Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.

Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!

I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners.

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!

1/5/2026

Draft numbers of total VC Investment into SD Companies in 2025: $3.4B

Select top fundings:

* Tech:

* ShieldAI $240M, Cybereason $120M, Flock Fleight $60M, Clearspeed $60M, FABRIC8LABS $50M, Equip $46M

* Biotech:

* Crystalis Therapeutics $205M; Timberlyne Therapeutics $180M; Protego Biopharma $130M; Aspen Neuroscience $115M; Raythera $110M

2025 Acquisitions:

* Avidity $12B by Novartis

* Cidara Therapeutics $9.2B Merck

* Capstan Thera $2.1B by AbbVie

* Arthrosi Thera $1B

* Kate Thera $1.1B

* Regulus Therapeutics acquired by Novartis ($1.7B)

* Nalu Medical $500M

IPOs:

* Aardvark Thera

* Aptera

* Once Upon A Farm

* Carlsmed

* MapLight Therapeutics

2026 Predictions

* More IPOs & M&A, market up

* Fundings up, in specific areas, more in other markets than SD

* More return to office, in specific areas

Carta Startup Ranking - San Diego #6

Trust & Will Holiday Bowl

TED announced move to SD

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

CES - Jan. 5-10

Carlsbad Industry Exchange - Jan. 6

JPM - Jan. 12-15

State of Venture event - Jan. 29

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