Tacos and Tech Podcast

New podcast series within Tacos and Tech: AI Builders Roundtable!Neal sits down with Craig Lauer and Ross Young on a day both Anthropic and OpenAI dropped major releases to talk about what it actually looks like to build with AI right now. Ross walks through how his team at Clinically AI built an internal AI operating system using Claude Co-work - from voice-interviewing department heads to capture tribal knowledge, to running full pipeline reviews from HubSpot in natural language. Craig shares how LaunchMate, the AI co-pilot he’s building for student founders at SDSU’s Zip Launchpad, uses persistent memory and multi-agent communication to keep founders moving. The conversation moves from tools to workflows to a surprisingly honest riff on identity - and what it means when intelligence is no longer your competitive advantage.Key Topics Covered:* The Anthropic 4-6 / OpenAI Codex same-day release and what it signals* LaunchMate: AI agents with persistent memory for founders, mentors, and cohort management at SDSU Zip Launchpad* “Tidbits” — auto-generated founder progress updates (”share without sharing”)* Ross’s AI operating system at Clinically AI: markdown knowledge bases, Claude Co-work projects, HubSpot integration, voice-mode interviews for tribal knowledge capture* The AI capability spectrum: chatbots → cloud agents with tool access → local agents with full computer access* OpenClaw vs. Co-work: excitement vs. enterprise readiness and security* Craig’s LettaBot/WhatsApp cautionary tale* Natural language as the new programming language - and why social workers may outperform engineers at agent programming* Processes they’ll never go back to: manual contract redlines, email triage* Identity in the age of AI - detaching professional worth from intelligenceLinks & Resources:* Clinically AI* SDSU Zip Launchpad* Claude Co-work by Anthropic* LaunchMate (in development)Connect on LinkedIn:* Craig Lauer* Ross Young* Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal Bloom sits down with Juanny Romero, founder and CEO of Mothership Coffee Roasters, for a raw and deeply human conversation about building businesses rooted in belonging—not hustle.Juanny shares her journey from growing up in Queens, leaving New York after 9/11 in search of agency, opening her first café in Las Vegas with no business plan during the Great Recession, and learning math from fifth-grade textbooks to keep the business alive. What started as a single café became Mothership—now an eight-figure company built around community, connection, and purpose.The conversation explores loneliness in modern society, why baristas are “architects of meaning,” and how revenue becomes a byproduct when people feel they belong. Juanny also shares her bold next chapter: slowing down, rejecting hustle culture, and empowering 1,000 women to become millionaires by giving Mothership away like seeds.Key Topics* Failing forward and finding agency* Building community as the real product* Opening during the Great Recession* Learning numbers to trust intuition* Scaling without losing soul* COVID, chaos, and creativity* Belonging as a business advantage* Mentorship, incentives, and boundaries* Redefining success beyond moneyLinks* Mothership Coffee RoastersConnect on LinkedIn* Juanny Romero* Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!2/9Debrief from 2026 VC OutlookJanuary 2026 Funding RecapSolve Energy IPO & Once Upon A Farm IPORakuten Medical $100M Series FMacroLayoffs Amazon 16,000 Traditional tech stocks are downIllumina partners with the SD Zoo Frozen ZooNew Dexcom CEONeal is back on twitter/XCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteSD Founder Hike - Feb 6SDAC Angel Investor Knowledge Night - Feb 10AFCEA West - Feb. 10-12TechCon Southwest Austin - Feb. 12-13 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal Bloom sits down with Cathy Pucher, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives at San Diego State University, to trace the roots and the future of San Diego’s startup and early-stage investing ecosystem. From Cathy’s early career in semiconductor sales at Texas Instruments and front-row seat to Qualcomm’s rise, to founding the EvoNexus startup incubator and helping SDSU become a central connector for founders and investors, this conversation is a masterclass in ecosystem-building.Together, Neal and Cathy unpack how San Diego’s culture differs from Silicon Valley, why experiential learning matters for both founders and investors, and how the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC) has become a critical on-ramp for new angel investors while putting meaningful capital to work in local startups. The episode also marks the kick off of SDAC Fund VIII, with applications now live for both startups and aspiring angels.Key Topics Covered* Cathy’s journey from electrical engineering at UCSD to global semiconductor sales at Texas Instruments* Early San Diego wireless startups and Qualcomm’s role in shaping the ecosystem* Why San Diego’s startup culture feels fundamentally different from Silicon Valley* The leap from big tech to startup leadership at PacketVideo* Creating EvoNexus as a free incubator