and we miss his voice in the tech community
ShieldAI raising
Linear App raised $35m Series B
Acquire.com moving HQ to La Jolla
Rayze Bio $358m IPO

Events

Innovation Week review
Announcing Techstars San Diego powered SDSU first cohort podcast
Women’s Venture Summit - Sept 28 & 29
San Diego Startup Week - October 23-27

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 San Diego State University first startup cohort announced with Misti Cain Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

We're so excited for Techstars San Diego Powered by San Diego State University first cohort to be announced! We brought Techstars San Diego Investor Misti Cain on the pod to talk through the process of getting to the final 12 teams and walk us through all the companies.

Listen in to get a deep dive and meet the companies in this new program.

Th inaugural 2023 class:

Airbuild | San Diego, CA

Algae panel green roofs for commercial buildings that allow for carbon sequestration and energy production.

Babba | San Diego, CA

Enables parents to feed their baby on the go with the world’s first bottle cooler and warmer.

Cargo Shot | San Diego, CA

A “proof of condition” platform that enables shippers and logistics providers to deliver global supply chain accountability and performance.

CoBroker AI | El Paso, TX

An AI-powered assistant accessible via SMS or WhatsApp that automates research and streamlines marketing operations for brokers.

Craitor | San Diego, CA

Rugged, portable, intelligent 3D printers that can manufacture military-grade parts where and when they’re needed

General Folders | San Diego, CA

Cross-company, cloud-agnostic data collaboration software that allows companies to transfer data securely, monitor the transmission in real time, and easily validate the correct data is being sent.

Mosqitter | New York, NY

A software-driven, non-toxic, outdoor mosquito control solution that protects people from mosquitoes and the diseases they transfer.

Nevemind | Stockholm, Sweden

A desktop application that automatically replies to all your emails and messages

Oblio | Boston Massachusetts, CA

An email-based AI tool that allows college admissions counselors to craft personalized messages for admitted students, leveraging existing data to easily prioritize and communicate.

Remix | Pleasant Hill, CA

A virtual teleporter that lets users freely interact and share complete physical environments from anywhere in the world.

Site Bionics | San Diego, CA

Computer vision and digital twin technology that gives retailers operational insights about their physical space.

Steno | San Diego, CA

A personalized AI-powered market research copilot that extracts insights from digital content to help brand owners research their market and competition.

Reference: Blog by Techstars about the new cohort.

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 News - Sept 9, 2023 Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

Neal: Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News by Neal Bloom and Fred Grier from Fresh Brewed Tech.

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

Fundraises:

Occuspace - Series A - $3.6m

Shipcalm - Raised $2m - Tech-enabled 3PL

Lights Helmets

Report Therapeutics - $150m Series A

Events:

Top Tech Awards

Innovation Day

Stella Women’s Venture Summit

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

San Diego Tech News Weekly – August 21, 2023 Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

Neal: Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News by Neal Bloom and Fred Grier from Fresh Brewed Tech. Every Friday at 12:30pm Pacific on Clubhouse and now we record them for you to enjoy as well. Find these episodes on Freshbrewedtech.com and favorite podcast player for Tacos and Tech Podcast

I’m Neal Bloom, entrepreneur, investor, and community builder.

8/21/23:

SD’s top AI startups
- Real World AI Applications panel from Interlock Summit

Inc.’s 5000 list
- SD companies highlighted + 89 listed on full list

Acquire.com moves to SD
- Welcome back Andrew Gazdecki and team!
EDC Summer Bash recap
AgTech event recap and Escondido AgTech Hackathon on Nov. 2-4

Upcoming tech events:

Innovation Day Sept 14 / Innovation Week - Sept 12-16
San Diego Startup Week - Oct 23-27

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

Aadeel Akhtar of PSYONIC: Affordable and Accessible Prosthesis Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other platforms.

Aadeel gives an overview of what PSYONIC is [02:34]
Aadeel shares his background and how he got interested in building bionic limbs [03:17]
How did Aadeel get started in bionic engineering [04:17]
What’s the difference between prosthesis and bionic devices? [07:45]
Aadeel talks about their product designs, the difference of the devices, and the barriers for patients [09:03]
Aadeel shares the founding story of PSYONIC [10:44]
What’s entrepreneurial life like for Aadeel? [15:12]
Aadeel compares San Diego and Chicago, and why he chose to move to San Diego [18:05]
Aadeel explains why their brand is very big on consumer-facing approach [24:00]
Aadeel shares what’s is like to have a public facing brand [28:19]
Aadeel talks about where PSYONIC will be a year from now, their future plans, etc. [30:14]
Aadeel shares his favorite taco spot, City Tacos [32:17]

Resources:

Videos of testing the PSYONIC advanced bionic hand

Follow Aadeel

PSYONIC

Website | LinkedIn

Check out our Tacos and Tech Tacos Database to learn where our local SD entrepreneurs and leaders satisfy their taco crave!

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

Davey Smith of the University of California San Diego: The Future of Clinical Medicine Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other platforms.

