MetroConnect
Return to World Trade Center San Diego
MetroConnect equips growing San Diego companies with resources to increase international sales.
A program of EDC’s international affiliate, World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), and Export SBDC:
MetroConnect is generously underwritten by:
GO GLOBAL WITH METROCONNECT
For seven cohorts running, WTCSD’s MetroConnect accelerator has equipped sets of 15 San Diego companies with the resources and partners to increase international sales. For specialized assistance, the MetroConnect VIII companies will be placed into one of three specialized tracks reflecting San Diego’s economic strengths—technology, life sciences, and consumer goods.
Does my company qualify?
MetroConnect companies must:
- Be headquartered in San Diego
- Have been in business for at least 1 year
- Be export-ready (you are already exporting goods or services, or are looking to pursue international sales as a near-term priority)
What do participating companies receive?
- $5,000 export grant and chance to win $25,000 Grand Prize
- STEP grant expert advising—additional $5,000-$10,000 opportunity
- SystranPRO machine translation software subscription—$500 value
- Mentorship and advising from experts and leaders at multinational corporations
- 7 executive workshops: Market entry, export finance, global marketing, international trade shows, and more (plus two specialized sessions per industry track)
- 1-year San Diego Regional EDC membership—$5,000 value
- Complimentary consulting and support from vetted service providers and experts
Special thanks to our MetroConnect sponsors
THE RESULTS
Since 2015, MetroConnect companies have generated:
66%
average export growth
45%
average revenue growth
552
total new intl. contracts
Read more:
- Solecta leveraged MetroConnect, EDC programs to strengthen talent pipeline, expand internationally
- WTCSD, EDC supported Nano PharmaSolutions in securing $17K in grants, FTE, and global connectivity
- Access Trax turned $10K into Canada, Australia export growth with MetroConnect
- White Labs reduced Australian customs holds by 84% with MetroConnect
- Blue Sky Network turned $5K grant into 36% export increase
- EDDY Pump turned $10K grant into $5 million in exports
- Dr. Bronner’s leveraged MetroConnect to generate $1.8M in purchase value
APPLY BY AUGUST 1, 2025
With high-impact monthly engagements, WTCSD’s MetroConnect export accelerator is designed to deliver meaningful results. Running from August 2025 through December 2026, the program requires just 3 to 5 hours per month—an investment of time that pays off in valuable resources, expert guidance, an expanded network, and new global opportunities.
MEET THE COMPANIES
Since 2015, MetroConnect has assisted 110 companies in turning $1 million in export grants into $106 million in new international sales, 552 new international contracts, and 28 new offices around the world. Meet our cohorts, past and present:
Aquacycl
Aquacycl’s unique, modular biological wastewater treatment is changing the way the world manages high-strength wastewater by eliminating sludge and recovering energy as direct electricity with low or net-zero energy requirements.
Epitope Diagnostics
Epitope Diagnostics develops and manufactures assays for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, infectious, and autoimmune diseases, as well as tumors/cancers and calcium/bone metabolism.
Fieldsheer Technologies
Fieldsheer has redefined what clothing can do, offering next-generation heated clothing for everyday use in the most challenging conditions.
GALT Aerospace
GALT Aerospace is a non-traditional, service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that delivers premier command, control, and communications (C3) solutions in support of the DoD.
Harland Brewing Company
Brewing IPAs, lagers, and more, Harland Brewing Company was created in the image of its owners and by people who inspire others to live their lives doing what they love.
Health Innovation Products
Health Innovation Products manufactures its CopperFoot Mat™ using EPA-registered CuVerro Shield™ Antibacterial Copper, which kills 99.9 percent of bacteria continuously without losing its effectiveness over time.
Lotus Sustainables
Lotus Sustainables creates turnkey reusable bag programs with high-quality, reusable solutions to enhance everyday experiences and protect the planet we love—showing that life without plastic can actually be easier.
Promo Drone
By pushing the boundaries of innovation with drones and LED displays, Promo Drone creates mesmerizing visuals with its aerial drone rapid response messaging solution.
Selk’bag
Selk’bag is a wearable sleeping bag designed to encourage adventure by creating freedom of movement, in total warmth and comfort, no matter the conditions.
Sunday Golf
Inspired by the casual golfer, Sunday Golf creates golf bags and gear designed fore the weekend.
