THE EDC Support network
When you work with EDC, your company gets access to more than just a consultant. While much of our company work starts with a simple meeting or introductions, it evolves into a long-term partnership. Many companies go on to participate in programs such as MetroConnect, Advancing San Diego, SD: Life. Changing., and Inclusive Growth, and work with us to find strategic partnerships, tax credits, and join us on trade missions.
This is Planck Aerosystems’ story.
How We Help
Marketing/Visibility
EDC, regional partners cut ribbon on new Samsung Semiconductor sales office
Samsung Semiconductor leveraged EDC for support and participation in its March 2024 sales office ribbon cutting.
Strategic Partnerships
EDC and Cascade Energy partner to help local businesses decarbonize, reduce utility costs
In partnering with EDC, Cascade Energy has been able to access a wider swath of regional companies and increase participation numbers for its Strategic Energy Management program.
Strategic Partnerships
Inbound Investment Support
Intelligence/Research
TNO establishes first North American office in San Diego a year after Trade Mission
To drive inclusive economic growth, EDC, TNO, and SANDAG formalized a collaborative effort to develop the San Diego Digital Twin proof-of-concept.
Intelligence/Research
County of San Diego expands supplier base, contracts more local and small businesses
EDC worked with the County’s purchasing and contracting department to help identify an expanded supplier base for its most sought after goods and services.
Strategic Partnerships
UC San Diego Extended Studies and ITJ partner following WTCSD program
By way of EDC, UC San Diego Extended Studies partnered with ITJ to augment and incentivize professional development pathways for binational tech talent.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Strategic Partnerships
Talent Pipeline Development
Marketing/Visibility
American Lithium Energy secures $13.2 million in grant from CA Energy Commission
ALE needed to grow quickly to meet the sharp increase in demand for its batteries during the pandemic. Learn about ALE's increasing role in our regional economy and how EDC helped get it connected.
Talent Pipeline Development
EVT leverages Advancing San Diego to hire intern, expands its learning platform
As the competition for talent grows more fierce, EVT struggled to develop its software engineering talent pipeline. Here's how EDC helped.
Export/Logistics Consulting
Economic Incentive Consulting
Eight San Diego companies win $35K in grants via Export SBDC
Export SBDC at WTCSD helped eight San Diego small businesses apply for and secure $35K in grant funding for export activities.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Export/Logistics Consulting
Access Trax turns $10K into Canada, Australia export growth with MetroConnect
WTCSD helped Access Trax, an accessibility product innovator, access funding, translate documents, and build Canada and Australia connections.
Regulatory/Permitting Support
Economic Incentive Consulting
Marketing/Visibility
Element Biosciences expands with EDC permitting, tax credit, branding support
A high-growth biotech startup in San Diego, Element Biosciences needed assistance with permitting, economic incentives, and employer branding. Here's how EDC helped.
Talent Pipeline Development
Rady Children’s Hospital hires six FTEs following Advancing San Diego internship
San Diego’s healthcare providers face numerous challenges in attracting and retaining top talent. Here's how Advancing San Diego helped Rady Children's Hospital secure interns and permanent hires from top, local education programs.
Regulatory/Permitting Support
Strategic Partnerships
Marketing/Visibility
Red Door Interactive opens Sherman Heights HQ with permitting, promotional support
When Red Door Interactive, a San Diego-based marketing agency, was looking to expand, EDC helped it secure a new space in a growing community.
Intelligence/Research
Marketing/Visibility
EDC newsletter connects local business to $20K in funding
Like many during the pandemic, Organized Change Consultancy faced difficulties in pivoting to provide remote services and reach clients virtually, affecting both its revenue and operations. Here's how EDC helped.
Talent Pipeline Development
Marketing/Visibility
Left Coast Engineering leverages Advancing San Diego to hire intern, strengthen talent pipeline
As the competition for talent grows more fierce, Left Coast Engineering struggled to develop its engineering talent pipeline. Here's how EDC helped.
Export/Logistics Consulting
Marketing/Visibility
SIDUS Solutions strengthens brand in Europe, Asia with MetroConnect
SIDUS was having trouble connecting with its international customers as a result of the COVID crisis. Here's how MetroConnect empowered them to strengthen their global connections.
Export/Logistics Consulting
Marketing/Visibility
White Labs reduces Australian customs holds by 84% with MetroConnect
White Labs, a producer of environmentally friendly yeast and fermentation products for brewers, encountered a number of challenges with worldwide distribution, including lengthy customs and logistics holds in critical markets. Here's how they overcame these obstacles with the help of MetroConnect.