for serial entrepreneurs* How SDSU transitioned from an “island” to an active startup ecosystem connector* Student-led startups and the power of founder–market fit* Why SDSU focuses on connecting founders to existing accelerators instead of duplicating them* The evolution of local angel investing in San Diego* How the San Diego Angel Conference trains and activates new angel investors* What makes SDAC a “learn by doing” model for early-stage investing* The structure, timeline, and goals of SDAC Fund VIII* Why local capital pipelines matter for long-term ecosystem health* How students are now being embedded directly into the angel investing processSan Diego Angel Conference (SDAC) Highlights* Applications for startups are now open* Startups from across the U.S. are eligible (with in-person requirements later in the process)* Investor Knowledge & Network Event: February 10 at C3 Bank* SDSU 2026 Angel Academy: March 6SDSU SDAC program is designed for accredited investors who want:• A structured way to learn early-stage investing• Exposure to real startups and real diligence• A peer group to learn alongside• Deeper connection to the San Diego startup ecosystem* Meetings kick off week of March 9th thru late MayIf you’re curious, SDSU is hosting a 2026 SDAC Information Sessions:Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 4:00 pm* Zoom link: https://SDSU.zoom.us/j/89569142579?jst=2Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 12-1 pm* Message me for the linkLinks & Resources* San Diego Angel Conference* Lavin Entrepreneurship CenterConnect on LinkedIn* Cathy Pucher* Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!1/24/2026* Blueprint Equity new fund 3 $333M* Seasats wins $24 million DoD award* Trust & Will new product* New hires at mPower and funding?Curated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote* 2026 VC Outlook - Jan. 29* Farmers Open - Jan 29 - Feb 1* AFCEA West - Feb. 10-12* TechCon - Feb. 12-13 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

A short audio reflection I recorded after noticing where momentum actually comes from.It’s not from more events.It’s from proximity, repetition, and trust.🎧 On The Radar — Episode 5 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal Bloom sits down with longtime friend, founder, and self-described “Maine Melon,” Jared Ruth, founder of Ripcurrent. What starts as a walk down memory lane through San Diego’s early startup ecosystem turns into a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, marketing, AI, and the human moments technology should protect - not replace.Jared shares his journey from decades in telecom and corporate innovation to building Ripcurrent, a marketing and automation agency focused on Main Street businesses. Together, Neal and Jared unpack how generative AI and no-code tools have radically lowered the barrier to building, why small businesses are both overwhelmed and empowered by tech, and how the next era of marketing isn’t about shouting louder - it’s about removing friction so humans can show up where it matters most.Key Topics Covered* Jared’s path from telecom and corporate innovation to founding Ripcurrent* Early days of San Diego’s startup ecosystem, Founder Dinners, and CTO roundtables* Building “startups inside big companies” and why that experience matters* The moment GenAI unlocked solo building and rapid experimentation* Vibe coding, no-code tools, and the rise of AI-native workflows* Why small and Main Street businesses struggle with modern marketing tech* Google Business Profiles, search, and what visibility means in an LLM-driven world* Automation as a way to remove transactional work - not human connection* Where AI agents help brands and where they can quietly destroy trust* Why trust and brand moments matter more than the underlying technology* Parallels between AI adoption and autonomous driving trust curves* Using technology to give business owners their time - and humanity - back* The optimism (and responsibility) that comes with building in the AI eraLinks & Resources* RipcurrentConnect with Jared & Neal* Jared Ruth* Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

A short audio reflection I recorded after noticing a familiar pattern while reading rock band autobiographies over the holidays.It’s not about music.It’s about how talent develops -slowly, quietly, over time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!1/15/2026* CES debrief* JPM happening now* Fundings & Acquisitions:* Ventyx acquired by Lily for $1.2B* Mirador Therapeutics Raises $250M Series B* ibio $26M in Private Placement Funding* BlueNalu Funding* Cubic & Palantir teaming up* Resmed gets FDA approval on AI CPAP* Air Surgical Lands $2.6M GrantCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteTechCon Austin - Feb 12-13 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal Bloom sits down with Eric Aguilar, co-founder and CEO of Omnitron Sensors, to unpack the deep tech powering the next wave of robotics, autonomous systems, and AI infrastructure. From Eric’s early days working on defense sensors and his journey through Google and Tesla, to building one of the most powerful MEMS-based