Since 2015, Cool Companies have raised over $850M
(just in Series A)
Thank you to the Class of 2023 Cool Companies Sponsors
Announcing the Cool Companies of 2023!
If you’re on the hunt for the fast growing and most exciting tech and life science companies in Southern California, look no further than Connect’s Class of 2023 Cool Companies. We had quite a selection of submissions to go through this year, but with the help of our marvelous judges, we’ve picked the cream of the crop for everyone to see below.
- All
- Tech
- LifeSci
- Consumer
A28 Therapeutics
A28 Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a targeted oncolytic peptide (“TOP”) platform for the treatment of multiple cancer types. Our initial focus is on Stage IV ovarian cancer with liver metastasis and primary liver cancer, indications with significant unmet medical need, large global markets, and where we have multiple potential near-term value-creating milestones, […]
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Abterra Biosciences
Abterra Biosciences, Inc. has developed a drug discovery platform that uses machine learning to mine the immune response of real patients to identify novel therapeutic antibodies. Our platform, Alicanto, delivers antibody therapeutics that have been sourced from patients who overcame infectious diseases and cancer. We’ve commercialized two predecessor technologies, Reptor and Valens, that we offer […]
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Algenesis
Bio materials pioneer plant that makes based (sustainable) polyurethanes that are 100% biodegradable for our own products as well as for products of major brands.
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Basilard BioTech
“Basilard BioTech’s non viral gene delivery technology platform (called Celletto – for use in the Cell & Gene Therapy industry) introduces the best, most scalable way to deliver cargo for genome engineering into individual human cells, by the hundreds of millions at a time. Celletto utilizes a nanomechanical, more precise approach to cell poration wherin […]
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BioSapien
VC-backed BioSapien is an oncology focused biotech which has several assets in pipeline including a drug delivery platform and immunooncology checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
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Blossm
“In 2020, plants became the new “”pets,”” with 18 million new plant enthusiasts joining the green movement and Home Depot’s indoor garden line surging to $15.5B. While a new wave of millennial and Gen Z plant enthusiasts have shifted online, there is no platform designed to provide a holistic experience: to make it incredibly easy […]
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CARI Health
CARI Health is developing the next generation of Remote Medication Monitors that will allow clinicians to prescribe medications and receive real-time reporting on medication levels. CARI’s small, wireless sensors are worn on the patient’s skin and continuously monitor medication levels, sending alerts when necessary. With a CARI Remote Medication Monitor clinicians can provide precision care […]
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Cooler Heads
Cooler Heads has developed a cold cap, FDA approved, to help cancer patients keep their hair while undergoing chemotherapy
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Cytonus Therapeutics
Cytonus combines a proprietary ML/AI protein design engine with a first-in-class drug delivery platform called the Cargocyte. Our therapeutic approach is different by utilizing our Cargocytes to be protein factories within the site of disease.
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Designalytics
“Designalytics unlocks profitable growth for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands through more effective brand design based on historical analysis of business outcomes from previous designs, innovative consumer engagement, and AI. Brands achieving key metric thresholds average $15M in year one incremental growth. In just a few years, we have built a client base of 60 […]
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FutureProof Technologies
FutureProof is a venture-backed MGA funded by AXIS Digital Ventures and MS&AD Ventures. FutureProof’s AI-driven projections of asset-level losses from hurricane wind and flood are helping to power a new generation of insurance underwriting and pricing. FutureProof’s API delivers real-time algorithmic underwriting and pricing, providing instantly-bindable, price-differentiated quotes to wholesale brokers. FutureProof’s climate-smart insurance products […]
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Galileo Biosystems
Galileo Biosystems, Inc. is a preclinical stage company developing a portfolio of novel and mechanistically differentiated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) small molecule modulators for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
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GroundWorx
GroundWorx was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is managing vital resources is fundamentally more sustainable than one where we are not. Today, GroundWorx is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of conserving water and energy and decreasing harmful toxins released into the environment. GroundWorx® is […]
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Karios Technologies
Karios Technologies has novel, patented technology platform that we are using to address large unmet needs in the areas of surgery and drug delivery. Our first focus is on prevention of postsurgical adhesions ($10+ B US market) with initial product development in cardiac ($2B US market) and pediatrics where there is no competition. We are […]
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Luna Health
Luna was conceived to deliver the overwhelming clinical and psychosocial benefits of automated insulin delivery (AID) to the majority of people using insulin who are unwilling or unable to wear a traditional insulin pump due to the expense and/or cognitive and emotional burden associated with the currently available AID systems. Through a significantly simplified user […]
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MeCo Diagnostics
Predictive diagnostics to unlock a new therapeutic strategy for breast and prostate cancer.
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MuReva Phototherapy
MuReva Phototherapy has developed a novel device using photomodulation to treat oral mucositis, a very painful side effect of radiation therapy in cancer patients
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NeoCharge
NeoCharge is transforming home energy management by reducing costs, carbon emissions, and supporting grid reliability. Our first product, the Smart Splitter, offers a simple and affordable solution to home EV charging, eliminating the need for costly electrician fees. With NeoCharge’s intuitive software platform, energy consumption is optimized by utilizing vehicle and energy device APIs to […]
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Nutromics
Nutromics is an Australian-born diagnostics company developing a continuous diagnostic monitoring platform that is leveraged using DNA-based sensors. With a vision to create a world with zero preventable deaths, we are on a mission to revolutionize healthcare by providing clinicians with continuous, real-time diagnostic insights through our lab-on-a-patch.
