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Tacos and Tech Podcast – Episode with Alexandra Renee Poelstra of Startup Grind Carlsbad

🎙️ Guest: Alexandra Renee Poelstra, Chapter Director of Startup Grind Carlsbad

📅 Episode Date: [Insert Date]

📍 Event Mentioned: Startup Grind Carlsbad - SG Global Pitch Battle Carlsbad (Neal will be a pitch judge)

🔗 Links:

• Alexandra Renee Poelstra on LinkedIn

• Startup Grind Carlsbad

• SG Global Pitch Battle - Carlsbad Event This Tuesday Jan. 14

• Global Pitch Battle Info

• Startup Grind San Diego - Neal’s Past Interview

Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Tacos and Tech Podcast, Neal sits down with Alexandra Renee Poelstra, the dynamic Chapter Director of Startup Grind Carlsbad, to discuss the exciting return of Startup Grind events in Carlsbad. Alexandra shares insights into how Startup Grind is reigniting the local entrepreneurial spirit and dives into details about their upcoming SG Global Pitch Battle Carlsbad event, where Neal will be serving as a pitch judge.

They talk about the role Startup Grind plays in fostering startup communities globally and locally and how the Carlsbad chapter plans to support founders in the region. Alexandra also shares her own journey into entrepreneurship and community building.

Neal reflects on his own past experience being interviewed by Startup Grind San Diego, bringing the conversation full circle as he now returns to the community in a new role supporting emerging founders.

Topics Covered:

• Alexandra’s journey into the startup world and Startup Grind

• Reviving Startup Grind Carlsbad after a hiatus

• Details about the SG Global Pitch Battle Carlsbad and how founders can get involved

• The importance of community in supporting founders

• Neal’s previous experience as a guest on Startup Grind San Diego and now serving as a pitch judge

Upcoming Event Details:

📅 Event: SG Global Pitch Battle - Carlsbad - Jan. 14

📍 Location: Event Link

📝 Pitch Application Form: Apply Here

Also mentioned Carlsbad Life In Action event on Feb. 4

Connect with Startup Grind Carlsbad:

🌐 Startup Grind Carlsbad Website

📲 Follow Alexandra on LinkedIn

Thank You to Our Partners:

This episode is brought to you by Fresh Brewed Tech, serving up tech insights with a side of San Diego flavor, for everyone to savor.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Tacos and Tech Podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

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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.

My co-host 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.

Before we dive in, we wanted to ask our listeners and SD Tech fans to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1/9/2025 Top headlines

Predictions 

5 VC Investors Share Hot Takes and Predictions

Neal’s predictions - IPO market, M&A, Fundings, In person

M&A news

Coursekey buy out by PSG

Poseida deal closed, up $500m in purchase price. $1b to $1.5b

Funding

Gaming Startup Simulation Theory Raises $2M Seed Funding

Crop Diagnostix raises $3.5M Seed Round 

Deep Vector Raises $1.5M

Developments 

$85M film studio under construction in Chula Vista

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

Startup Grind Carlsbad is back Jan 14

Angel Conference events on Jan 14 and Feb 18

Rumi AI HH - Jan 16

TechCon SoCal - Jan 17-18

The Future of Healthcare - Jan 22

ACG San Diego | CapCon24 - Feb 21-22

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.

My co-host 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.

Before we dive in, we wanted to ask our listeners and SD Tech fans to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1/2/2025 Top Headlines

V.C. Activity Tops $6 Billion in 2024

Join the conversation on Fred’s LinkedIn post

Neal bets Luke Sophinos of Coursekey on number of IPOs in 2025

Fundings

Janux Therapeutics - $350m

Pleno - $25m growth round

Hauler Hero - $10m seed round

StartBlue grant award

Teradata & Amazon partner on Gen AI

GKN Aerospace opens new facility

Heron Therapeutics Moves HQ From San Diego to North Carolina

Events – For full list – check The Social Coyote

SD Founders Hike - Jan. 3

CES - San Diego showcase - let us know if you’ll be at CES

Join me on Tuesday at this event or Wednesday at this event

JP Morgan Healthcare conference January 13-16 (SF/Bay Area)

TechCon SoCal - Jan 17-18

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

In this episode of the Tacos and Tech Podcast, we sit down with Faisal Mushtaq, a visionary CTO, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and the founder of TechCon SoCal, one of the region’s fastest-growing tech summits. Faisal shares his inspiring journey from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego and how his mission to connect the two thriving ecosystems culminated in the creation of TechCon SoCal.