Surf Loch
Surf Loch is a wave technology pioneer that replicates authentic ocean surfing waves within controllable man-made environments to share the pure enjoyment of surfing with anyone, any time, anywhere.
VECKTA
VECKTA’s on-site energy platform is purpose-built to be the most trusted and independent partner for commercial and industrial businesses seeking to lower energy costs, improve reliability, and reduce carbon emissions with confidence.
VeV Scientific
VeV Scientific is a contract manufacturing organization for pharmaceutical products, manufacturing a variety of products with dedication, quality, and compliance.
Visaic
Visaic is a market-proven SaaS solution applying machine learning and data IQ on its content platform for organizations looking to directly engage, grow, and monetize their audiences.
Wearable Sensing
Wearable Sensing’s patented active dry electrode technology is designed to provide high signal integrity and wireless mobility for artifact-free physiological monitoring in non-intrusive wearable form factors.
Access Trax
Access Trax is a woman-owned social impact business on a mission to make the outdoors accessible for all, empowering people of all physical abilities to easily access outdoor terrain with its ADA compliant portable access mats.
Benchmark Labs
Benchmark Labs is a Techstars-backed agricultural and IoT technology company that uses IoT sensors to assist farmers implement more sustainable practices and help them save natural resources by using in-situ environmental forecasts.
Critter Technology
Critter Technology specializes in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of specialized coatings including AntCant®, an easy to apply coating that produces a surface that ants and other insects cannot adhere to.
GigaIO
Based in Carlsbad, GigaIO democratizes Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing architectures by delivering the elasticity of the cloud at a fraction of the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
Golden Coast Mead
As the first meadery in Southern California, Golden Coast Mead’s endeavor leads the reawakening of Fermented Honey Libations to bring you Joy and Sunshine in a bottle.
iAssay
iAssay® has developed a Point-of-Care Test (POCT) diagnostics solution for testing patients wherever they are, consolidating FDA cleared point of care cartridges and Health IT Clouds onto one handheld platform.
Nano PharmaSolutions
Nano PharmaSolutions, Inc.’s NanoTransformer™ technology turns insoluble drug molecules to nanoparticles so they can get into our body better.
Novo Brazil Brewing Company
Founded by the Carneiro family in 2014, Novo Brazil Brewing Company is an international, award-winning brewery based in Chula Vista and guided by its Brazilian soul.
Primo Energy
Primo Energy was founded in 2013 to design and build hybrid distributed energy platforms using wind, solar, and battery storage.
Real Dog Box
Real Dog Box complements any diet and budget and teaches dog owners how to incorporate fresh food into everyday life, making and delivering monthly boxes of fresh treats and chews to prevent food-related illnesses.
Shop My Porch
Shop My Porch is a social shopping platform – including a mobile app, website, and a series of social media groups – that matches home-based artisans with people looking for home crafted goods on a hyperlocal basis.
Solecta Membranes
As manufacturers deal with variable raw material quality, rising costs for energy, and increased quality standards for their finished products, Solecta helps improve their separations processes through unique and innovative membrane solutions.
Sparsha Pharma
Sparsha Pharma’s mission is to develop clinically effective, innovative, and affordable transdermal therapeutic products to improve the quality of life of patients.
The Good Face
The Good Face helps you discover safe products that fit your skin’s unique needs and make you look and feel your best.
TRABUS Technologies
From the development of a spectrally-efficient peer-to-peer (SEPP) technology that could revolutionize the wireless industry to engineering support to armed services, TRABUS solves real-world problems through technical innovation.
Amavara
Amavara has created the world’s best transparent mineral sunscreen using its proprietary EarthWell® Zinc technology with naturally sourced Non-Nano Zinc Oxide as the only active ingredient, providing Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection and 80 minutes Water and Sweat Resistance.
Blue Sky Network
Blue Sky Network is a pioneer in the development of satellite tracking and two-way voice and data communications for commercial, government, and privately held fleets working in remote areas around the world.
Dynam.AI
Dynam.AI provides businesses across the globe with AI solutions built to up-level any organization in any industry. Dynam.AI’s suite of artificial intelligence solutions, including advanced deep learning and computer vision algorithms and models, are custom-tailored to each client’s needs.
Forward Slope
Forward Slope, Inc. (FSI) is an SBA-Certified Small Business that provides technology solutions and professional services to both government and enterprise clients.
