Category: Blog

MetroConnect Spotlight: Aquacycl

By Sophia Antonopoulos,

World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) works directly with companies free of charge to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego, supported by San Diego Regional EDC’s 150+ private company and public agency investors. Since 2015, WTCSD’s MetroConnect export accelerator has assisted 110 San Diego 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.

We sat down with Orianna Bretschger, CEO of MetroConnect VII finalist Aquacycl, to discuss the company’s industrial wastewater treatment and its recent international growth through its time in MetroConnect.

Tell us about Aquacycl and its mission.

Aquacycl provides industrial wastewater treatment as a service to help companies reduce operational costs, mitigate climate impacts, and support healthy watersheds and communities worldwide. Our products and services guarantee permit compliance, greenhouse gas mitigation, reliable performance in variable production environments, and operational savings.

Aquacycl is revolutionizing the treatment of challenging industrial wastes generated from food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical facilities, with a total serviceable market opportunity approaching $100 billion, and our existing clients include PepsiCo and other global enterprises in food, beverage, and chemical production.

Why did you apply to be in MetroConnect?

Aquacycl applied to be in MetroConnect for the wide variety of business resources and export support the program provides. We hoped to expand our international presence, particularly in Mexico and Europe, where industrial water challenges are rapidly growing and sustainability regulations are tightening.

How did MetroConnect help your company?

As a growing company, the support and resources MetroConnect has provided have been invaluable. For example, we were able to use the program’s grant in order to cover some of the broker fees associated with the export of our system into Mexico.

We also leveraged MetroConnect to access valuable international business resources that helped us strengthen our export readiness and better navigate the complexities of international shipping and compliance.

What is on the horizon for Aquacycl’s international growth?

Aquacycl intends to accelerate sales in the EU due to the region’s increasingly strict regulatory framework and emphasis on circular economic initiatives. We will also continue to grow sales within the tequila and mezcal distilling regions of Mexico to help customers avoid business risk through water reuse initiatives.

What advice would you give to companies interested in growing internationally and participating in MetroConnect?

The advice we would give other companies beginning to grow internationally is to understand and take advantage of the suite of great resources MetroConnect offers. We also recommend companies keep export manifests short and simple to speed up inspections and avoid extra shipping or border fees.

Your turn: Grow your international sales with MetroConnect, too!

Like Sunday Golf, apply to join MetroConnect VIII, and receive an export grant, expert advising, workshops, regional mentors, and more.

APPLY NOW →

The application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Plus: Learn how 110 MetroConnect alumni, including Dr. Bronner’s, Blue Sky Network, EDDY Pump, and White Labs, leveraged the program to drive 66 percent average export growth and 45 percent average revenue growth.

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 23, 2025

By Enya Castañeda,

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.

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

For the week of May 23, 2025, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

EDC’s Quarterly Economic Snapshot

Every quarter, EDC’s Research team analyzes key economic indicators to provide valuable insights important in understanding the region’s economy. In Q1 2025, San Diego saw a drop in housing permits, growing demand for industrial space, and a targeted shift in VC funding—especially with changes at the federal level.

Learn More

Business information and resources page

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

MetroConnect Spotlight: Sunday Golf

By Sophia Antonopoulos,

World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) works directly with companies free of charge to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego, supported by San Diego Regional EDC’s 150+ private company and public agency investors. Since 2015, WTCSD’s MetroConnect export accelerator has assisted 110 San Diego 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.

We sat down with Ronan Galvin, co-owner of MetroConnect VII finalist Sunday Golf, to discuss the company’s modern golf gear and its recent international growth through its time in MetroConnect.

Tell us about Sunday Golf and its mission.

Sunday Golf operates in the golf industry with a mission to remind the world that life is meant to be enjoyed. Our core focus is designing the best golf bags that match any style of play—whether you’re heading to a par 3 course, the driving range, a simulator, or a full course. We also offer options tailored for kids.

Our brand stands out by being more relatable than aspirational, connecting with the everyday golfer in a fun and approachable way.