micro-machines on the market, this conversation explores why physical AI is finally having its moment - and what it takes to solve real-world reliability problems at scale.Eric breaks down why LiDAR has struggled to reach mass adoption, how Omnitron rethought the problem from first principles, and why the same core technology is now attracting attention from trillion-dollar hyperscalers looking to radically reduce data center power consumption. Along the way, they dive into biomimicry, energy efficiency, manufacturing constraints, and what it really means to build a “painkiller, not a vitamin.”Key Topics Covered* Eric’s path from Navy research labs to Google, Tesla, and founding Omnitron Sensors* Why LiDAR reliability - not hype - has been the biggest blocker to autonomous systems* How MEMS-based silicon micro-machines replace failure-prone mechanical LiDAR components* The “war on LiDAR” and why cameras alone still fall short in autonomy* Omnitron’s breakthrough in building large, high-force, highly reliable MEMS mirrors* Why physical AI and robotics are converging right now* How Omnitron’s technology extends beyond automotive into AI data centers and optical switching* Saving massive amounts of energy by keeping data optical instead of electrical* The hidden challenges of scaling hardware, manufacturing, and global supply chains* Why MEMS has historically been underfunded - and why that’s changing* Biomimicry as a tool for engineering breakthroughs* Advice for engineers and operators thinking about taking the leap into startups* Why the best startups solve urgent pain, not “nice-to-have” problems* Eric’s very non-consensus taco pick (hint: it’s a legendary San Diego burger)Links & Resources* Omnitron Sensors – https://www.omnitronsensors.comConnect with Eric* Eric Aguilar on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve been noticing something lately about what happens after meetings -and what changes when the work doesn’t stall anymore. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this live session from a recent SDAC Knowledge & Network Event hosted at Mintz Law’s office, investor Neal Bloom and corporate attorney Sebastian Lucier pull back the curtain on what due diligence really means for early-stage startup investing.Whether you’re a founder preparing to fundraise or an aspiring angel investor doing your first deal, this session is packed with sharp insights and war stories - from spotting red flags on cap tables to identifying green flags that signal breakout potential.Moderated by Cathy Pucher, this conversation offers a rare dual lens: from the investor side and the legal side.Key Topics Covered:* Why due diligence is different for early-stage companies* How to structure founder equity and employment terms the right way* Why investor scorecards work best as conversation tools, not decision tools* When to walk away - even after doing the work* How investors stay involved after the check clearsConnect on LinkedIn:* Sebastian Lucier – Mintz* Cathy Pucher – SDSU ZIP Launchpad* Neal Bloom – Rising Tide Partners This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!1/5/2026Draft numbers of total VC Investment into SD Companies in 2025: $3.4BSelect top fundings:* Tech:* ShieldAI $240M, Cybereason $120M, Flock Fleight $60M, Clearspeed $60M, FABRIC8LABS $50M, Equip $46M* Biotech:* Crystalis Therapeutics $205M; Timberlyne Therapeutics $180M; Protego Biopharma $130M; Aspen Neuroscience $115M; Raythera $110M2025 Acquisitions:* Avidity $12B by Novartis* Cidara Therapeutics $9.2B Merck* Capstan Thera $2.1B by AbbVie* Arthrosi Thera $1B* Kate Thera $1.1B* Regulus Therapeutics acquired by Novartis ($1.7B)* Nalu Medical $500MIPOs:* Aardvark Thera* Aptera* Once Upon A Farm* Carlsmed* MapLight Therapeutics2026 Predictions* More IPOs & M&A, market up* Fundings up, in specific areas, more in other markets than SD* More return to office, in specific areasCarta Startup Ranking - San Diego #6Trust & Will Holiday BowlTED announced move to SDCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteCES - Jan. 5-10Carlsbad Industry Exchange - Jan. 6JPM - Jan. 12-15State of Venture event - Jan. 29 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

A short audio reflection on something I’ve been noticing about willpower - and what happens when it quietly stops being the thing that matters.This episode isn’t about discipline.It’s about what changes when friction is removed instead of resisted.That’s what’s on my radar. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

