Connect Foundation https://connect.org/ SoCal's Innovation Community | Helping Tech & LifeSci Entrepreneurs Build Great Companies Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:53:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://connect.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-ConnectCircle-1-32x32.png Connect Foundation https://connect.org/ 32 32 Class of 2026 Cool Companies https://connect.org/class-of-2026-cool-companies/ https://connect.org/class-of-2026-cool-companies/#respond Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:00:51 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647618 Introducing the Cool Companies of 2026! Meet this year’s most promising technology and life sciences startups in Southern California. After a competitive selection process, Connect and its panel of judges selected 24 standout companies preparing to raise their first rounds of institutional funding. Cool Companies is Connect’s annual capital program designed to spotlight venture ready […]

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]]> https://connect.org/class-of-2026-cool-companies/feed/ 0 Springboard Corner: Early Spring 2026 https://connect.org/springboard-corner-early-spring-2026/ https://connect.org/springboard-corner-early-spring-2026/#respond Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:00:16 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647592 Welcome To The Springboard Corner This is your go-to spot for the latest achievements in the life sciences and high-tech startups sphere. Here, we shine a light on the trailblazers and innovators who’ve journeyed through Connect’s Springboard Program. Dive in to discover the groundbreaking milestones of the companies at the forefront of shaping our future. […]

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]]> https://connect.org/springboard-corner-early-spring-2026/feed/ 0 Connect Highlights Capital Growth and Innovation Momentum in 2025 Impact Report https://connect.org/connect-highlights-capital-growth-and-innovation-momentum-in-2025-impact-report/ https://connect.org/connect-highlights-capital-growth-and-innovation-momentum-in-2025-impact-report/#respond Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:32:57 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647576 SAN DIEGO – February 23, 2026 – Connect, San Diego’s original startup accelerator and a leading catalyst for innovation, today released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting a year of strong capital formation, ecosystem engagement, and continued growth for the region’s innovation economy. The report places Connect’s impact within the broader regional context: in 2025, San Diego companies raised $3.6 […]

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]]> https://connect.org/connect-highlights-capital-growth-and-innovation-momentum-in-2025-impact-report/feed/ 0 Connect Cool Companies Surpass $1 Billion in Series A Funding Since 2015 https://connect.org/connect-cool-companies-surpass-1-billion-in-series-a-funding-since-2015/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:00:57 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647486 SAN DIEGO – Jan. 14, 2026 – Companies selected through Connect Cool Companies have collectively raised more than $1 billion in Series A funding since 2015, marking a significant milestone for one of San Diego’s most established capital access programs for venture-ready startups. Cool Companies is an annual program designed to support high-tech and life sciences companies preparing to raise […]

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]]> 2025 Springboard Corner: A Year in Review https://connect.org/2025-springboard-corner-a-year-in-review/ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:00:58 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647312 A YEAR IN REVIEW Greetings and thank you for joining us at the Springboard Corner as we kick-off 2026! Getting started, we want to share with you some highlights from 2025. Chilldyne – founded in 2012, has developed unique liquid-cooling technology for data centers. They were acquired by Minneapolis-based Daikin Industries, a global company which […]

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]]> Connect Promotes Dr. Petra Stegmann as Head of Entrepreneurial Programs https://connect.org/connect-promotes-dr-petra-stegmann-as-head-of-entrepreneurial-programs/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:32:27 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647298 SAN DIEGO, December 17, 2025 – Connect, the nonprofit organization that has served as a trusted partner to San Diego’s innovation community for 40 years, today announced the promotion of Dr. Petra Stegmann as Head of Entrepreneurial Programs. Dr. Stegmann has been with Connect since 2011, serving in a range of roles that have supported founders across […]

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]]> Springboard Corner: December 2025 https://connect.org/springboard-corner-december-2025/ Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:00:35 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647175 Welcome To The Springboard Corner This is your go-to spot for the latest achievements in the life sciences and high-tech startups sphere. Here, we shine a light on the trailblazers and innovators who’ve journeyed through Connect’s Springboard Program. Dive in to discover the groundbreaking milestones of the companies at the forefront of shaping our future. […]

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]]> Connect Strengthens Leadership Team with Promotion of Cait Kelly to Chief Strategy Officer https://connect.org/connect-strengthens-leadership-team-with-promotion-of-cait-kelly-to-chief-strategy-officer/ Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:43:50 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647196 SAN DIEGO, December 1, 2025 — Connect, the premier nonprofit organization in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and cultivating thriving life science and technology communities, announced today that Cait Kelly has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer and will join the executive leadership team as the organization advances its ongoing growth and […]

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]]> Introducing: Lizbeth Dargi https://connect.org/introducing-lizbeth-dargi/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:00:57 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647140 Meet the team! Lizbeth Dargi👋 Creating spaces where meaningful relationships form. Let’s Connect I’m excited to join Connect as the Partnerships & Events Manager and support the founders, builders, and partners who are pushing bold ideas forward across San Diego. Continuous learning has always guided me. While studying International Relations at the Autonomous University of […]

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]]> Springboard Corner: Late Fall 2025 https://connect.org/springboard-corner-late-fall-2025/ Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:00:37 +0000 https://connect.org/?p=647097 Welcome To The Springboard Corner This is your go-to spot for the latest achievements in the life sciences and high-tech startups sphere. Here, we shine a light on the trailblazers and innovators who’ve journeyed through Connect’s Springboard Program. Dive in to discover the groundbreaking milestones of the companies at the forefront of shaping our future. […]

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