LunaPBC
LunaPBC empowers individuals to directly and privately share health data for medical and quality of life discovery. The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission qualified LunaPBC as the first company to recognize data as currency to purchase shares of ownership in the organization.
Mayan Robotics
Mayan Robotics LLC is an American company specializing in the design and manufacture of essential electronic systems for unmanned vehicles, drones, and UAVs.
Modern Times Drinks
MODERN TIMES IS…an intrepid cadre of brewers, coffee roasters, and culinary wizards that began as a 30bbl production brewery and tasting room in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego in 2013.
MRIaudio
MRIaudio provides MRI patient headphones to hospitals and imaging centers around the world, and has sold more than 2300 MRIaudio systems to help millions of patients endure their MRI scans each year.
Omni2Max Inc.
Omni2Max Inc. is a professional technical service firm, headquartered in San Diego, California, dedicated to providing superior leadership, service and expertise for a wide range of technical solutions.
Semantic AI
Leveraging emerging technologies in AI/ML with facial/voice/character recognition, translation, transcription, & sentiment analysis, Semantic AI delivers enterprise intelligence platform solutions in both the commercial and federal space, from Counter-Terrorism to Supply Chain Risk Management, either on-premises or in the cloud
SIDUS Solutions
Specializing in environmental cameras, robotic-positioning, and lighting systems, SIDUS services and manufactures complete, integrated security and surveillance solutions for any marine, defense and subsea application.
TradeSun
Since its inception in the Navy, technologies such as text analytics, entity extraction, AI and NLP have been added, culminating in the incorporation of TradeSun as an intelligent, cloud-based trade finance platform that empowers banks to accelerate transaction approval.
Trex Enterprises
Trex Enterprises specializes in adaptive optics, millimeter-wave imaging, RF communications, sensor development, engineering, active and passive imaging, radar systems and novel telescope architectures for the defense and aerospace industry.
Uprise Energy
The Uprise Energy Mobile Power Station is a 10kW wind turbine that fits in a 20’ shipping container, and sets up in one hour to produce clean, affordable electricity.
White Labs
White Labs makes fresh, liquid yeast more accessible to the brewing, winemaking, distilling, cider making, kombucha and fermentation industries, as well as providing various fermentation products, services, analysis and education to professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Aira
Aira is a service that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to connect blind and visually impaired people to highly trained, remotely-located agents.
Allett
Allett creates amazing patented slim wallets, proudly made in San Diego since 1995.
Artic Zero
As the pioneer of “better-for-you” frozen desserts, Arctic Zero thoughtfully crafts the best tasting and cleanest ingredient light ice cream and non-dairy frozen desserts on the market.
AtYourGate
AtYourGate is an industry leader in mobile e-commerce and in-airport gate delivery services for needed food/beverage/retail items by travelers, flight crews, and airport employees.
Bitchin’ Sauce
Bitchin’ Sauce – The Almond Dip!
Cloudbeds
Cloudbeds is a property management suite that simplifies the world of OTAs, payments, reservations for the travel and hotel industry.
Conectric
Conectric Networks is a wireless sensor networking and energy application solution to automate and control the build environment
Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s, producer of organic and fair trade personal care and food products distributed worldwide, is a family business committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world.
Eddy Pump Corporation
Eddy Pump is an engineering and manufacturing company producing state-of-the-art material handling equipment for a multitude of industries including military, oil, mining, energy, and many others all over the world.
Epitope Diagnostics
Epitope Diagnostics, Inc. (EDI) strives to provide the highest quality products and services to the healthcare community. The fundamental objectives of EDI is to assist not only in detection but also prevention of diseases.
Hookit
Hookit expands sponsorship value thru data insight.
IPS Group
IPS Group is a design, engineering, and manufacturing company focused on low-power wireless telecommunications, payment processing systems, intelligent data management technologies, providing Smarter Parking for Smart Communities™ through its innovative and Fully-Integrated Parking Management Suite.
KULR Technology Group
KULR Technology Group uses a proprietary carbon fiber technology co-developed with NASA to solve heat management and battery safety challenges for a variety of markets including aerospace, electric vehicles, camera displays, robotics, power storage, and consumer electronics.
