Tacos and Tech Podcast

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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 thank and ask our listeners 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!

June 20

Recent events debrief: MedTech, AI, GP/LP

BIO in Boston

Startup activity in SD

Recent Carta funding data in relation to San Diego and by stage

Fundings

* Retrorate - podcast &

* Seaside Equity raises $723M for two funds

Cadre AI coming out of stealth

Qualcomm acquisition of AlphaWave Semi for $2.4B

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

July 1 - SD Tech Founders with Andy Ballester, GoFundMe and Eyepop AI co-founder

July 4 - Founders Hike

July 8 - Afternoon Founders Hike

July 29 - Dev & Data x CTO Talks: Healthtech Night

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

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 thank and ask our listeners 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!

June 20

Recent events debrief: MedTech, AI, GP/LP

BIO in Boston

Startup activity in SD

Recent Carta funding data in relation to San Diego and by stage

Fundings

Retrorate - podcast &

Seaside Equity raises $723M for two funds

Cadre AI coming out of stealth

Qualcomm acquisition of AlphaWave Semi for $2.4B

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

July 1 - SD Tech Founders with Andy Ballester, GoFundMe and Eyepop AI co-founder

July 4 - Founders Hike

July 8 - Afternoon Founders Hike

July 29 - Dev & Data x CTO Talks: Healthtech Night

What does it take to design a flawless fan experience for 75,000 people on game day, and millions more watching from home? In this episode, Neal Bloom sits down with Vikrant Bodalia, Vice President of Technology Operations at Allegiant Stadium, to unpack the strategy, innovation, and pressure behind the world's biggest live events. From Super Bowl infrastructure to facial-recognition ticketing, Vikrant shares how he reverse engineers every event from the fan perspective first.

With a career that spans NBA, NHL, NFL, and the rapid rise of Las Vegas as a sports tech capital, Vikrant offers a front-row look at how venue technology is evolving and why immersive, secure, and seamless experiences are now the industry benchmark.

Key Topics Covered:

• Vikrant's journey from IT help desk to VP of tech at world-class venues • Lessons from working behind the scenes in the NBA, NHL, and NFL • What it means to reverse engineer a Super Bowl or Stanley Cup experience • Why "infrastructure first" is the key to delivering at stadium scale • The evolution of venue tech: from 10GB to 100GB+ internet circuits • How ASM Global prepares for record-breaking digital demands • Cybersecurity as a culture, not just a checklist • The role of AI, facial recognition, and immersive media in the future of fan engagement • Las Vegas' emergence as a leading sports and entertainment tech city • How recognition from Top Tech Awards validates years of behind-the-scenes leadership

Links & Resources:

• ASM Global

• Allegiant Stadium

• Las Vegas Top Tech Awards

Connect with Vikrant:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Neal:

• LinkedIn

• Twitter

What does it take to design a flawless fan experience for 75,000 people on game day, and millions more watching from home? In this episode, Neal Bloom sits down with Vikrant Bodalia, Vice President of Technology Operations at Allegiant Stadium, to unpack the strategy, innovation, and pressure behind the world's biggest live events. From Super Bowl infrastructure to facial-recognition ticketing, Vikrant shares how he reverse engineers every event from the fan perspective first.

With a career that spans NBA, NHL, NFL, and the rapid rise of Las Vegas as a sports tech capital, Vikrant offers a front-row look at how venue technology is evolving and why immersive, secure, and seamless experiences are now the industry benchmark.

Key Topics Covered:

• Vikrant’s journey from IT help desk to VP of tech at major league sports leagues and venues• Lessons from working behind the scenes in the NBA, NHL, and NFL• What it means to reverse engineer a Super Bowl or Stanley Cup experience• Why “infrastructure first” is the key to delivering at stadium scale• The evolution of venue tech: from 10GB to 100GB+ internet circuits• How ASM Global prepares for record-breaking digital demands• Cybersecurity as a culture, not just a checklist• The role of AI, facial recognition, and immersive media in the future of fan engagement• Las Vegas' emergence as a leading sports and entertainment tech city• How recognition from Top Tech Awards validates years of behind-the-scenes leadership

Links & Resources:

* ASM Global

* Allegiant Stadium

* Las Vegas Top Tech Awards

Connect with Vikrant:

* LinkedIn

Connect with Neal:

* 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

In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal welcomes a longtime friend, Andy Taylor, Co-Founder and CEO of RetroRate. to talk about building a company around an idea few people even know exists: assumable loans. They dig deep into Andy’s journey from building software at Electronic Arts and Apple to leading product at Redfin, launching mortgage startup Approved, and now tackling a hidden opportunity in real estate finance: assumable loans. Andy shares his personal founder journey, lessons learned across big tech and startups, and why he's committed to building in San Diego.

Key Topics:

* A walk through Andy’s product career - from EA to Apple to Redfin

* Why assumable loans are the key to unlocking a stuck real estate market

* The origin story behind RetroRate and solving a problem most people don’t know exists

* The impact of locked-in low rates on buyer power and seller mobility

* Lessons learned building, scaling, and selling a mortgage startup (Approved)

* Navigating startup life post-acquisition and deciding to build again

* The evolving San Diego startup landscape and why it’s a great place to build

* Real talk on balancing work, life, and entrepreneurship with family in tow

* Leveraging AI and design thinking in modern proptech

* Andy’s favorite taco

Links & Resources:

* RetroRate

Connect with Andy:

* LinkedIn: Andy Taylor

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

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

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

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:

LinkedIn

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

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

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