What We Covered:

• Faisal’s Career Path: From building and scaling Fortune 500 companies to leading startups to successful exits, Faisal shares insights from his extensive experience in digital transformation, operational excellence, and global team leadership.

• The Founding of TechCon SoCal: What inspired Faisal to move to San Diego and create a tech summit that bridges the innovation of Silicon Valley with the collaborative spirit of San Diego.

• Building Communities Through Tech: How events like TechCon SoCal are fostering partnerships, attracting talent, and sparking innovation between two of California’s most dynamic tech hubs.

• Emerging Technologies: Faisal’s thoughts on the transformative potential of IoT and AI, and how these technologies are shaping the future of industries.

• Advice for Entrepreneurs: Faisal’s strategies for scaling businesses, building strategic partnerships, and driving impactful go-to-market strategies.

• Personal Vision: Faisal’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through angel investing and mentorship.

Key Quotes from Faisal:

• “TechCon SoCal is about building bridges—between people, ideas, and ecosystems—to create something larger than any one of us can achieve alone.”

• “San Diego is a hidden gem for innovation, and I’m passionate about amplifying its voice on a global stage.”

About Faisal Mushtaq:

With decades of experience as a technology leader, Faisal has driven transformative growth for public and private companies. His expertise in IoT, AI, and health and wellness innovations, combined with his dedication to fostering the startup ecosystem, makes him a key figure in advancing technology and entrepreneurship.

Resources Mentioned:

• TechCon SoCal Website: techconsocal.com

• Connect with Faisal on LinkedIn: Faisal Mushtaq

Join us for this exciting conversation with Faisal as we dive into his journey and his vision for connecting the Silicon Valley and San Diego tech communities!

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In this episode of the Tacos and Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Colin Loveless of the Vegas Golden Knights, and recent winner at the Top Tech Awards Presented by Cox Business in Las Vegas. Colin shares the behind-the-scenes story of how technology drives performance, fan engagement, and operations for one of the NHL’s most exciting teams.

From IT systems to cybersecurity and innovation, Colin explains how he and his team use cutting-edge tools to keep the Golden Knights skating toward success, both on and off the ice.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Colin’s Career Journey: How he went from IT enthusiast to managing the tech infrastructure for an NHL team.

2. Tech Innovations in Hockey: Insights into the tools and systems that power the Vegas Golden Knights’ operations and fan experience.

3. Winning a Top Tech Award: Colin discusses the projects and contributions that earned him the prestigious recognition.

4. Challenges in Sports IT: Balancing cybersecurity, operational excellence, and real-time performance demands in a high-stakes environment.

5. Future of Sports Technology: Colin’s take on how AI, machine learning, and data-driven tools are transforming professional sports.

And of course Colin's favorite taco spot! 

Thanks to our friends at Cox Business for powering these technology conversations!

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.

My co-host 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.

Before we dive in, we wanted to ask our listeners and SD Tech fans to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community.

12/11 News

Techstars SD by SDSU Demo Day Debrief

San Diego GDP ($261B) bigger than 50% of US States and many countries

Bio M&A in 2024 - Fred tweet

Fundings:

Surglogs

CoachIQ - $1.3m preseed

AI Chip Startup Kneron Seeks Funds at $1 Billion Valuation

Events – For full list – check The Social Coyote

North County Startup Mixer - Dec 17

CES - San Diego showcase - let us know if you’ll be at CES

JP Morgan Healthcare conference January 13-16 (SF/Bay Area)

TechCon SoCal - Jan 17-18

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.

My co-host 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.

Before we dive in, we wanted to ask our listeners and SD Tech fans to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community.

