Tacos and Tech Podcast

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!3/12* Seasats visit debrief* BlueNalu tasting debrief* SD Angel Academy Debrief* $100 Genome by Element Bio* New fundings:* Candid Therapeutics reverse merger of $500M+* Spinogenix * Qureator* NuFund Ventures Closes Most Successful Year Since 2021* BAE Systems wins support contract for F-16* Carlsbad proposed for undersea hub for cables between US and AustraliaCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteLongevity Innovation Forum 2026 March 11San Diego AgTech Gathering March 19March Mingle March 25SD AI x Bio March 26 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 the AI Builders Roundtable, the builders cross a line.Instead of just discussing AI-native companies, they use one - Polsia AI - to start new businesses live on the show.Neal, Craig, and Greg spin up real ventures, fund them, and watch agents begin executing tasks in real time. MVPs get scoped. Outreach campaigns get drafted. Websites get built. Autonomous execution starts.What begins as a demo turns into a deeper conversation about ownership, liability, trust, agent-to-agent commerce, and what happens when company creation becomes a commodity.This isn’t a thought experiment. It’s builders testing the edge.Key Topics* Launching AI-native companies live with Polsia AI* Funding autonomous agents to build and operate startups* When execution collapses toward zero* Agent-run outreach, marketing, and MVP development* Who holds liability when agents transact autonomously* Micro-venture economics and short business life cycles* Building for agents, not just humans* Why emotional trust may become more valuable in an autonomous worldLinks & Resources* Polsia AIConnect on LinkedIn* Neal Bloom* Craig Lauer* Greg Moser 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 Peter Goldsborough, co-founder and CTO of Rune, to unpack one of the most overlooked but decisive factors in modern warfare: logistics.Peter shares how his background in software and defense tech led him to a simple realization-while billions have been spent on weapons and command systems, military logistics still runs on spreadsheets, whiteboards, and paper. The conversation explores why future conflicts will be won or lost on decision speed, not firepower, and how Rune is turning logistics into a real-time, data-driven decision system used by the Army and Marines today.This episode dives into defense innovation, software in degraded environments, and why fixing logistics isn’t just a military problem-it’s a cognitive one.Key Topics* Why logistics decides wars* The problem with spreadsheets and whiteboards in the DoD* Turning logistics into a real-time decision system* Defense tech speed vs legacy procurement* Software for disconnected and high-stress environments* Lessons from Ukraine and the Pacific theater* When logistics becomes the bottleneck* Building resilient software for the physical worldLinks* Rune Connect on LinkedIn* Peter Goldsborough* 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 Episode 3 of the AI Builders Roundtable, the conversation jumps right into deployment.Craig, Greg, and Derrick break down what it actually looks like to run AI agents inside real companies - from shipping production code with Cursor to publishing crowdsourced sports data on-chain, to experimenting with autonomous bots that learn in public.This isn’t a hype conversation. It’s builders comparing notes while actively rewiring their businesses around AI-native workflows.The throughline:The interface is changing. The architecture is changing. The buyer may not even be human anymore.Key Topics* Why founders can’t afford to “wait and see” on AI* Edge models vs. cloud models - and why local compute is resurging* OpenClaw, Claude Code, GLM, and the new agent toolchain* Publishing data to blockchain as an AI settlement layer* Turning APIs into agent-friendly microtransactions* How AI compresses feedback loops inside product teams* SEO in a world where agents, not humans, query first* Building for networks vs. building for agentsLinks & Resources* ScoreStreamConnect on LinkedIn* Neal Bloom* Craig Lauer* Greg Moser* Derrick Oien 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, Neal sits down with Samantha Pantazopoulos, co-founder of Vizer, to unpack the company’s pivot from a consumer fitness rewards app to a B2B retail demand engine used by brands like Olipop and Health-Ade.What started as a mission-driven app tying workouts to food bank donations evolved - through COVID, retailer shutdowns, and customer pull - into a platform helping brands drive measurable retail velocity across Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, and beyond.This conversation dives into what it really takes to pivot, how offers power demand generation, and why grocery may be one of the most complex - and fascinating - battlegrounds in tech today.Key Topics* How Vizer pivoted from consumer app to enterprise CPG platform* Why COVID forced a rethink of the original marketplace model* The fragmented world of grocery offers: paper, rebate, retailer apps, and beyond* Turning marketing impressions into measurable retail conversions* Compressing the funnel with QR codes, paid media, and off-site offers* The tension between DTC, Amazon, and in-store retail strategies* Why data in CPG has historically lagged behind DTC* How brands are thinking about AI in retail* What drives trial and long-term retention in grocery* Creative campaigns: sweepstakes, surprise-and-delight, and experiential activationsLinks & Resources* VizerConnect on LinkedIn* Samantha Pantazopoulos 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!2/22* SD Wind Tunnel Debrief* Biotech Mixer Debrief* Cal AI acquired* Atrium Spins out from Novartis with $270M* Tandem Diabetes bests $1B in sales* Software programs decline except at ucsd* https://x.com/aakashgupta/status/2024710361950384531?s=20* Fred named to SDBJ Black Leaders of InfluenceCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote* SDAC Founder Applications are due this Thursday March 5* SD Founders Hike March 6* SD Angel Academy March 6* Alliance Societal Impact - Family Office Summit March 15-16* March Mingle March 25 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 what changes when context stops resetting.And what happens when it starts compounding instead. 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 Troy Helming, founder and CEO of EarthGrid, to explore one of the most ambitious infrastructure plays of our time: building an underground super grid. Troy shares how a chance conversation about Navy SEAL plasma cutters sparked the idea for plasma-based tunnel boring, and how EarthGrid is now using that technology to dramatically reduce the cost, time, and friction of underground infrastructure.The conversation spans Troy’s decades-long journey through clean energy, wind, solar, and transmission, the real bottlenecks slowing the energy transition, and why underground infrastructure may be the fastest path to unlocking renewable power, AI data centres, water systems, and broadband at scale. From melting granite with plasma to navigating regulation as a registered utility, this episode is a masterclass in deep tech, systems thinking, and building for generational impact.Key Topics Covered* The origin story of EarthGrid and plasma-based tunnel boring* How a Navy SEAL plasma cutting torch inspired a new approach to excavation* The 10–20 year reality of permitting overhead power lines* How underground infrastructure cuts permitting timelines dramatically* Troy’s background in wind and solar and building multi-billion-dollar energy platforms* Plasma excavation vs traditional drilling, blasting, and tunneling* EarthGrid’s patented “Thunderdome” spoils removal system* Trenching vs tunneling use cases for data centers, utilities, and substations* Why EarthGrid operates as both a contractor and a utility* The BOOM model: Build, Own, Operate, Maintain* Underground infrastructure as long-term, cash-flowing real estate* AI-driven data center demand and the infrastructure crunch* Why regulation can be a competitive advantage, not a blocker* Troy’s long-term vision for quality-of-life improvements through infrastructureLinks & Resources* EarthGridConnect on Linkedin* Troy Helming* 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

