Name

Startup San Diego

Legal name

Startup San Diego

Website

https://startupsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Ecosystem Support and Community Building

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem building
• Founder community programs
• Entrepreneurship support services
• Startup networking events
• Nonprofit community organization

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship tiers (Angel $2,750, Seed $5,500, Series A $10,000, Growth $15,000, IPO $30,000) provide the primary revenue stream. Sponsors receive event passes, premium branding, sponsor tables, speaking opportunities, and presenting sponsor exclusivity.
2. Membership Dues: Individual membership at $365/year provides free tickets to Startup Week, 1st Mondays, and Last Fridays. Corporate membership at $2,750/year adds website logo recognition and newsletter placement. 108 annual members in 2025.
3. Event Ticket Sales: Some events charge nominal fees (e.g., $10 for AI Showcase, $20 for Last Fridays day passes with 50% member discount). All-access Startup Week pass valued at $229 included in membership. General public pays discounted rates for individual events.
4. Individual Donations & Grants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit reliant on individual donations (one-time or monthly), foundation grants, and government grants. Donors recognized at Champion ($1,000+), Sustainer ($500+), and Supporter ($100+) levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Startup San Diego is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as the coordinating body for the San Diego-Baja startup ecosystem. It delivers recurring flagship programs — San Diego Startup Week (annual conference), 1st Mondays (quarterly networking events), and Last Fridays Co-Working Days (monthly) — supported by an annual membership program, corporate sponsorships, mentorship (Entrepreneur in Residence), and ecosystem resources connecting founders, investors, students, and talent.

Product overview

Startup San Diego operates as a nonprofit community platform serving the San Diego startup ecosystem through a portfolio of events, programs, and digital services. The core offerings include San Diego Startup Week (annual week-long conference), 1st Mondays (quarterly networking events), and Last Fridays Co-Working Days (monthly co-working events). Supporting services include a monthly newsletter, annual membership program, blog/news platform, 1st Mondays Mini Podcast, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) mentorship program, job board, and ecosystem resource directory. The organization connects founders, investors, talent, and community members through educational, networking, and support initiatives across the San Diego-Baja region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• San Diego Startup Week: Annual premier startup conference bringing together founders, investors, mentors, executives, and talent for panels, workshops, networking, and pitch competitions.
• 1st Mondays
• Last Fridays Co-Working Days
• Startup Week X
• 1st Mondays Mini Podcast