12/4 News

Funding - SD VC funding through Q3 & Fred’s tweet

Carlsbad’s Vuori secures $825M in funding, reaches $5.5B valuation

Amprion raises $15M Series B

Acquisitions/M&A

-Kate Therapeutics acquired by Novartis for $1.1B

-Roche Acquires Poseida for $1.5B

-Lundbeck acquires Longboard Pharmaceuticals in $2.6B

Neos Partners new fund - $1.37B

JLABS supports 190+ biotechs

Events – For full list – check The Social Coyote

SD Founders Hike - Dec 6

Tech The Halls - Dec 6 - THE tech holiday party!

JP Morgan Healthcare conference January 13-16 (SF/Bay Area)

TechCon SoCal - Jan 17-18

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

In this episode of the Tacos and Tech Podcast, we sit down with Michael Gifford, co-founder and CEO of Splitero, to explore how his innovative company is redefining the way homeowners access and utilize their home equity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Splitero Story: Michael shares how Splitero was born out of the need for a more flexible, homeowner-focused solution for unlocking home equity.

• Home Equity Simplified: Learn how Splitero empowers homeowners by providing cash upfront without the need for loans or additional debt.

• Challenges and Wins: Michael reflects on the challenges of disrupting a traditional industry and the successes they’ve seen in helping homeowners achieve their goals.

• The Future of Homeownership: We discuss where the real estate industry is heading and how Splitero is positioned to innovate in the equity-sharing space.

About Michael Gifford:

Michael is a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for improving financial wellness for homeowners. His background in real estate and finance provided the perfect foundation for launching Splitero. Under his leadership, Splitero has become a trusted partner for homeowners across the U.S., offering solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Connect with Splitero:

• Website: splitero.com

• LinkedIn: Splitero on LinkedIn

• Twitter: @splitero

Connect with Michael Gifford:

• LinkedIn: Michael Gifford

As always, we close out the episode with Michael’s picks for his favorite tacos in town—don’t miss it!

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.

My co-host 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.

Before we dive in, we wanted to ask our listeners and SD Tech fans to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community.

11/8

Debriefs:

Post-election future

Grayson Lafrenz, founder of Power Digital, at SDSU

UCSD IGE MedDevice Showcase

News:

SD Life Science Office Sitting Vacant 

Hydrostasis is alive!

Send us your swag!

VendiBean

The Brant Cooper Leadership Fund application is live - empowering the next generation of startup community builders

Events – for full list – check The Social Coyote

Mini Mingle - Nov 14

Don Norman Design Award - Nov 14-15

Discount code: ssd24 

Tech The Halls - Dec 6

TechCon SoCal - Jan 17-18

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

Don Norman, a pioneering figure in design and user experience, has profoundly influenced how we think about human-centered design. Known widely for his book, The Design of Everyday Things, Norman has helped shift the focus toward intuitive, accessible design that prioritizes user needs. His impact spans industries, and he is celebrated for making design thinking an integral part of product and technology development. As the founder of the Design Lab at UC San Diego, Norman has continued to shape the future of design, through his latest book, Design for a Better World, inspiring a new generation to build with empathy and inclusivity at the forefront.

In 2024, Don Norman’s legacy takes a new step with the launch of the Don Norman Design Award (DNDA), a global organization celebrating excellence in humanity-centered design. The DNDA emphasizes the importance of designs that make a meaningful impact in real-world communities, with categories recognizing ‘Excellence,’ ‘Promising,’ and ‘Educational’ contributions. By acknowledging projects and individuals who demonstrate innovation in community-focused design, the DNDA aims to promote solutions that drive societal change and enhance quality of life.

The awards ceremony and DNDA Summit will take place on November 14-15, 2024 in San Diego, gathering designers, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to discuss and share ideas on advancing humanity-centered design. The event will feature a formal forum, as well as an “unconference” where participants can engage in workshops led by the community. Through these awards, Don Norman continues to champion the power of thoughtful design, encouraging new voices to push boundaries and impact the world.

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms you enjoy your podcasts for our conversation with Don as he shares his lifetime journey and how he’s inspiring and empowering generations to come.