Springboard

Springboard, CONNECT's flagship program, is a business creation and development program. Innovators at all stages from lab to global bridges receive hands-on mentoring by successful CEOs, CFOs and CMOs in our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program. Springboard offers coaching in San Diego’s key verticals 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

The program is open to companies at these stages:

1. Innovation – working with early stage researchers to evaluate commercialization potential.
2. Technology Transfer – assisting researchers with company formation and a seed stage funding strategy.
3. Commercialization – three to five months of coaching to develop a compelling business proposition that can be presented to investors.
4. Transition – mentoring companies that are launching a new product, entering a new market, considering a spin-out or are faced with a major challenge.
5. Global Bridge – working with companies from other regions who want to open offices in San Diego to seek investment or enter a new market.

As part of the coaching process, CONNECT has a active cadre of more than 1,000 domain experts. This group is available to provide advice on your business model, marketing plan, financial model and projections, intellectual property, valuation, due diligence, financing, industry feedback or to provide valuable introductions to potential clients or strategic alliances.

To apply you must be based or plan to have a significant presence in the San Diego region, have a technology or science based innovation or general business concept and complete the online application form. TO APPLY, CLICK HERE.

For additional start-up resources, click here.

For SBIR and STTR resources, click here

For a full list of active EIRs, click here.

"Springboard was instrumental in the validation and refinement of both the preparation for the investment community and our presentation to the investment community. I highly recommend Springboard and applaud the services they provide."

"The Springboard program was essential to creating a successful pitch for our business plan, and the personal coaching we received from Springboard staff and volunteers helped us achieve immediate responses from funding sources. I absolutely recommend this program to anyone who wants to get maximum exposure and expertise for their venture. I highly commend Springboard staff for this excellent program."

"Academic faculty attempting to start a company must go through an interesting, but steep learning curve to understand the business of startups. CONNECT was invaluable in both educating me about this process and helping me to create a presentation suitable for this very different audience. My springboard presentation also introduced me to a range of different people who began the critical networking necessary for the start of my company."

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