Finishing Strong: San Diego Startup Week at UC San Diego
Day 5 of San Diego Startup Week wrapped up at UC San Diego — and it couldn’t have ended on a stronger note. The entire week has been incredible. I keep coming back to SD Startup Week and TechCon because it’s one of the rare chances to rub elbows with 90% of the movers and shakers driving tech, venture, and innovation across the region.
I spent the day catching up with my old friend Chris Thinnes, from our early days as equity analysts at NuFund Venture Group (formerly TCA). We joked about how much the UCSD campus has changed since the 2000s—especially the food scene. Let’s just say today’s options make our college-era burrito runs look pitiful.
Morning Panels: AI, IoT, and Clean Tech on the Rise
The morning kicked off with a sharp panel on AI-enabled IoT, setting the tone for a day filled with discussions around clean tech, data science, robotics, and innovation financing. It’s clear that San Diego’s startup ecosystem is maturing fast, with UCSD anchoring much of that momentum.
Financing Innovation: QSBS, SAFEs, and the Legal Frontier
One of the standout sessions was led by Brian Dirkmaat, who delivered a rousing masterclass on QSBS, SAFEs, and innovation financing.
Brian’s rethinking of the SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) framework struck a chord. His approach reframes how legal structures can balance the table between founders and investors—moving from “investor-friendly” to “innovation-friendly.”
Then came Serhat Pala, a two-time exited founder and one of the most connected figures in the local ecosystem. As a leader at NuFund Venture Group, Serhat brings both investor savvy and founder empathy to the table. His insights into what truly drives adoption (hint: relationships and credibility matter more than visibility) were eye-opening.
I asked if the QSBS clock starts ticking on preferred shares but not on pre-converted SAFEs — and it turns out, the SAFE hasn’t actually been tested on QSBS eligibility in tax court.
The Grand Finale: Andy Ballester’s GoFundMe Story
The week closed with a powerful session from Andy Ballester, co-founder of GoFundMe.
His storytelling was electric. “Innovation comes not from comparison—it comes from clarity,” he said. That line hit home. Andy’s clarity and drive have powered a platform that’s enabled over 150 million campaigns, helping billions around the world.
GoFundMe’s origin story is a reminder that some of the most transformative ideas start from a simple human need—and scale through persistence and empathy.
A Grateful Wrap-Up
Huge thanks to Startup San Diego for curating another incredible week. Between the panels, founders, investors, and new ideas, it’s clear that the city’s innovation engine is humming louder than ever.
San Diego may be known for beaches and biotech—but after this week, it’s hard not to see it as one of the next great startup capitals of the West Coast.
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