In the span of days, the “AI news cycle” moved again: OpenClaw has been acquired.Craig Lauer (longtime Qualcomm builder turned angel investor), Ross Young (CEO of Clinically AI, building tools for behavioral health), and Greg Moser (CEO of ShipCalm) break down what they’re seeing… then Greg takes it from theory to practice with a real demo of how he’s deployed autonomous agents inside his company via Slack.Key Topics:* Why OpenClaw’s biggest breakthrough wasn’t just autonomy - it was memory + agency* The difference between 1:1 AI chat and social, collaborative AI inside teams* Why “execution” may no longer be the moat - mental models might be* How to think about AI security when giving agents real power* What the “adoption layer” means - and why it may be the next big opportunity* How companies can move from AI-curious to AI-nativeLinks & resources* ShipCalm* Clinically AI* CursorConnect on LinkedIn* Craig Lauer* Ross Young * Greg Moser* 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!2/18TechCon Southwest DebriefFund raises:Shield AI - possibly raising $1B on $12BSeasats $20M Series A raise Karmel Capital new fundPlantible FDA ApprovalCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteSD Gaming Tech Leaders Gathering - Feb. 24Biocom Investor Conference - Feb. 24-26SD Angel Academy - March 6 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

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!2/13Super Bowl ads worth mentioning:Rain Drop Agency. Manscape, TurboTax/Intuit, Poppi/Pepsi (local investors)SD Regional GDP/Economics report & event debriefUCSD leading NASA missionsBiotechIambic inks $1.7B deal with TakedaFormer DermTech CEO launched a new co.Neomorph Signed New Lease - 83,000 SFTTechNatilus Raised $28M in Fresh FundingHauler raised $16MOpaque raised, CEO is in SD, team is in SFDrata Opens SF officeCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteAlliance Societal Impact - Family Office Summit March 15-16March Mingle March 25 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

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