The Connect Current

By Connect

The Connect Current is your inside look at the people and ideas shaping San Diego’s innovation ecosystem.

Produced by Connect, a nonprofit supporting founders and investors for over 40 years, the pod... more

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FAQs about The Connect Current:

How many episodes does The Connect Current have?

The podcast currently has 28 episodes available.

The Connect Current episodes:

July 14, 2026 How TL Foundation Turns Community Capital Into San Diego’s Innovation Future featuring Kris Lichter
In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Kris Lichter, CEO of TL Foundation, to explore a different approach to investing in innovation. The conversation dives into how TL Foundation is transforming philanthropic capital into long-term investment in San Diego startups, creating an evergreen model that reinvests success back into the region. Kris shares what makes a company a strong fit for the fund, what founders should know before seeking investment, and why building a stronger innovation economy takes founders, investors, donors, and community leaders working together toward long-term impact.

Recorded at UC San Diego Park & Market:
https://parkandmarket.ucsd.edu/

Learn more about TL Foundation:
http://sandiegotlf.org
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21min
July 07, 2026 Building the Lab Infrastructure That Helps Biotech Startups Move Faster featuring Abubakar Jalloh
In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Abubakar "Abu" Jalloh, Site Director of BioLabs San Diego, to explore the infrastructure, community, and support systems that help life science startups move faster.
Abu shares how BioLabs San Diego helps early-stage biotech companies access lab space, equipment, operational resources, and strategic connections without the cost and complexity of building everything from scratch. The conversation explores why physical infrastructure matters so much in life sciences, where founders most often get stuck, and how strong ecosystems help promising science become viable companies.
From shared laboratory models to investor engagement and community-building, this episode offers a look at the often-overlooked foundation that helps biotech innovation move from concept to commercialization in San Diego’s thriving life sciences ecosystem.
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20min
June 30, 2026 Advancing New Hope for Fibrotic Disease featuring Gian Luca Araldi
In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Gian Luca Araldi, PhD, PharmD, MBA, PMP and Founder/CEO of Avanti Biosciences, to explore the challenge of developing new therapies for fibrotic diseases and what it takes to advance promising science toward the clinic.
Gian Luca shares how Avanti Biosciences is developing novel small-molecule therapies for conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an area of significant unmet medical need. The conversation explores the long path from discovery to clinical development, the role of regulatory milestones and non-dilutive funding, and why translating scientific insight into patient impact requires both innovation and disciplined execution.
As one of Connect's 2026 Cool Companies, Avanti represents the next generation of San Diego life sciences companies working to turn breakthrough research into meaningful therapeutic opportunities. This episode offers a look at the intersection of biotech innovation, drug development, and the future of precision medicine.
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17min
June 23, 2026 Turning Business Actions Into Verified Impact featuring Trevor Laudate
In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Trevor Laudate, Co-Founder of Ecodrive, to explore how businesses can turn everyday customer actions into measurable environmental impact.
Trevor shares how Ecodrive helps companies connect purchases, bookings, signups, and other customer interactions to verified sustainability initiatives, making it easier to create meaningful impact while building trust and engagement. The conversation explores why transparency matters in sustainability, how businesses can avoid vague environmental claims, and why verification is becoming increasingly important to customers.
As one of Connect's 2026 Cool Companies, Ecodrive represents a growing wave of startups using technology to align business growth with measurable positive impact. This episode offers a practical look at the intersection of sustainability, customer experience, and mission-driven innovation.
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19min
June 16, 2026 More Biology From Every Microscope featuring Ivana Mikić
In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Ivana Mikić, PhD, CEO of Sarpeda Inc., to explore how AI is helping researchers unlock more value from the biological imaging tools they already use.
Ivana shares how Sarpeda is using AI-powered software to improve fluorescence microscopy, reduce imaging challenges, and extract more biological information from existing research workflows. The conversation explores why better imaging matters for scientific discovery, what practical AI looks like in life sciences, and how researchers can gain deeper insights without costly infrastructure changes.
As one of Connect's 2026 Cool Companies, Sarpeda represents a new generation of startups applying advanced technology to real-world scientific challenges. This episode offers a look at the intersection of AI, biology, commercialization, and the future of research innovation.
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16min
June 09, 2026 Building Bionics That People Can Feel featuring Aadeel Akhtar
In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Aadeel Akhtar, Founder and CEO of Psyonic, to explore how advanced robotics and human-centered technology are reshaping the future of prosthetics and mobility. The conversation dives into Aadeel’s journey from research and engineering into company building, the mission behind Psyonic’s work, and how innovation can create more accessible, responsive, and life-changing solutions for people around the world. This episode also explores the intersection of AI, hardware, healthcare, and entrepreneurship, along with what it takes to build breakthrough technology with real human impact.
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21min
June 02, 2026 Connect 3.0: Building the Front Door to San Diego’s Innovation Economy featuring James Zanewicz
In this special episode of The Connect Current, Tre Braquet flips the script and interviews Connect CEO James Zanewicz about the vision behind Connect 3.0 and the future of San Diego’s innovation ecosystem. The conversation explores how Connect is evolving beyond events to become a front door, connective platform, and amplification engine for founders, investors, universities, companies, and civic leaders across the region. James breaks down the organization’s Pathways, Proof, and Platform framework, why ecosystem access matters more than ever, and how partners can think differently about visibility, relationships, and long-term innovation impact in San Diego.
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19min
May 26, 2026 What Prebys Ventures Looks for in San Diego Founders featuring Mike Krenn
In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Mike Krenn, Managing Director of Prebys Ventures, to explore what investors are really looking for in founders and early-stage companies. The conversation dives into how Prebys Ventures is approaching investment in San Diego’s innovation economy, what makes a company truly investable, and where founders most often struggle when raising capital. Mike also shares practical insight on how entrepreneurs can present themselves more effectively, build stronger investor conversations, and better position their companies for long-term growth and impact.
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20min
May 19, 2026 How Founders Can Connect with SDSU’s Research and Innovation Engine featuring Hala Madanat
In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Hala Madanat, Vice President for Research and Innovation at San Diego State University, to explore how universities can play a larger role in helping founders build and scale companies. The conversation dives into SDSU’s growing strengths across AI, National Security, technology, workforce development, and applied research, along with how startups can better engage with university talent, research, and partnerships. Hala also shares her perspective on connecting innovation to real-world impact and why stronger collaboration between academia, startups, and industry is critical to San Diego’s future innovation economy.
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23min
May 12, 2026 Turning Experience Into Action featuring Will Bright
In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Will Bright, Founder and CEO of Saferide.ai, to explore how personal experience can shape meaningful innovation. Will shares the journey that led to building a company focused on safety and mobility, and how lived insight can translate into real world solutions. The conversation highlights what it takes to turn an idea into action, the challenges of building with purpose, and the role of technology in creating safer, more connected communities. This episode offers a grounded look at how founders can transform personal perspective into lasting impact.
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25min

FAQs about The Connect Current:

How many episodes does The Connect Current have?

The podcast currently has 28 episodes available.