A short audio reflection on something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since my first ride in a Waymo.Not because the technology was impressive -but because of what happened to my attention once I stopped needing to be alert.This episode isn’t about autonomy.It’s about what changes when vigilance disappears.That’s what’s on my radar. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode, we bring you a practical, high-context walkthrough of early-stage investing hosted by the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC). With insights from the Pillsbury ECVC legal team and SDAC organizers, this session offers angel investors - both new and experienced - a clear breakdown of key financing instruments like SAFEs, convertible notes, and priced equity rounds.We cover the structure and implications of different entity types (C-Corps, LLCs, S-Corps), the nuance behind valuation caps and discounts, the benefits of pro rata rights, and the tax advantages of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS). Whether you’re gearing up for Fund 8 or thinking about writing your first check, this session equips you with the frameworks and real-world insights you need to invest smarter.Key Topics Covered* Why SDAC is building year-round investor education & networking events* Overview of startup legal structures: LLCs vs. C-Corps (and why Delaware still leads)* What investors should understand about SAFE agreements* How post-money valuation caps really work (and how they differ from discounts)* Why side letters can protect your upside: pro rata, info rights, MFNs, and more* How convertible notes differ from SAFEs and when they might be preferable* Real red flags on cap tables and what they tell you about a company’s past* What to know about Zombie SAFEs (and how to avoid them)* Tax advantages of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and recent updates to eligibility* The evolving dynamics of angel rounds, bridge financing, and recapitalizationsLinks & Resources* San Diego Angel Conference Website* Qualified Small Business Stock Overview – IRS This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Jared Tangney, co-founder and CTO of Biolinq. From their early EvoNexus days to today’s FDA clearance, Jared walks us through the incredible journey of Biolinq - how it pivoted from sweat-sensing tattoos to a revolutionary microneedle platform that can measure glucose, lactate, and even cortisol with no blood and no pain.Jared shares how a Mailchimp newsletter led to their first investor, Mark Cuban, and why he believes San Diego is the global epicenter for biosensing innovation. With a focus on serving the largest segment of the diabetes population and plans to expand into broader metabolic and stress biomarkers, Biolinq is changing what’s possible in wearable health tech.Key Topics Covered:* How Biolinq’s microneedle platform works and why it matters* From sweat-based sensors to skin-based semiconductors* Lessons from nearly a decade of R&D and pivots* Measuring glucose, lactate, and now cortisol - what’s next?* How a newsletter sign-up brought Mark Cuban in as the first investor* Navigating FDA clearance and commercialization strategies* San Diego’s competitive edge in biosensing, diabetes tech, and medical wearables* The growing importance of AI and multi-analyte sensing in personal health* Reflections on community, startup persistence, and tacos (Fish 101 for the win)Links & Resources:Learn more about BiolinqConnect with Jared Tangney:LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this special live episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, we take you inside the latest Burbank Tech Talk event, recorded at Tailored Space in the heart of the Media Capital of the World. This panel brought together creators, founders, and technologists to explore the fast-shifting landscape of entertainment, gaming, and AI—and what it means for the future of storytelling, monetization, and creativity.From visual effects to streaming-era music deals to real-time game personalization powered by AI, this episode dives into what’s working now, what’s being disrupted, and what’s coming next. Whether you’re a founder, artist, developer, or fan of the future, you’ll walk away with clear-eyed insights on where media and tech are headed.In this episode, we cover:* Why AI is more workflow revolution than job replacement—and how creators are adapting* The rise of AI-as-inspiration in music, gaming, and film* How independent creators can build real businesses with the new tools (if they think like founders)* Why monetization and royalties are still the biggest friction points in music tech* What’s coming next: global content, micro-audiences, and curated experiences in the AI era* The growing importance of local innovation ecosystems like Burbank in a rapidly decentralized creative economyFeatured Speakers:* Nova Renay– Host and moderator, composer, producer, and creative technologist* George Karalexis and Donna Budica of Ten2 – Music entrepreneurs helping artists monetize through content transparency and UGC* Alan Lasky – Former VFX and studio exec, speaking on the evolution of visual effects and media economics* Cody Germain – Founder of Bear Club Games, previously at Riot and Epic Games, sharing how AI is transforming real-time gameplay and player experienceKey Topics Covered:* The myths vs. realities of AI in creative work* How generative tools like Suno and Sora are being used behind the scenes by major producers* AI in game engines, browser-based games, and new distribution channels* The death of theatrical? What it means for local film production* Independent vs. major label artist trajectories in the TikTok era* The opportunity for cities like Burbank to lead through local investment in experimentation, talent, and infrastructureLinks & Resources:* Tailored Space – coworking host location* Burbank Economic Development Division* Ten2 Media* Rise and Tide Partners* Upcoming Burbank Events:* Burbank Tech Talks: [Tech, Talent & the New Learning Economy] – January 20, 2026Watch the Recording:📺 Full Video Link🎬 Event Recap Teaser Clip This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