Export/Logistics Consulting
Marketing/Visibility
Blue Sky Network turns $5K grant into 36% export increase
Blue Sky Network was experiencing supply chain issues and a drop in revenue as a result of the COVID crisis. Here's how EDC helped them meet - and exceed - their exporting goals.
Talent Pipeline Development
Regulatory/Permitting Support
Benchmark Labs relocates HQ from SF; taps into San Diego talent pool and cleantech industry
Benchmark Labs was looking to relocate to a region with greater access to STEM talent and an established Cleantech industry. Enter, San Diego. Benchmark Labs reached out to EDC to receive transitional support and access to talent through the region’s leading education institutions.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Science Spark’s pivot to virtual events catalyzed by COVID-19 relief funding
When Science Spark's annual festival was cancelled and reduced cash flow limited its options, EDC and WTCSD stepped in to help.
Talent Pipeline Development
Career Exploration Day opens doors for local students, small companies
With support from title sponsor Qualcomm Incorporated, EDC hosted Advancing San Diego: Career Exploration Day and Virtual Career fair — a free online event that brought together employers and San Diego students for a day of career exploration, professional development, and networking.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Funki Adventures secures relief funding amid COVID-19 lockdowns
As tourism severely declined during COVID-19 lockdowns, Funki Adventures struggled to maintain its usual customer flow. Here's how EDC helped.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Strategic Partnerships
Creative Electron secures tax credit and expands workforce; develops Six Sigma expertise
EDC and CMTC team up to support Creative Electron's growth and productivity.
Regulatory/Permitting Support
Strategic Partnerships
Biocept sets sights on expansion, fueled by COVID-19 testing
Fueled by its pivot to meet COVID-19 testing demands, San Diego-based Biocept needed to relocate to support its expansion with minimal interruption to services.
Expansion Services/Site Selection
Economic Incentive Consulting
Recon-RF expands San Diego R&D operations; sets sights on continued business growth
Recon-RF reached out to EDC to help with expanding its operations within San Diego, from finding lab spaces and manufacturing facilities to capitalizing on the region's talent pipeline. Here's how the EDC provided support.
Intelligence/Research
Cleantech San Diego seeks to quantify industry impact, inform City Climate Action Report
As the Cleantech industry continues to grow and evolve, it needs consistent and well-defined metrics that accurately measure the size and scope of the cluster. EDC's Research Bureau conducted an assessment to analyze the industry's economic impact over time.
Expansion Services/Site Selection
Strategic Partnerships
Economic Incentive Consulting
Resiliency Technologies, Inc. moves HQ to SD
EDC provided assistance to Resiliency Technologies, Inc. as it moved its headquarters to San Diego, and continues to help wherever possible as the company grows here.
Talent Pipeline Development
Marketing/Visibility
Strategic Partnerships
Advancing San Diego software internship program leads to full-time positions
San Diego’s small tech companies face numerous challenges in attracting and retaining top software talent. Here's how Advancing San Diego helped several small firms secure interns from top, local education programs.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Strategic Partnerships
Marketing/Visibility
The Broken Token receives state tax credit, expands in North County
After seven successful years in business, Escondido-based The Broken Token was ready to grow. Founder Greg Spence was considering leaving California for a state that offered lower operating costs and more tax incentives. In order to stay in North County, the company needed to find financial support. That's where Innovate78 stepped in.
Talent Pipeline Development
Marketing/Visibility
Welfie benefits from interns, external promotion while expanding to meet COVID-19 needs
Welfie hosted interns at no cost through EDC's Adnvancing San Diego program, allowing them to bring on more part-time staff to aid in the company's software expansion.
Regulatory/Permitting Support
BD deemed essential; remains operational amid uprise of COVID-19
Through a connection shepherded by EDC, BD received written clarity that it was an essential business – providing the company with the necessary documentation from the San Jose Mayor and a County Supervisor to assure their workforce could safely and effectively return to work. Through these efforts, EDC was able to lay that groundwork to ensure that there was no disruption in its San Diego operations, as well.
Strategic Partnerships
Marketing/Visibility
Northrop Grumman invests in local talent development; strengthens relationships with underrepresented populations
Inspired by EDC's Inclusive Growth Initiative, Northrop Grumman Corporation launched a new program in collaboration with the community colleges. Underserved students in as early as high school have the opportunity to pursue careers in aerospace and defense through the company's San Diego office.