LRAD Corporation
LRAD Corporation’s long range acoustic hailing devices, mass notification, and innovative Genasys distributed messaging systems allow users to clearly communicate warnings and instructions, resolve uncertain situations, and enhance safety in a variety of applications including defense, law enforcement, and more.
MRP Training Solutions
As a force multiplier, MRP Training Solutions, a service disabled veteran-owned small business based in San Diego, provides technical, operational, administrative, and logistics training and mission support to military personnel located at worldwide locations.
PKL Services, Inc.
PKL Services, Inc. is a global provider of skilled personnel, delivering the most up to date aerospace maintenance, training, and logistics services.
Quality Controlled Manufacturing
A precision machining company, QCMI provide customers with components that have complex shapes, contours, exacting tolerance, and stringent quality requirements.
Raveon Technologies
Raveon designs and manufactures certified long-range wireless products for data communications, GPS tracking, and security.
Scientist.com
Scientist.com is the world’s leading marketplace for outsourced scientific sourcing.
Telaeris, Inc.
Telaeris, Inc. is a San Diego-based engineering firm focused on developing RFID solutions for safety and security. Its custom designed handheld badge readers enable mobile ID validation, visitor management, biometric identification, and personnel rostering.
Coronado Brewing Co.
Coronado Brewing Co. is a local craft brewery that specializes in abundantly hoppy West Coast-style ales.
CP Global Manufacturing
CP Global Manufacturing is a world leader in manufacturing and installing recycling equipment.
CureMatch
CureMatch has developed a proprietary software platform aimed at guiding oncologists in selecting the most advanced personalized cancer therapies for patients.
Del Mar Oceanographic
Del Mar Oceanographic produces the Wirewalker, a vertically-profiling instrument platform for oceanographic research and monitoring.
Dermala
Dermala is developing novel skincare products for acne, eczema and aging skin based on the latest advances in human microbiome research.
Envision Solar International
Envision Solar International, Inc. provides customers with advanced renewably energized electric vehicle (EV) charging, media and branding, and energy security systems.
FoxFury
FoxFury makes innovative, portable, go-anywhere, LED lights for firefighting, police, military, industrial safety, hazardous area, filming and photography.
Guru
Local tech startup Guru creates digital experiences for museums, aquariums, and zoos using audio, video, virtual reality, and more.
Julian Hard Cider
Julian Hard Cider is a local, veteran-owned business that produces 100 percent fresh-pressed, all-natural hard cider.
Optimized Fuel Technologies
Optimized Fuel Technologies develops and manufactures a patented, ionized air technology designed to improve energy efficiency and regulate emissions during the combustion process.
Performa Learning
Performa Learning provides the world’s only personalized, skills-based business English learning system.
Planck Aerosystems
Planck Aerosystems develops and employs technology that enables small drones to operate from moving vessels of any size, without the need for a dedicated pilot or extensive installed hardware.
Tioga Research
Tioga Research is a contract research organization that supports the research and early development of skin-applied products, including topical and transdermal drugs and prestige cosmetic products.
Tunnel Vision
Using virtual reality technology, Tunnel Vision supplies hardware, software, and content to wind tunnels to recreate the skydiving environment of jumping out of an airplane with breathtaking views.
Urban Translations
Urban Translations builds a translation software that enables guests to order menu items and amenities, in any language, with the touch of a finger on tablets and smartphones.
Aurora Spine
Aurora Spine is a publicly traded medical device company specializing in minimally-invasive, regenerative surgical technologies. Through the development of innovative, customized implants, Aurora hopes to become the leader in advanced spinal technologies.
AVACEN Medical
AVACEN Medical is the creator of the AVACEN 100. The AVACEN 100, the world’s first noninvasive, over the counter medical device allowing consumers and patients to increase whole-body circulation from a single convenient treatment location.
Calbiotech
Calbiotech is a world leader in immunoassay development and manufacturing. With over 30 years of experience, the team conducts business with major reference labs, pharmaceutical companies, universities and research centers around the globe.
Deering Banjo Company
Deering Banjo Company is a family-run business and the world’s largest manufacturer of artisan banjos. Started in 1975 by Greg and Janet Deering, the company is well known for its expertly crafted GoodTime™ product line.
ElliptiGO
In 2010, ElliptiGO introduced the world’s first elliptical bicycle to minimize the risks associated with running. Since then, ElliptiGO has become the leader in high-performance elliptical bicycles for professional athletes, NCAA teams and recreational runners alike.
