About Connect
We help entrepreneurs build great companies
We are a San Diego community nonprofit passionate about entrepreneurs, innovation, and improving the economy.
Meet the Connect Team
Mike Krenn
CEO
Christie Marcella
COO
Taryn Goode
Head of Life Sciences
Cait Kelly
VP of Partnership
Dr Petra Stegmann
Springboard Senior Director
Regina Bernal
Strategic Inclusion Director
Gretel von Son
SBIR/STTR Director
Tre Braquet
Director of Marketing & Communications
Matt Alamo
Programs Manager
Valerie Reyes
Events & Office Manager
Sam DeLeon
Data & Impact Manager
Kylie Alonso
Programs Marketing Coordinator
Meet the Connect Board of Directors
Leaders across Southern California meet regularly to support the innovation community.
Our Story
The Next Level of Collaboration in San Diego
For more than 30 years, both Connect and San Diego Venture Group have focused on supporting and elevating entrepreneurs in the San Diego region.
In 2019 the organizations merged, combining the deep histories and wide successes of each organization to create a powerhouse of resources such as mentorship, education, and capital for innovators. Coming together as the next evolution of Connect w/ SDVG, the organization aims to be the premiere support system for innovators in the San Diego region.
Connect w/ SDVG serves entrepreneurs and startups from early stage throughout their growth journey, with a suite of curated programs and events aimed to help companies grow, gain access to capital, and scale.
Parallel Paths of Success
Connect is one of the nation’s first startup accelerators, founded in 1985 by the University of California San Diego. UCSD in partnership with the San Diego Regional EDC and private sector businesses, recognized the opportunity to establish an organization to transform San Diego’s growing research capabilities into an economic driver to increase the prosperity of the region.
San Diego Venture Group was established in 1986 with the goal of bringing together people interested in new ventures and furthering individual companies in order to support the overall innovation economy.
