SD Startup Week Wrap-Up: Keynote Insights from Qualcomm’s Dr. Jacobs

Wrapping up a week of transformative insights, the final day of San Diego Startup Week 2024, hosted at UC San Diego, brought together ambitious startups, seasoned experts, and venture enthusiasts. From hands-on technical workshops to enlightening discussions on global tech convergence, the event provided a fitting conclusion to a week devoted to innovation, collaboration, and community impact. Among the highlights were industry panels, mentor sessions, and an inspiring keynote interview with Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Co-founder of Qualcomm.

Morning Highlights: Scaling AI and Building a Global Mindset

The morning opened with an engaging panel titled "AI in Action" where AI CEOs shared their experiences on scaling practical AI solutions. Sheryl Anjanette of Parsley360, Neal Bloom from Interlock Capital, and Raj Sanghvi of Bitcot, alongside Neil Senturia of AskTuring.ai, discussed how they leverage AI to create meaningful, hype-free business efficiencies. They emphasized integrating AI in a way that complements human skills, urging startups to focus on pinpointing bottlenecks rather than deploying AI for its own sake.

Following this was "Global-Local Links: San Diego in a World in Flux", which explored the unique challenges and opportunities for San Diego-based startups with global aspirations. Dr. Liz Lyons from UCSD and Dennis Abremski from the Jacobs School of Engineering discussed major global challenges like supply chain vulnerabilities and cybersecurity threats. However, they underscored the importance of a strong social and collaborative ecosystem, explaining how regions with tightly knit communities often serve as the most resilient innovation hubs.

Afternoon Insight: GenAI Use Cases in Business and Life Sciences

In an afternoon session focused on GenAI applications across industries, leaders from Google AI, Accenture, and Resmed explored AI's potential to drive efficiencies, cost savings, and competitive advantages across business functions. Key use cases included automating workflows, optimizing data management, and augmenting existing processes to introduce innovation without overhauling entire systems. As a recurring theme, experts encouraged startups to view GenAI as a tool for enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them.

AI in Life Sciences featured leaders in biopharma and life sciences discussing AI’s transformative impact on drug development and patient care. Leaders, including Gene Yeo from Sanford Labs, explained AI's role in accelerating research through simulated data and predictive models, allowing scientists to refine therapeutic targets more quickly and effectively. However, they also stressed the necessity of balancing technological advancements with human expertise in fields like drug development and genomics.

Keynote Fireside Chat: Dr. Irwin Jacobs on Innovation and Community

Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Qualcomm Co-founder and former CEO, delivered a captivating and deeply insightful keynote on the final day of San Diego Startup Week, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset that has driven his storied career. In an hour-long interview with Vice Chair Cheryl Goodman, Dr. Jacobs touched on topics from the rapid advancement of AI to the essential qualities he believes define successful entrepreneurs.

Vision for AI and Robotics:

Dr. Jacobs sees AI and robotics as technologies with transformative potential to increase productivity on a scale that may soon lead to shorter workweeks. He shared how earlier technology waves, such as personal computers and smartphones, took years to impact productivity. However, AI and robotics have the potential to accelerate change rapidly, leading to more accessible, efficient solutions across industries. Dr. Jacobs expressed optimism about AI’s potential to empower individuals, predicting a future where people use their extra time to pursue education, creative projects, and artistic endeavors. He also highlighted the importance of making these advancements accessible, ensuring AI and robotics benefit a wide demographic and foster cultural and educational growth.

The Skills That Shape a Young Entrepreneur:

When asked about the best skills for young entrepreneurs, Dr. Jacobs advised them to develop both breadth and depth in their knowledge. While a strong grasp of specific areas, like business law or accounting, is essential, Dr. Jacobs emphasized that keeping up with rapid technological shifts requires a broad educational foundation. He shared that his own path began in academia, where he taught theory for years before transitioning to business to apply those theories. This, he said, helped him approach problems from multiple angles, equipping him to lead Qualcomm and push forward groundbreaking technological ideas.