Davey gives an overview of his work at UC San Diego [02:23]
How did Davey end up down the path toward infectious diseases? [03:23]
Davey talks about the first time he heard about COVID-19 [06:02]
How did Operation Warp Speed come together and when did Davey get involved? [07:21]
Davey shares his observations on Model Medicines [11:25]
Davey describes the technology Model Medicines focus on and how they apply it to many areas [13:10]
Davey talks about his current involvement such as preclinical testing and preparing for clinical trials [15:05]
Davey explains why COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to be a threat, and why new treatments are necessary [16:43]
Davey emphasizes the need for investing in the science and research to improve next-generation drugs [00:18:55]
Davey shares how AI is changing the way drug development is being approached today [20:01]
On the FDA's flexibility and alignment with Model Medicines' plans for testing and development [20:48]
Davey talks about future plans for Model Medicines, his plans on launching a clinical trial for respiratory viruses, and basket trial [00:22:23]
Davey shares his take on the technology communities and collaborative and problem-focused culture of San Diego [23:40]
Davey shares his favorite taco spot on Washington Street, El Cuervo [00:27:05]

Follow Davey

University of California San Diego

Website | LinkedIn

Check out our Tacos and Tech Tacos Database to learn where our local SD entrepreneurs and leaders satisfy their taco crave!

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

Chrissy McGarry of Second Front Systems: Delivering Disruptive Software for National Security Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other platforms.

Chrissy gives an overview of what Second Front Systems is [02:50]
Chrrisy shares how she got into the tech world and how she started her career originally [03:02]
Chrissy gives a background of what Second Front Systems is and its products [07:53]
What was Chrissy’s role when she first started in Second Front Systems versus what she’s doing now? [09:32]
Chrissy shares what she’s learned from her mentors and how they helped in her job [12:02]
Chrissy talks about Second Front Systems’ technology and where it's affecting the world today [13:33]
What’s DevSecOps? [15:34]
Chrissy talks about their Game Warden platform and their next Game Warden product [16:44]
How does a public benefit organization like Second Front Systems impact the community that they’re staying in? [18:48]
Chrissy explains what a SkillBridge program is [19:53]
Chrissy shares what it’s like being a fully remote company and how they utilize the virtual space platform, Gather.town [23:14]
Chrissy shares her favorite taco spot, Velvet Taco [27:28]

Follow Chrissy

Second Front Systems

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Check out our Tacos and Tech Tacos Database to learn where our local SD entrepreneurs and leaders satisfy their taco crave!

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

San Diego Tech News Weekly – July 28, 2023 Jul 29, 2023

Show notes

I’m Neal Bloom, entrepreneur, investor, and community builder.

7/28/23:

AI news:

Tech companies adding in GPT - Travato, SOCi
AIxBio event debrief with PersonalAI presentation

ECommerce:

Sunday Golf
Sendlane - E-commerce Commerce Roundtable Event in September 18
Steerpoint Capital acquired Escondido Mall to make it an entrepreneur-friendly mall

CoWorking:

VentureX CoWorking opened in Scripps Ranch
Mission CoWorking opened in Mission Valley

Events:

Welcome to SD Virtual event - August 1
SD Founders Hike - August 2
1st Mondays - August 7 AI panel
AgTech Gathering - August 17
Top Tech SD - September 13
Innovation Day - September 14
Green.org San Diego Summit - September 16 - Use code Tacos25 for a discount
Sendlane Commerce Roundtable - September 18
San Diego Startup Week - Oct 23-27

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

San Diego Tech News Weekly – July 24, 2023 Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

7/24/23:

Q2 VC Funding Report
DTx Pharma acquisition and impact for local community

Events:

SDx Hackathon event review
SD Founders Hike August 2
1st Mondays with Startup SD August 7
AgTech Gathering August 17
Connect Innovation Day Sept 14

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

Jon Carder of Vessel Health: An Accessible Way to Reach Your Wellness Goals Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other platforms.

Jon gives an overview of what Vessel is [02:59]
Jon shares how he started his first business [07:11]
Jon recalls his first business, building an e-commerce site, and how it’s different from Vessel [12:54]
Jon talks about the shift from having a bad cash flow business to having a successful one, how he applied the marketing techniques he learned to his website, and “growth hacking”
What made Jon stay as an entrepreneur even after having two successful companies already? [20:33]
Jon talks about venture and bootstrapping and why he prefers the former [25:14]
Jon shares his thoughts on going hardware versus software [27:15]
Jon talks about the founding story of Vessel [29:04]
Jon shares how they decide what products or services to add for Vessel, and lessons he learned along the way [33:57]
Jon talks about their recently launched 2.0, new tests, and Vessel Flex [36:11]
What are Vessel’s future plans? [38:40]
Jon shares his favorite taco spots, Barrio Star, Cocina De Barrio, El Agave, and King and Queen Cantina [40:45]

Follow Jon

Vessel Health

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Check out our Tacos and Tech Tacos Database to learn where our local SD entrepreneurs and leaders satisfy their taco crave!

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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