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PrivacyHawk
PrivacyHawk is disrupting the $80B consumer anti-fraud industry. Backed by TCA, FFVC, Gaingels, and Duro, and based in Los Angeles, PrivacyHawk empowers everyone to take back control of their personal data. The product is the ultimate anti-fraud machine that automatically secures and protects our personal data and prevents it from falling into the hands of […]
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Qubitekk
Qubitekk, with CEO Stan Ellis, provides state-of-the-art cybersecurity protection for critical energy, 5G telecommunications, and military applications for critical infrastructure using an unbreakable physics-based solution.
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Radicle Science
Radicle Science reimagines the traditional pharmaceutical and academic research model to deliver rigorous health outcome data at a fraction of the time and cost. Our virtual, direct-to-consumer clinical trials offer the first ever path to natural product validation.
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Sensoride
Sensoride is an early stage startup based in San Diego CA, and is building high resolution radar sensors for mobility applications, including automotive, robotics and drones. The achieved image resolution is 32x superior than the traditional form of automotive radar. The technology is offered as a software-defined AI-driven solution with enhanced detection precision.
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ShipCalm
ShipCalm is an E-Commerce operations platform for digitally native brands to scale their operations digitally and physically.
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Sonocharge Energy
Technology platform for rapid rechargeable, high energy density, and long duration batteries.
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SPARE
SPARE is a software solution for cash management committed to building strong financial communities.
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Tallysight
Tallysight is a content, marketing, and analytics platform for the sports media, gaming, and betting industries. The global sports betting market is projected to reach $155B by 2024, while the eSports market is set to surpass $1.5B in revenue in the same year. Tallysight is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth by offering a one-stop-shop […]
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TheQwikFix
We turn any home inspection report into an accurate quote for repairs so the agent and their client can negotiate repair credits from a position of strength with an actual quote which can be fulfilled by our marketplace of vetted contractors.
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Unmanned Aerospace
We combine the advantage of a gyrocopter in forward flight that is in autorotation mode, therefore the rotor does not require power, only the forward thrusters require power. We have a patented mechanism that automatically changes the pitch of the rotor blades so that the aircraft can take off and land vertically, including hover, without […]
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VECKTA
Are you tired of being a passive consumer of energy from utilities and the centralized power grid? It’s time to take control of your energy future with VECKTA! Our cutting-edge integrated web platform unlocks a massive $900B/yr market, empowering business leaders to take action on their energy goals and transition to more profitable, secure, and […]
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Veritas Substrates
Veritas Substrates is an AgTech company addressing the rapidly growing, global substrate market as plants move from native soils into the multi-billion-dollar opportunity of providing reliable, productive and sustainable substrates. Having only raised a small convertible note, Veritas has already achieved over $10M in sales in 2022 (and is profitable). This is largely due to […]
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Vetmab Biosciences
Vetmab Biosciences is a veterinary biopharmaceutical company focused on developing best in class monoclonal antibody (“mAb”) therapeutics for dogs and cats. Our mission is to develop for pets the same caliber of innovative, safe and effective medicines to which we have access. We are developing a pipeline of novel mAbs across a number of high-value […]
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Visaic
Visaic is founded on the premise that sports and media mid-market needs a new SaaS solution to engage and grow audiences using data IQ and machine learning. Built by experts in the field, the solution has proven to be a great fit in a very large underserved market. Visaic created an innovative advanced solution, a […]
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VisiCELL Medical
Visicell’s VMI-Trac, “GPS for Cell Therapy”, is a non-invasive, rapid, imaging system which allows real time, quantitative tracking of cellular therapies in patients and animals using common MRI machines to understand cellular therapy biodistribution, efficacy, dose and safety. VMI-Trac allows for repeated monitoring of the cell therapies for up to several months post dosing and […]
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WeGive
WeGive enables nonprofits to 2x their donor retention (a 30% industry average) by providing a premium digital donor experience to every donor, regardless of their donation amount. With the only out-of-the-box donor portal in the industry, donors get a profile directly on the Nonprofit’s website where they can connect with what their donation is doing, […]
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Welby Health
Welby Health has developed an automated digital health platform for physicians to effectively manage patients with chronic health needs, and which is reimbursable by Medicare and other private insurers
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WowYow AI
WowYow is a computer vision AI company with technology that can analyze visual content (video, images, text, etc.) and create valuable metadata, applying this to limitless use cases.
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Yatiri Bio
Yatiri Bio integrates cutting-edge technologies in proteomics, machine learning and organoid biology to blaze a new path in therapeutic discovery and revolutionize translational medicine. Our proprietary patient dataset and corresponding clinical samples produce models that mimic complex disease biology and drug efficacy. The Yatiri Bio platform expedites drug discovery, de-risks clinical trials, and delivers novel […]
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Yolia Health
Yolia Health has created a novel mechanism combining a proprietary eye drop formulation with specialty contact lenses to address presbyopia, myopia, and potentially other acuity issues of the eye. Yolia has performed clinical studies in Mexico and is preparing to do the same in the United States. Initial results in Mexico show that the treatment […]
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Join us! It’s the 11th Annual Summer Social!
When: Tuesday, June 13th from 4pm – 7pm
Where: Leichtag Foundation, Encinitas, CA
Are you ready to revel in the innovation ecosystem of our beloved city?
Then mark your calendars for the upcoming Summer Social!
Connect is at it again, the 11th annual event is designed to bring together 500 of your innovation friends at the breathtaking Leichtag Foundation in Encinitas. With the Class of 2023 Cool Companies on showcase, you’re sure to get excited about what’s happening around town.
You work hard, and you deserve a break. So why not bring your entire office to this community-wide opportunity to celebrate, mingle, and indulge in delicious food and refreshing drinks? It’s the perfect way to recharge your batteries and kick off the second half of the year with renewed vigor.
But don’t wait too long – this event is sure to be a sell-out, and you don’t want to miss out. Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of fun and networking!