GroundMetrics Inc.
GroundMetrics Inc. is a world leader in electromagnetic sensing, providing oil and gas operators with an unprecedented look at the subsurface.
Hyperikon
Hyperikon sells energy-efficient home improvement solutions, such as LED lighting, in the e-commerce space.
INOVA Drone
INOVA Drone develops professional grade, small unmanned aerial system solutions for mission critical applications, with an emphasis on public safety, defense and critical infrastructure inspection.
MANTA Instruments
MANTA helps its customers develop the best nano-enabled products faster and more profitably, by providing state-of-the-art scientific instruments characterization. Acquired by Horiba Instruments in 2019.
Ocean Aero
Ocean Aero is the creator of the “Submaran,” an unmanned surface/sub-surface hybrid vessel that hosts an array of ocean observational and data recording sensors.
Ocean Reef
Ocean Reef invents, designs and produces equipment for diving.
Rough Draft Brewing Company
Rough Draft Brewing Company is a family-owned microbrewery devoted to creating high quality craft beers that are well balanced and approachable.
Solatube Worldwide Sales
Solatube Worldwide Sales distributes Solatube tubular daylighting devices, high-performance, green building components that bring daylight into interior spaces.
VaultRMS
VaultRMS is the creator of Vault Exposure Tracker, a software platform focused on firefighter exposure data, while building up a data set that will contribute to the advancement of relevant cancer research.
Whova
Whova offers an all-in-one event management solutions for event organizers.
AirStrip
AirStrip produces Sense4Baby, a wireless heart rate monitor system for babies and their mothers. The platform was featured in the Apple Watch product launch and enables doctors to remotely monitor patients.
Applied Membranes
Applied Membranes is a manufacturer and distributor of water filtration systems and components that revolve around reverse osmosis technology.
Aventyn
Aventyn is a digital health company specializing in cloud connected clinical information. Its technology provides solutions through medical imaging, analytics and genome reporting for health providers and the pharmaceutical industry.
Bounce Composites
Bounce Composites creates high-quality and durable composite goods for the automotive, wind energy, aerospace and sporting goods industries. Its signature Stand Up paddleboards (Bounce SUP) allow for serious performance and usage while maintaining minimal environmental footprint.
Cypher Genomics
Cypher Genomics works to provide automated genome interpretation at scale for clinical labs, pharmaceutical companies and population genomics efforts. Acquired by Human Longevity in November 2015.
EdgeWave
EdgeWave provides internet security, email security, next generation firewall and network solutions to more than 6,000 companies worldwide. Acquired by GoSecure in 2019.
Entra Health
Entra Health offers an FDA Class II software platform, serving as a one-stop shop for remote patient monitoring, telemedicine and mobile health devices. Acquired by CRF Health in July 2016.
IriSys
IriSys is a service provider for biotech and pharmaceutical companies wishing to develop products that meet US regulatory requirements. Acquired by Societal CDMO in 2021.
Portfolium
Portfolium’s platform bridges the workforce skills gap by empowering and connecting students with potential job opportunities. Acquired by Instructure in 2019.
ROBO 3D
ROBO 3D began with the vision of creating a more affordable 3D printer, offering printer bundles, a specialized drone kit, and a slew of custom filaments.
Total Communicator Solutions
Total Communicator Solutions develops fully integrated mobile marketing communication platforms. Its signature product, SparkCompass, utilizes state-of-the-art beacon technology, enabling the delivery of customized and relevant data for real-time consumer engagement.
Verve Mobile
Verve Mobile provides a dynamic location-based mobile marketing platform to help advertisers connect with consumers on their devices in real-time.
Visiontree
Visiontree, an industry leading, data-first ePRO platform, maximizes patient compliant workflows and data collection with its suite of solutions.
Volo
Volo, formerly VAVi Sport & Social, is one of the premier sport league and social event organizers in the nation.
Wearable Sensing
Wearable Sensing is creating wearable, wireless and dry sensor EEG brain activity monitoring systems to enable research grade EEG recording in real-world environments.
Want to learn more about MetroConnect?
Whether you’d like to grow your company’s international sales via the program or want to build your brand by sponsoring MetroConnect, we’re excited to connect. Get in touch to learn how to get involved.
Emily Irion
Sr. Manager, World Trade Center San Diego
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