Entrepreneurs-In-Residence

CONNECT’s prestigious Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) program offers one-on-one coaching by successful CEOs who have hands-on experience as a founder, raising capital, building a company through a significant growth phase and piloting an exit.

EIRs are volunteers who provide coaching and expert input to CONNECT’s Springboard Program, Most Innovative New Product Awards, Venture Roundtable and CONNECT’s Sport Innovator Capital Forum.

Today there are more than 100 EIRs from a wide range of clusters including:

  • Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and wireless health
  • Clean technology
  • Software, Web 3.0 and cyber security
  • Action and sports products, services and advanced materials
  • Communications technology
  • Autonomous robotics

CONNECT’s EIRs also provide mentoring to CommNexus’s EvoNexus incubator and UC San Diego’s Entrepreneur Challenge Program.

For more information on becoming an EIR contact Ruprecht von Buttlar

For a full list of active EIRs click here.




Program Contact:


Ruprecht von Buttlar
Springboard Director
Email: rvonbuttlar@connect.org
Phone: (858) 964-1309
Fax: (858) 964-1301

Steve Hoey
Program Manager
Email: shoey@connect.org
Phone: (858) 964-1308
Fax: (858) 964-1301

San Diego
Office Address
8950 Villa La Jolla Drive
Suite A124
La Jolla, CA 92037

Mailing Address
8950 Villa La Jolla Drive
Suite A124
La Jolla, CA 92037

Washington DC
Office Address
1608 Rhode Island Ave
Suite 245
Washington DC, 20036