SD Startup Week 2024 Day 1: Highlights from Carlsbad’s Innovation Hub

The 12th annual San Diego Startup Week kicked off on October 21st, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and innovators from across San Diego and Tijuana for a five-day celebration of entrepreneurship and startup culture. Hosted in various locations throughout the week, Day 1 took place in Carlsbad, CA, and was packed with insightful sessions, live podcasts, and networking opportunities.

Setting the Stage for Innovation

This year’s theme, “Making Waves of Innovation,” perfectly encapsulates the energy and ambition that filled the conference. With a focus on showcasing the San Diego-Baja startup ecosystem, the event is set to feature pitch competitions, mentorship madness, startup expos, and more, all while highlighting key startup hubs in both cities.

Over 1,500 attendees, including founders, entrepreneurs, students, and startup leaders, are expected to participate in the week-long event, gaining access to curated content, engaging panels, and opportunities to connect with mentors and investors. The expo booths, like those representing cloud solutions and business services, offered valuable networking opportunities for attendees to learn more about cutting-edge technologies and services available to startups. As noted in the welcome address, the conference owes its success to the incredible volunteers who make up 95% of the event staff!

A Live Podcast Featuring Local Founders

One of the key highlights of Day 1 was the live podcast hosted by Rylie Jennings (Thought Curator, Baddies Mean Business) and Taryell Simmons (Founder, RISE Urban Nation Podcast), who spoke with five local founders. Each had 15 minutes to share their entrepreneurial journey, offering attendees a peek behind the curtain of startup life.

• Keely Antonio, Founder of Feels Well Experiences, shared her mission to address workplace burnout and isolation by organizing corporate wellness retreats in nature. By fostering connection through immersive experiences like campfires and outdoor activities, Antonio provides year-round tools for corporate leaders to prioritize mental well-being.

• TJ Harris, Executive Director of the Blac Leadership Alliance Coalition, captivated the audience with his passionate discussion on empowering leaders of color. His organization focuses on cultural empowerment, providing leaders with resources to effect change in their communities. Harris’s dedication to combating economic deprivation and promoting racial identity support was evident in his emotional recounting of success stories from the program. TJ is actively raising $10,000 for the Empower You program, furthering his mission to equip emerging leaders of color with the tools and resources they need. If you'd like to make a donation, you can visit their website.

• Dissaya Theerakaosal, Founder of Shroomeats, introduced her sustainable, meat-alternative product made with only six ingredients. Unlike other meat alternatives, Shroomeats is both health-conscious and environmentally friendly. Dissaya stressed the importance of balance, encouraging consumers to incorporate the product into their diets rather than going fully vegan. Her product is already in select independent stores like Jensen's and Sprouts.

• Olivia Rutman, Founder of Kids Care Finder, presented her platform connecting parents with childcare services. Inspired by the rising costs of childcare, Rutman aims to streamline access to after-school activities, sports, and camps. She emphasized the importance of networking and investor engagement for startups seeking funding.

• Alex Waters, Coach and Nonprofit Leader of The Program Labs, gave practical advice to entrepreneurs: focus on the “boring stuff.” From back-end office operations to finances, Waters stressed that building a strong foundation in these areas is critical for scaling and avoiding costly mistakes.

Game Changers in Sports Performance

Day 1 also featured a panel on innovation in sports performance, featuring local entrepreneurs pushing the boundaries of active lifestyle brands. The panelists included Joshua Church, Co-Founder of Edge Theory Labs, Nicholas Esayian, CEO of LIGHT Helmets, Krystal Gillis, Founder of Tighties, and Bob Rief, Executive Director of San Diego Sport Innovators.

The discussion explored how lifestyle drives product creation, and how products, in turn, create new lifestyles. Innovators, they noted, must be willing to listen to their inner voice and persist despite criticism. The panel also offered valuable advice on finding the right network to support your journey and charting your own path in the face of obstacles.

Fireside Chat: Scaling from Grounds to Greatness

The day wrapped up with a fireside chat featuring Chuck Patton, Founder of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, and Mike Glanz, CEO of Talitha Coffee Roasters. Both leaders shared their experiences scaling their businesses while making a positive social impact. Glanz's company, for example, employs survivors of human trafficking, while Patton’s efforts in rainforest conservation have had lasting effects on the communities he works with.

Day 1 Takeaways

While I was unable to attend the Real Talk: The Creator Economy session and the closing keynote featuring Sarah Davis, Founder & CEO of Fashionphile, it’s worth mentioning that these sessions also generated buzz among attendees. Davis’s story of turning used luxury fashion into a multi-million dollar business certainly inspired many.

Despite missing those sessions, Day 1 of San Diego Startup Week provided a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and connection opportunities. From live podcast interviews to insightful panel discussions, the event kicked off with a strong focus on community, innovation, and impact.

The week promises more exciting sessions across different locations, and I’ll continue to share highlights as San Diego Startup Week unfolds.

If you're interested in attending, individual day tickets for the remaining sessions of San Diego Startup Week 2024 are still available. Don’t miss out on the chance to join the innovation and connect with the startup community—get your tickets here.