San Diego’s Good News of the Week – March 15, 2024

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of March 15, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

EDC’s Annual Dinner: June 18 at Petco Park

EDC invites you to Annual Dinner, our signature event of the year, gathering more than 900 business and community leaders to celebrate our region and organization. We are back at Petco Park and promise great food, thoughtful conversations with your colleagues and friends, and a short program. Sponsorship opportunities available, contact Jennifer Storm for more information.

Get Early Bird Ticket 


Business information and resources page

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Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

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Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – March 8, 2024

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of March 8, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

EDC’s Employee Retention and Talent Insights Study

EDC is scoping a unique study of local talent that will survey employees directly to draw insights regarding workforce effectiveness, skill readiness, and workplace needs. Insights will inform employee retention, company return to office plans, and office tenant attraction strategies. There is no cost to participate. To join us, please contact our team.

Learn More


Business information and resources page

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Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing

Samsung Semiconductor opens customer engagement office in San Diego

Together with Mayor Todd Gloria, EDC celebrated the opening of Samsung Semiconductor‘s new customer engagement office in San Diego, supporting Southern California customers.

“Samsung Semiconductor’s Memory and Foundry businesses are poised for growth as we innovate and fuel the future of AI, mobile, and automotive,” said Samsung Semiconductor’s U.S. President Jinman Han. “We are expanding in San Diego to better serve our customers in Southern California.”

“Just a few months ago, I led a delegation to South Korea where we visited Samsung’s Biologic offices and other tech giants to strengthen business relationships and to try to grow more quality jobs here at home,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.

“Today, we’re thrilled to see Samsung Semiconductor doubling down on its local tech footprint and making an important and valuable addition to San Diego’s globally connected innovation economy.”

Located in Del Mar, the new San Diego office is home to Memory and Foundry customer engagement teams totaling approximately 20 employees. Both teams support innovations that power AI, mobile, automotive, IoT, the data center, and more.

  • The Memory team partners closely with major local customers to develop and validate memory solutions for mutual end-customers across applications.
  • The Foundry team is responsible for the end-to-end support and engagement with customers in Southern California. This includes identifying the best Foundry technology for Samsung Semiconductor customers’ needs to sustaining production using Samsung’s process technologies ranging from 150nm all the way to 2nm.

Samsung Semiconductor has had offices in San Diego since 2010, with an R&D center focused on SOC, modem systems, RF systems, multimedia, AI, and commercialization. The company employs more than 200 employees in San Diego with plans for additional growth.

About Samsung Semiconductor

Samsung Semiconductor is a world-leading semiconductor company with a wide range of products that power the tools you use every day – including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and more. For more information and the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at semiconductor.samsung.com.

About EDC

San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is an independently-funded economic development organization that mobilizes business, government, and civic leaders around an inclusive economic development strategy in order to connect data to decision making, maximize regional prosperity, enhance global competitiveness, and position San Diego effectively for investment and talent.

WTCSD’s Q1 Global Brief: Spotlighting San Diego’s global growth

Each month, World Trade Center San Diego delivers the latest global news and updates straight to your inbox.

In Q4 2023, here’s what you need to know about San Diego’s global trade, investment, and engagement. ➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief each quarter.

WTCSD unveils MetroConnect VII export accelerator cohort

Together with Mayor Todd Gloria and underwriters Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and JPMorgan Chase & Co., WTCSD announced the 15 companies named to MetroConnect VII, which helps local, small- and mid-sized businesses build resilience by facilitating increased sales in global markets. From strategic and health technology to consumer goods, the multi-industry cohort will have access to a suite of resources to support expansion into international markets, including up to $30,000 in grant funding.
➝ Meet the Companies

Following trade mission, Dutch TNO establishes first North American office in San Diego

Following its Urban Strategy predictive modeling platform demonstration during WTCSD’s 2022 Netherlands trade mission, the Dutch government’s premier applied science research organization TNO will locate its first North American employee in San Diego. The partnership aims to develop a regional digital twin to inform San Diego’s decisions on land use, infrastructure, transportation, and housing development, complementing the region’s inclusive economic goals.
➝Read More

How MetroConnect VII’s Wearable Sensing is revolutionizing neurological research

Wearable Sensing develops wearable brain activity monitoring sensors using its patented active dry electrode technology to support research needs in real time, including studying brain function, identifying neurological disorders, and investigating effects of treatments on brain activity. As part of the new MetroConnect VII cohort, the Rancho Bernardo-based company aims to launch its technology further onto the global stage and grow its international sales in markets like the Middle East.
➝Read More

San Diego News

Events

Grow your company in san diego ↓

World Trade Center San Diego works directly with companies—free of charge—to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego.

  • Export Specialty Center: For small companies interested in learning about exporting and international growth.
  • MetroConnect: For small and medium-sized companies ready to export and grow internationally.

➝ Get WTCSD’s Global Brief delivered straight to your inbox.


You might also like:

For COVID-19 recovery resources and information: Visit this page, or see how we can help your company free of charge.

Open now: California Competes Tax Credit

ABOUT THE California Competes Tax Credit

San Diego businesses: Apply by March 18 for the Cal Competes Tax Credit. Available to companies looking to expand or retain jobs in California over the next five years, applicants may be eligible for up to $164 million in tax credits from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

Awards are based on several factors:

  • Number of jobs created or retained
  • Anticipated amount of new capital investments
  • Overall economic benefit
  • Opportunities for future growth and expansion
  • The extent to which the tax credit influences the applicant’s decision to relocate jobs from states that have enacted laws that permit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; or deny or interfere with women’s reproductive rights

For more information on eligibility and assistance, visit the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) website.

learn more & Apply by march 18

need help applying?