Inbound Investment Support
Port secures new business through WTC Trade Mission
During WTC San Diego’s October 2019 Trade Mission to Germany, WTC, Port of San Diego, and Pasha Automotive Services leveraged the participation of Congressman Scott Peters in meetings with large automotive OEMs, leading to new business opportunities for Pasha and the Port while increased visibility for potential customers.
Marketing/Visibility
Viasat video highlights its local roots to amplify talent attraction efforts
To compete in a increasingly saturated San Diego tech ecosystem, Viasat partnered with EDC's San Diego: Life. Changing. campaign to increase its talent brand visibility.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Cubic secures headquarters redevelopment in San Diego
Cubic needed to modernize and redevelop its campus to help attract talent, and provide adequate facilities for the next 50 years. As a result, EDC worked hand-in-hand with its team to secure the necessary incentives to keep San Diego a competitive option, despite pressure to relocate facilities out-of-state.
Inbound Investment Support
Turkey-based Elsis Electronics establishes US entity in San Diego
When ELSIS Electronic Systems was looking to establish a U.S. entity on the West Coast, they reached an impasse: Seattle or San Diego? Here's how EDC made its case for San Diego.
Strategic Partnerships
Altitude University partners to expand drone education business
While there are big opportunities for drone companies in a variety of commercial applications, the industry remains highly constrained by regulations that are still being developed by the FAA. Startups in this space, like Altitude University, must get creative to find revenue, often having to create new innovative partnerships.
Economic Incentive Consulting
Regulatory/Permitting Support
San Diego’s largest fintech company receives $5 million state tax credit
Axos Bank significantly reduced costs through EDC's economic incentive consulting service.
Expansion Services/Site Selection
Red Door Interactive expands in Tijuana
Red Door Interactive was looking to expand without compromising team synergy and regional proximity. Here's how EDC helped them find a new site.
Intelligence/Research
Water Authority seeks to quantify economic impact of water infrastructure investment
To help the public gain insight into the importance of water resource planning and investments in water infrastructure, the San Diego County Water Authority partnered with EDC's research team to conduct and in-depth economic impact assessment of water infrastructure in the region.
Export/Logistics Consulting
EDDY Pump turns $10K grant into $5 million in exports
Together with EDC, EDDY Pump refined its marketing tactics to reach connections in Spanish-speaking countries.
Export/Logistics Consulting
Dr. Bronner’s leverages MetroConnect to generate $1.8M in purchase value
With a growing portion of its business coming from international markets, Dr. Bronner’s needed an effective marketing strategy to increase sales in the growing Taiwanese market. MetroConnect provided it with the tools it needed to reach its target demographics.
Marketing/Visibility
EDC helps Walmart Labs establish talent pipelines and partnerships
Despite being the tech arm of one of the largest companies in the world, Walmart Labs had been operating under-the-radar in Carlsbad’s Tech Center. As they prepared to open a new office in the Make Space, the growing company expressed a need to better connect with tech talent and potential local partners. That's where EDC stepped in.
Marketing/Visibility
Sony raises local profile through talent video
In a war for top STEM talent, Sony partnered with EDC's San Diego: Life. Changing. campaign to attract talent and promote its positive presence in the region.
Market Strategy
Export/Logistics Consulting
WTCSD helps VisionTree open UK office
As the delivery of healthcare turns more and more into data-centered healthcare models, the world’s focus has turned to how data is interpreted, who controls and has access to the data, and how that data is used to improve patient outcomes. Visiontree recognizes this and provides a solution designed to connect patients with its healthcare providers, its data, and empower it to make well-informed healthcare decisions.
Marketing/Visibility
Cloudbeds makes media splash in new HQ
After an initial meeting, Cloudbeds became a WTCSD MetroConnect company, and vocalized its hope for increased brand exposure at home and abroad. EDC stepped in to support the company in making a media splash around its new headquarters with a ribbon-cutting and media event in November 2018.
Looking to grow in San Diego? We’re here to help.
Whether you are a small startup looking for a San Diego expansion site, an international business looking to connect with San Diego partners, or a larger company looking to understand its economic impact, we can help. Most of our individual company work is done at no cost to the company, thanks to the support of our nearly 200 investors.*
*Extensive individualized economic research is fee-for-service