The Unique Innovation Culture in San Diego:

Describing San Diego’s tech culture, Dr. Jacobs praised the city’s open, cooperative environment, which he believes distinguishes it from other tech hubs. Many leaders in San Diego’s tech sector moved there from elsewhere, contributing to an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere where new ideas are embraced, and partnerships are encouraged. He urged other cities to foster a similar culture, saying that a cooperative spirit and openness to new ideas are the backbone of a thriving innovation community.

Reflecting on Success and the Key to Seizing Opportunity:

When reflecting on his own success, Dr. Jacobs credited an unconventional habit: waking up at 4 a.m. to solve complex challenges. He explained that early-morning hours often brought clarity and innovative solutions, allowing him to approach problems from fresh perspectives before going back to sleep. Dr. Jacobs also highlighted the importance of adaptability, explaining that successful leaders need to constantly adjust and evolve their strategies. Embracing change rather than fearing it, he said, was fundamental to Qualcomm's success.

He also shared an anecdote on how he recognized opportunity, citing the moment he proposed integrating cameras into cell phones—a concept met with skepticism at the time. In 1999, data speeds were limited, and the idea seemed unnecessary to many. But Dr. Jacobs had the vision to look beyond present limitations and imagine how the technology could serve future users. He urged entrepreneurs to cultivate the same forward-thinking mindset, reminding them that “most ideas should be passed over, but you need to see things differently to find the ones that matter.”

Balancing Profit with Community Impact:

In a conversation about corporate responsibility, Dr. Jacobs underscored his belief in supporting the communities where companies operate. At Qualcomm, he prioritized initiatives that benefited employees and their surrounding communities, noting that when companies contribute to local causes, it creates a positive cycle of motivation and loyalty among employees. He shared how his own philanthropic efforts focus on causes he cares about, particularly in the arts and education. “We’re a community,” he said. “How can you help the community? Through education, paying taxes, and supporting cultural activities.”

Current Challenges and Innovations in Energy and AI:

Touching on the energy sector, Dr. Jacobs noted that battery technology has made progress in prototypes but often faces scaling issues, especially as China and other countries explore improvements. While there is promising work in both battery and alternative power, he emphasized that energy innovation needs to accelerate if it is to keep pace with AI's demands. In the realm of AI, he expressed excitement about advancements in medical imaging and pattern recognition, predicting significant applications in healthcare diagnostics and treatment.

His “University” Approach to Business and Reflections on His Career Path:

Dr. Jacobs likened Qualcomm’s culture to that of a university, explaining that he valued the intellectual environment of welcoming new people, exchanging ideas, and constantly tackling new questions. This approach fostered a culture of continuous learning and curiosity, which he believes was key to Qualcomm's innovative achievements. Reflecting on his career, he spoke fondly of his academic roots, where he spent half his time on subject matter and the other half on committees. In contrast, he joked that business decisions were all made in committees, which, he admitted, wasn’t as interesting to him.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Final Reflections:

When asked if he had any regrets, Dr. Jacobs replied, “It all worked out pretty well.” But he reminded the audience that every stage in business comes with its own unique challenges, saying, “Every stage in business is hard. There’s always a better way of thinking about things," adding that success is found by continuously seeking ways to improve. His final piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs was to embrace the community aspect of their work, emphasizing that “how you help the community matters.” His philanthropy, he explained, is driven by a desire to make a positive impact in areas he is passionate about, from supporting educational initiatives to funding cultural programs.

Dr. Jacobs closed with a reminder that, ultimately, the most important asset a company has is its employees. “Employees are motivated by the community they live in. By giving to the community, we make our employees happy because they have the resources to enjoy their lives.”

Closing Celebration and Takeaways

The evening concluded with the Heavyweight Founders Fight Club, a high-stakes pitch competition where entrepreneurs pitched their startups in a lively showdown, followed by the official after-party. Reflecting on the week’s sessions, attendees walked away from San Diego Startup Week with fresh insights, lasting connections, and inspiration to continue innovating and contributing to San Diego’s growing tech ecosystem.