All businesses are encouraged to attend either of the following GO-Biz webinars before beginning the application process:

EDC’s expert team is also available, free of charge, to San Diego companies in need of assistance. Since 2015, EDC has supported 39 companies in winning $86,371,700 in credits. 

HELP MY BUSINESS APPLY

“Creative Electron is very pleased with the support received from CMTC and EDC. We are constantly thinking of our growth goals and how to get there. We believe our people and diversity make us great, and by providing them with the tools to expand their skill set, we are confident we will be able to exceed our ambitious goals.”
–Mariem Ortiz, VP of Operations at Creative Electron, which secured a California Competes Tax Credit of $446,700.

MORE RESOURCES

EDC’s business services

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – March 1, 2024

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of March 1, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Opening March 4: California Competes Tax Credit

Is your business looking to grow in, relocate to, or even leave California? You may be eligible for up to $164 million in tax credits from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to stay and expand in the state. EDC’s expert team, which has supported 39 companies in winning more than $86 million in credits, is available at no cost to San Diego companies seeking guidance on the California Competes Tax Credit application.

Learn More


Business information and resources page

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Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – February 23, 2024

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of February 23, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Share your insight: San Diego and Imperial small business survey

EDC and SBDC invite small businesses in San Diego and Imperial counties to participate in a brief survey, which aims to better understand evolving business needs in this ever-changing climate. The aggregated, anonymized survey results will help SBDC provide regional business support and programming via its network of advisors.

Take and Share the Survey


Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – February 16, 2024

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of February 16, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Share your insight: San Diego and Imperial SBDC survey

EDC’s Research Bureau invites local small businesses to participate in the San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network’s survey by March 1, which aims to better understand evolving business needs in this ever-changing climate. The aggregated survey results will help SBDC provide regional business support and programming via its network of advisors.

Take and Share the Survey


Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – February 9, 2024

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower San Diego.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of February 9, 2024, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Host summer interns at no cost

Together with the Border Region Talent Pipeline K-16 Collaborative, EDC invites companies in San Diego and Imperial Counties to apply to host fully funded computing, engineering, and/or business interns this summer. Internship applicants are pre-screened and sourced through Advancing San Diego’s Verified Programs, ensuring they are learning the industry’s most in-demand skills.

Apply by March 7


Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

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Liz Muthoni
Liz Muthoni

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing

Meet the MetroConnect VII companies!

Add these to your ‘companies to watch’ list

Together with Mayor Todd Gloria and underwriters Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte and JPMorgan Chase & Co., World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) unveiled the seventh cohort of companies selected to participate in MetroConnect, the region’s comprehensive export assistance program helping local companies accelerate their international growth.

Since the program’s debut in 2015, 95 MetroConnect alumni have collectively added 302 new jobs to the region, signed more than 522 new contracts, and set up 22 new overseas facilities. On average, cohort companies grow their exports by an average 63 percent and revenues by 40 percent as part of the program. Alumni include Novo Brazil Brewing Co., Access Trax, White Labs, Dr. Bronner’s, Bitchin’ Sauce, Scientist.com, Aira (acquired by Blue Diego Investment Group), Cypher Genomics (acquired by Human Longevity Inc.), and many more.

Now, WTCSD is pleased to welcome the newest set of MetroConnect companies representing the diversity of San Diego’s innovation economy.

Meet the MetroConnect VII companies

  1. Aquacycl
  2. Epitope Diagnostics
  3. Fieldsheer
  4. GALT Aerospace
  5. Harland Brewing Company
  6. Health Innovation Products
  7. Lotus Sustainables
  8. Promo Drone
  9. Selk’bag
  10. Sunday Golf
  11. Surf Loch
  12. VECKTA
  13. VeV Scientific
  14. Visaic
  15. Wearable Sensing

Learn about the companies

The MetroConnect program is highly competitive, with just 15 companies selected based on a variety of criteria, including interest in new foreign markets, assessed impact of funds, current international traction and more. Applicants were assessed by a panel of senior level representatives from Biocom, Connect, CMTC, WTCSD and the U.S. Commercial Service.

“Since its launch, the City of San Diego has been a proud supporter of MetroConnect and the nearly 100 businesses it has helped grow internationally,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “As Mayor, I’m committed to supporting the small businesses that power San Diego’s economy, and international connectivity is an important tool in building economic resilience.”

Why go global?

Amid economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to help local SMEs build resilience by facilitating increased sales in global markets.

In 2022 alone, San Diego exported more than $32 billion in goods overseas, as well as billions more in services like software, cybersecurity, engineering and research. SMEs produce 92 percent of those goods—driving home the importance of programs like MetroConnect.

“Booz Allen is proud to support international business connectivity in San Diego through MetroConnect,” said Jennie Brooks, EVP at MetroConnect underwriter Booz Allen Hamilton, and EDC board chair. “The metrics don’t lie—it’s clear global companies are more competitive, efficient and successful. We’re committed to continuing this important work in San Diego’s business community.”

Next up for MetroConnect VII

The cohort will gain access to a suite of resources to support expansion into international markets, including executive workshops, flight discounts, language translation, and up to $30,000 in grant funding.

“2024 is filled with great opportunity for those who are prepared to navigate an uncertain and dynamic environment,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of WTCSD. “Now with new tracks focused on technology, health and consumer goods, the MetroConnect program will ensure San Diego’s rapidly growing firms are equipped to access global markets, share our region’s life-changing innovation with the world, and create high quality jobs here at home.”

Interested in growing your business internationally?

World Trade Center San Diego works directly with companies – free of charge – to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego. Whether your small company is interested in learning about exporting and international growth, or your SME is ready to export and grow internationally, WTCSD is here to help.

Ready to get involved? Click here to receive our monthly Global Brief Newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.