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,000+ stakeholders served in 2025 across 22+ events
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Connect San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect San Diego is a major ecosystem organization supporting tech and life science companies in San Diego. Organizations co-promote events and collaborate on ecosystem initiatives including shared hiring resources and the San Diego: Life. Changing campaign.
• San Diego Regional EDC (Economic Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDC collaborates with Startup San Diego and Connect on the shared hiring resource page and regional ecosystem initiatives. Jointly supports the San Diego startup and business community.
• SDSU Division of Research and InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDSU's research and innovation division partners with Startup San Diego for student engagement, startup programs, and the SDSU San Diego Angel Conference. SDSU hosts Startup Week events and sponsors at Series A tier.
• UC San Diego Office of Innovation & CommercializationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCSD OIC partners on innovation programming, hosts Startup Week events, and sponsors at Series A tier. The Design and Innovation Building serves as venue for 1st Mondays events.
• UC San Diego Rady School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRady School partners on student entrepreneurship programs, hosts Startup Week events, and contributes to the ecosystem through the UCSD Institute for the Global Entrepreneur.
• UC San Diego Institute for the Global EntrepreneurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGE partners on global entrepreneurship initiatives and sponsors at Seed tier, supporting cross-border startup ecosystem development between San Diego and Tijuana.
• UC San Diego Horizon / The BasementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCSD Horizon (Founding Director Shane Moise) partners on student entrepreneurship programming. The Basement (UCSD's startup incubator) is a community partner providing startup resources.
• Point Loma Nazarene UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLNU is a university partner supporting student entrepreneurship and ecosystem engagement. Partners on Startup Week events and student programming.
• Mira Costa CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partner supporting student entrepreneurship pathways and connecting students to the broader San Diego startup ecosystem.
• CSUSM College of Business AdministrationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSUSM Innovation Hub partners on student entrepreneurship and regional startup ecosystem development. CSUSM College of Business sponsors at Seed tier.
• Data Science AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit community connecting data scientists, AI professionals, and organizations. Co-hosts the Building for Good Hackathon with Startup San Diego. Jointly advances data science and AI ecosystem in San Diego.
• Downtown WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium coworking partner hosting Last Fridays Co-Working Days at multiple San Diego locations. Provides full-day passes, wifi, coffee, snacks, and afternoon programming. Sponsor at Seed tier.
• KilncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoworking partner hosting community coworking days at Kiln Rancho Bernardo (40,000 sq ft facility). Provides curated programming, snacks, beverages, phone booths, and high-speed wifi to event attendees.
• SDSI (San Diego Sport Innovators)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports innovation industry cluster organization. Community partner connecting sports tech startups to the broader San Diego ecosystem.
• The Brink (USD Small Business Development Center)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD's small business development center providing resources to entrepreneurs. Community partner supporting startup ecosystem development.
• Launch FactorysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego startup incubator and maker space. Community partner supporting early-stage startup development and ecosystem connectivity.
• Founder Institute San DiegosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal startup accelerator with San Diego chapter. Community partner connecting accelerator alumni to the broader ecosystem.
• Founders LivesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal founders network with San Diego chapter hosting pitch competitions. Community partner supporting founder pitch development.
• Rising Tide PartnerssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes the monthly First Friday Founders Hike. Community partner creating networking opportunities for founders and investors through outdoor activities.
• REC Innovation LabsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation lab supporting student and early-stage entrepreneurship. Community partner connecting students to ecosystem resources.
• Mission EdgesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego nonprofit consulting firm supporting social enterprises. Community partner providing ecosystem resources for mission-driven founders.
• SBDC San Diego and Imperial NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall Business Development Center providing advising and resources to entrepreneurs. Community partner supporting small business and startup development.
• TIE SoCal (TiE)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) chapter serving Southern California. Global nonprofit fostering entrepreneurship. Community partner connecting founders to mentorship and investment.
• The FORGE National Security InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational security innovation hub with San Diego presence. Executive Director Rachel Costello serves as panelist and ecosystem connector. Supports defense and dual-use startup programming.
• Cooley LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop-tier law firm serving startups and venture capital. Series A sponsor hosting 1st Mondays events (December 2026 at Cooley LLP). Provides legal expertise and ecosystem support.
• EyePop.AicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth/IPO tier sponsor. Challenge sponsor at Building for Good Hackathon offering $200 prize for best use of their AI computer vision platform.
• City of CarlsbadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeries A sponsor hosting opening day of San Diego Startup Week. City economic development team actively supports regional entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem.
• Gunderson DettmercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading law firm for venture-backed companies. Seed/Angel tier sponsor providing legal expertise to the ecosystem.
• FedtechsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal technology innovation accelerator. Community partner supporting defense and dual-use startup ecosystem in San Diego.
• Northrop GrummancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defense contractor and Series A sponsor. Tony Long, Manager of Innovation, participates as panelist on defense and dual-use startup programming.
• SDx (San Diego Developers)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper community network in San Diego. Community partner supporting software developer engagement in the startup ecosystem.
• Village Up San DiegosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal startup community organization focused on underserved founders. Community partner providing ecosystem support and community building.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• gener8tor: Nonprofit-affiliated accelerator running regional startup programs and founder community events across multiple US metros. Comparable hub-style community programming and corporate-sponsor-driven model.
• Startup Grind: Global nonprofit community for entrepreneurs hosting local events, conferences, and content programs in 600+ cities. Directly comparable to Startup San Diego's community-led event model serving founders with recurring programming and sponsorships.
• Astia: Global 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting women and diverse entrepreneurs through community, capital, and mentorship programs. Mission-aligned peer focused on building inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems, similar to Startup San Diego's equity-centered framing.
• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed startup training program with local chapters helping founders build companies through structured curricula and mentor networks. Comparable to Startup San Diego's entrepreneur education and community-programming mission.
• Village Capital: 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs through peer-supported programs and venture funds. Aligns closely with Startup San Diego's stated mission to grow an equitable and collaborative startup ecosystem.
• 1 Million Cups: Kauffman Foundation's community-driven program where entrepreneurs present their startups over coffee at recurring local meetups nationwide. Closely parallels Startup San Diego's recurring monthly/quarterly founder community events and sponsorship-funded model.
• SCORE: 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by the SBA providing free mentorship, workshops, and resources to entrepreneurs and small businesses nationwide. Directly comparable as a federally-supported nonprofit serving founders through volunteer mentorships and educational programming.
• TiE (The IndUS Entrepreneurs): Global nonprofit entrepreneur network with 60+ local chapters offering mentorship, networking, education, and capital connections. Mission-aligned peer to Startup San Diego's effort to connect founders with mentors, investors, and ecosystem resources.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs through equity-free programs, mentorship, and corporate partnerships. A direct peer in nonprofit ecosystem-building for founders, although structured around cohort programs rather than open community events.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Large global accelerator and investment business with associated community programs (Techstars Startup Weekend, etc.). Acts as a broader incumbent in the startup ecosystem-building space relative to Startup San Diego's regional nonprofit positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/startupsandiego
• Facebookfacebook.com/startupsd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startup-san-diego
• Instagraminstagram.com/startupsandiego

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup San Diego