CONNECT Programs & Affiliates Overview

ACCESS TO CAPITAL:

Springboard & Springboard Spotlights
Mentoring for one to three months by Entrepreneurs-in-Residence to companies in all stages of development. Quarterly Spotlights profile graduates to investor community.

Venture Roundtable
Connecting venture capitalists to early stage venture opportunities in technology, life sciences and clean technology.

Tech Coast Angels
Network of private investors in early-stage Southern California companies.

ENTREPRENEUR EDUCATION:

FrameWorks Workshops
Half-day workshops, in-depth sessions on practical business skills.

Frontiers in Science & Technology
Lecture series showcases ground-breaking research efforts from San Diego’s research institutions.

CEO Strategy Forum
Exclusive community of CEOs, board members and VCs who share success strategies.

San Diego MIT® Enterprise Forum
CEOs present current challenges and obtain feedback from local business leaders. MIT Enterprise Forum Wine Tasting Social is the premier technology networking event attended by more than 700 business leaders.

NETWORKING, AWARDS and RECOGNITION

Most Innovative New Product Awards
“Oscars” for local technology innovation.

Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Awards
Recognizes pioneers who have helped architect our local innovation economy.

Connect with CONNECT
Twice a year, up to 300 technology leaders meet in a relaxed setting to expand their networks and create new partnerships.

PUBLIC POLICY

Public Policy Forum

Identifies legislative issues and advocates on behalf of innovation.

CONNECT-track
Regional economic indicator tracks the number of start-ups in San Diego each quarter.

CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT

CONNECT Sport Innovators

Unmanned Systems and Information Security Initiatives

CONNECT is presently incubating the Unmanned Systems (UxS, where the x represents undersea, air, ground, surface, etc.) and Information Security (IS) Initiatives for CEOs of emerging companies and senior executives of mature companies in these industries in San Diego.

Stem Cell on the Mesa

One-day symposium that draws together San Diego’s stem cell scientist, life sciences business executives and government officials to focus on treatments, product development and regulation surrounding stem cells advancement.

Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance

A membership organization whose mission is to expand the dialogue among companies, professionals, academia, entrepreneurs, and capital sources related to the convergence of wireless technologies, the life sciences, and consumers, through a one-day Investor’s Meeting; two-day Convergence Summit of C-level individuals; white papers, and other activities.