SDSU ZIP Fall 2025 Bootcamp: Building Fast, Building SmartIn this special edition of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, we dive into the action-packed day that was the SDSU ZIP Launchpad Fall 2025 Startup Bootcamp. Designed to push student founders from idea to impact in just four hours, the students go from brand new ideas on a whiteboard, using AI co-pilots to get quick customer development simulations, building a first product with generative AI, and then actually selling pre-orders or actual sales - all in less than 4 hours. This bootcamp introduced a two-track system - Problem-First and Idea-First - giving students the chance to either discover a real-world problem or go all-in on an idea they already had.We cover how over 100 students used AI tools, street interviews, customer empathy techniques, and rapid prototyping to validate their assumptions, build MVPs, and in most cases - make actual sales.Craig Lauer, Cameron Brock, Erica Snider, and the SDSU ZIP Launchpad/Lavin Entrepreneurship Center led an incredible day to support founders from the start.In this episode, we cover:* The design of the two-track builder experience: Track A (Problem-First) and Track B (Idea-First)* What it means to validate ideas through customer currency* Why teams that pivoted based on user feedback outperformed others* Key takeaways from the guest session with Chris Barber on deep customer empathy* Behind-the-scenes reflections from mentors and organizers* Final results: over 222 real-world sales transactions in just four hoursKey Results:* 222+ real-world transactions by student teams* Dozens of MVPs launched using GPT, Canva, V0, and no-code tools* Multiple teams built landing pages, got preorders, and refined pitches based on live feedback* Winning teams were recognized for best problem validation, most sales, and strongest empathy-driven designMy dream is for every (SDSU) student to start their first week of school with a sprint like this—where they learn their own potential by building, validating, and selling on Day 1. The ZIP Launchpad and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center make that possible, but only with continued community support.If you’d like to help fuel more student builders, you can contribute to the SDSU Lavin Seed Fund here:https://business.sdsu.edu/news/2025/11/lavin-entrepreneurs This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

In this special edition of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, we recorded live from Snapdragon Stadium during the 2025 Top Tech Awards San Diego.We set up shop right on the concourse and captured conversations with the builders, technologists, students, and community leaders shaping the region’s innovation economy. From cybersecurity to community impact, from AI in education to employee scheduling powered by LLMs—this episode captures the real pulse of San Diego tech, one voice at a time.Oh, and plenty of taco recommendations.Episode Highlights:* Julie Oliveira, Director of Tech at South Bay Union School District, shares how COVID reshaped education and why student creation over consumption is key.* RingCentral’s Erica and Natalie talk AI, seamless work-life blending, and mobile-first sales workflows.* John Stern (Ringpin) shares how location-based QR tech is transforming retail hiring.* Bill Smith (Chrome Roads) explains how a smart ID badge is changing how workers log in, stay secure, and get help fast.* Cal State San Marcos and SDSU students reflect on entering the workforce during the AI boom - and how they’re already using AI to job hunt.* Citroen Cooperman leaders dive into fractional CFO services, ERP upgrades, and what happens when AI + accounting get serious.* Jeff Blanton (Conscious Curiosity SD) breaks down how B Corps and values -driven leadership are shaping a new tech economy.* Marco Thompson (Arcus Nexus) recaps a decade of cross-border startup support and nearshoring before it was cool.* Cheryl Goodman (Mind the Machine podcast) explores AI’s human implications and why the next big thing isn’t the tool - but the culture shift it forces.* European founders visiting via the YTILI program reflect on their first impressions of San Diego’s startup scene.* Ron Nielakes and Shirin Alipana highlight how the YMCA of Escondido is evolving to serve its community with purpose, tech, and tacos.Taco Intel You Didn’t Know You Needed:* Anaheim’s Tacos Los Cholos and Escondido’s TJ Tacos made the list* Learn about the loaded fries that may or may not have been invented in North County* Where to find the best post-party tacos near Snapdragon Stadium (hint: Tacos El Gordo and Puesto)🔗 Connect & Explore:* Top Tech Awards San Diego* Mind the Machine podcast* Arcus Nexus* Citroen Cooperman* YMCA Escondido This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe