San Diego Tech and Startup Resources

Local chapter of a global hands-on AI builder network. Sessions run on live demos of working systems and code rather than sales presentations.

Monthly meetup with deep-dive technical talks on AI, GenAI, LLMs, and agents, plus code labs and workshops. One of the largest AI developer communities in the region.

Paper reviews, book clubs, and technical discussion for people working in machine learning.

Member-based trade organization positioning the region as a leader in the cleantech economy and smart cities movement.

Nonprofit supporting high-growth life science and biotech companies through programs, investor connections, and networking.

E-waste recycling with drop-off locations across the county and documentation to keep companies compliant with disposal rules.

San Diego's anchor cybersecurity nonprofit, mobilizing business, academia, and government to grow the regional cyber economy. Members include Qualcomm, NAVWAR, SDG&E, Scripps Health, and the FBI.

City of San Diego program providing cyber resources, threat information sharing, and a directory of regional cybersecurity organizations.

National nonprofit supporting the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity. A CCOE partner organization.

DoD organization that accelerates adoption of commercial technology for national security and gives non-traditional companies a path into defense contracting.

Navy innovation network running the Crucible accelerator and connecting dual-use startups to Navy problem owners.

San Diego chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association, connecting defense industry, government, and military stakeholders.

UC San Diego initiative launched in January 2026 under the Office of Innovation and Commercialization, aligning defense priorities with researchers and startups through research-to-operator pathways and workforce development.

Supports and grows LGBTQA+ owned businesses throughout San Diego County.

24-hour event where student programmers, artists, and musicians team up to build apps and games.

Apprenticeship-model program training and placing mission-driven tech talent. Formerly San Diego Code School.

Point Loma Nazarene University's business school.

Training and organizational development for public agencies, including law enforcement, local government, and public safety dispatch.

Network of charter schools serving K-12 students across several San Diego campuses, plus a graduate school of education and teacher credentialing program.

University of San Diego's business school, focused on values-based education and socially responsible leadership.

San Diego coding bootcamp with instructor-led training and an internship component.

UC San Diego's business school, with entrepreneurship centers and programs feeding the local startup ecosystem.

Free noncredit adult education and career training across seven campuses, part of the San Diego Community College District.

Nonprofit school teaching Java and programming to students in 5th-12th grade through year-round after-school and weekend classes.

Real-world entrepreneurship education for teens, including bootcamps, coaching, and teen-only programs.

Global hackathon organizer running events and programs that bring together developers, founders, and corporate partners.

General-purpose platform for finding local groups and events, and where most San Diego tech groups still list their meetings.

Annual multi-day conference and community event for the San Diego startup ecosystem.

Directory of 160+ San Diego user groups, meetups, and special interest groups across software, AI, cybersecurity, startups, design, and hardware.

Connect's flagship accelerator program, giving science and technology founders structured mentorship and investor readiness support.

Seed-stage venture fund investing in Southern California companies, frequently alongside local angel groups.

Community-driven startup fund and syndicate of roughly 120 angels, founded by Al Bsharah and Neal Bloom, investing in San Diego and beyond.

Global angel investor network with a Southern California chapter; members typically write larger checks and expect more traction than seed-stage groups.

Pitch competition run by NuFund that coaches founders on their presentation and puts them in front of a public audience of investors.

San Diego's largest angel investor group, with 80+ members investing in early-stage tech and life science companies. Formerly Tech Coast Angels - San Diego.

Eight-month program at USD's Knauss School of Business that activates new accredited angel investors and invests a pooled fund in early-stage companies. Run alongside the Brink SBDC.

Federal non-dilutive grant programs for small businesses doing R&D. UCSD's Office of Innovation and Commercialization and the Brink SBDC co-run local SBIR advising sessions.

Multi-chapter Southern California angel network, one of the largest angel groups in the country.

Shared wet-lab and office space for early-stage life science companies in Sorrento Mesa.

Nonprofit technology incubator providing free office space, structured programs, and hands-on mentorship to emerging Southern California startups.

Pre-seed startup accelerator running a structured, part-time program where founders build their company alongside experienced CEO mentors.

Business accelerator for women founders, with launch and scale intensives, strategy sessions, and pitch events.

Johnson & Johnson's no-strings life science incubator, offering wet lab and office space plus mentorship and access to J&J's global network.

SDSU center serving students, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through entrepreneurship curriculum, workshops, internships, and events.

Rady School accelerator track (formerly mystartupXX) supporting underrepresented founders with mentorship, education, and funding.

Entrepreneur community and acceleration program built around innovation, collaboration, and peer support.

UC San Diego's campus-wide innovation and entrepreneurship hub, with open-access programs for alumni, postdocs, faculty, staff, and community members.

Part of the San Diego & Imperial SBDC network at USD, providing no-cost advising and programs to small businesses and startups.

SDSU's startup incubator helping students, faculty, and staff take an early-stage idea to launch.

Digital fabrication lab in Vista where members of all ages and skill levels get access to tools, equipment, and workspace.

Weekly business news covering San Diego County companies, industries, and executives, with annual lists and awards.

News and information on Southern California technology companies, including interviews and a regional company database.

Technology news, product research, and buying guides. Formerly Tech Cocktail.

Locally curated email digest of startup events and content, with a San Diego edition.

Independently organized TED event bringing together local innovators, creatives, and researchers.

Business section of San Diego's largest and oldest daily newspaper.

Independent online news site covering San Diego County, with a dedicated science and technology section.

Nonprofit investigative newsroom founded in 2005, covering local government, policy, and civic issues.

Peer communities and coaching for Chief Technology Officers, founded in San Diego and now running in cities across the US.

Venture group built specifically for female founders, with a proprietary framework for supporting women entrepreneurs.

National association promoting excellence in medical communication with educational resources for medical writers.

Professional association for supply chain and operations management, offering research, education, and certification programs.

Life science trade association working on public policy, capital access, workforce development, and group purchasing for its member companies.

San Diego's original innovation nonprofit, connecting founders with capital, mentorship, and education. Absorbed San Diego Venture Group in 2019.

San Diego chapter of EO, a global peer-to-peer network of business owners across 188 chapters and 58 countries.

Platform connecting founders with cofounders, startup events, and community resources.

Local ISACA chapter providing continuing education in IS audit, governance, risk management, privacy, and security.

Community development nonprofit in Southeastern San Diego focused on resident-led neighborhood investment and economic opportunity.

Community action agency running economic development, education, and self-sufficiency programs for families across the county.

Nonprofit promoting film and video as tools for community expression and supporting the professional development of media artists.

Provides nonprofits and social enterprises with HR, accounting, fiscal sponsorship, and executive search support.

Education and networking programs building a community across business leaders, technologists, entrepreneurs, capital, and service providers.

San Diego nonprofit offering free legal assistance to online creators on copyright, publishing, and internet law.

Project Management Institute chapter chartered in 1986, supporting credentials, education, and training for project professionals.

Center for International Trade Development, with free self-paced online training on export readiness, market research, and trade documentation.

501(c)(3) run by local entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs in life sciences, biotech, pharma, medical devices, tech, and alternative energy.

Technology nonprofit bridging the digital divide with low-cost refurbished computers, device repair, digital literacy training, and free e-waste recycling.

Meetups and workshops for local marketers, with free and low-cost education on inbound and content marketing.

Local chapter of the Information Systems Security Association, offering educational forums and peer networking for information security professionals.

Regional economic development corporation with research and programs covering the innovation, defense, and military economy.

Sports and active lifestyle industry accelerator and network, spun out of Connect. Its accelerator now runs as the Walton Innovation Lab.

Community movement working to change the perception of the San Diego tech ecosystem by connecting businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Group working at the intersection of private industry, public organizations, academia, and the City of San Diego on urban technology challenges.

Volunteer network offering free mentoring and small business advice across San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Nonprofit supporting people building startups in San Diego and representing the interests of local entrepreneurs.

Unifying voice for the region's technology community, supporting members across cybersecurity, data, robotics, SaaS, biotech, IoT, defense, and telecom.

Low-cost coworking and support tailored to UC San Diego-connected startups.

Nexus between UCSD's emerging startups and the wider regional innovation community, run by the Office of Innovation and Commercialization.

UCSD's tech transfer and commercialization arm, with a searchable directory of campus innovation programs and NSF I-Corps training for research teams.

Supports individuals and organizations running programs that positively impact veterans and their families.

County-wide convener of more than 150 member organizations serving veterans and their families, organized around a collective impact model.

SBA-funded program offering business training, counseling, mentoring, and referrals for veterans starting or running a small business.

Nonprofit professional engineering education organization bridging government, the uniformed services, and private industry.

Supports women scientists across the county, including a scholarship program and science fair awards.

San Diego-founded advocacy organization advancing women in STEM through leadership development, mentoring, events, and its scholarship foundation.

Free one-day programming workshops where women build their first website with Django.

San Diego chapter of a national networking organization for women entrepreneurs.

Affordable, judgment-free web and software development classes for women.

San Diego chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, sharing resources and advocating on economic and public policy.

Training, mentoring, business development, and financing support for women entrepreneurs across San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Local SWE section supporting women in engineering through professional development, outreach, and community service.

Connects women founders and investors with community, courses, advisory services, and access to capital events. Formerly Stella Labs.

Local WITI network giving women a forum to connect, share resources, and find opportunities in the technology industry.

Informal group of professional women who meet regularly to connect and socialize.

Student-run 501(c)(3) offering monthly STEM events and workshops - Python, robotics, probability - for girls in grades 3-8.

Programs and experiences that equip girls to overcome barriers and grow up strong, smart, and bold.

National nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology through clubs and programs for girls.