Why did you apply to be in MetroConnect?

We applied to be in the MetroConnect program for support exporting internationally. Sunday Golf currently exports to the UK, Western Europe, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand—markets chosen for their robust golf culture and demand.

Exporting is critical for us as it dramatically expands our opportunity to share our products and mission worldwide, but it can come with challenges such as gaining access to new markets and identifying reliable distributors. Our goal in applying for the MetroConnect program was to leverage their resources and advice as we continued to grow.

How did MetroConnect help your company?

The MetroConnect program has played a pivotal role in our international expansion. It enabled us to exhibit at the PGA Show, where we connected with key distributors. We also hosted our Australian distributor in San Diego, further strengthening our relationship. And we are strongly considering exhibiting or visiting the Japan Golf show next March.

Through the U.S. Commercial Service, a key MetroConnect partner, we were introduced to valuable contacts in new foreign markets. As a result, we secured international distribution agreements with Grand Trading (Canada), Vin Distribution (Southeast Asia), and Second Chance (UK/Western Europe).

The foundational export strategy and mentorship provided by WTCSD have been game-changing.

What is on the horizon for Sunday Golf’s international growth?

Over the next year, Sunday Golf will continue strengthening relationships and growing sales in our current international markets. A key focus will be identifying and securing distribution partners in untapped regions such as Japan, South Korea, the Middle East, and potentially Latin America. We also plan to increase participation in international trade shows and further invest in our digital marketing efforts to support global growth.

What advice would you give to companies interested in growing internationally and participating in MetroConnect?

For companies looking to expand internationally, we strongly recommend leveraging WTCSD and its mentorship programs. As a small, bootstrapped company, WTCSD has been invaluable in helping us to grow our business internationally and create more jobs in San Diego.

With MetroConnect’s support, Sunday Golf was able to go from $0 in international revenue to $1M in forecasted international revenue in just one year. We would not be where we are today without the program.

Your turn: Grow your international sales with MetroConnect, too!

Like Sunday Golf, apply to join MetroConnect VIII, and receive an export grant, expert advising, workshops, regional mentors, and more.

APPLY NOW →

The application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Plus: Learn how 110 MetroConnect alumni, including Dr. Bronner’s, Blue Sky Network, EDDY Pump, and White Labs, leveraged the program to drive 66 percent average export growth and 45 percent average revenue growth.

MetroConnect Spotlight: Epitope Diagnostics

By Sophia Antonopoulos,

World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) works directly with companies free of charge to help them expand internationally and grow in San Diego, supported by San Diego Regional EDC’s 150+ private company and public agency investors. Since 2015, WTCSD’s MetroConnect export accelerator has assisted 110 San Diego 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.

We sat down with Laura Mendez, Customer Service Representative at MetroConnect VII finalist Epitope Diagnostics Inc., to discuss the company’s in-vitro diagnostic products and its recent international growth through its time in MetroConnect.

Tell us about Epitope and its mission.

Epitope is dedicated to the development, manufacturing, and marketing of high-quality, innovative in-vitro diagnostic products. We serve the global research, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors, with a strong commitment to addressing the world’s unmet medical needs. Our goal is to be a leading contributor in advancing healthcare solutions worldwide.

Why did you apply to be in MetroConnect?

We applied to be in MetroConnect for support as we began our international exporting journey.

The global medical diagnostics market is growing rapidly and competitive, and as a manufacturer of clinical laboratory diagnostic products, Epitope benefits from working across multiple regions. However, the process can be challenging for growing companies like ours, so the resources and support MetroConnect offers are invaluable to promote products of San Diego.

How did MetroConnect help your company?

Thanks to the support provided by the MetroConnect program and the Export SBDC team at WTCSD, Epitope successfully applied for the STEP program and was awarded a grant. This funding has partially covered our participation in trade shows in Dubai and Germany, significantly contributing to our efforts to expand into global markets.

Most importantly, we have continued to receive valuable counseling and mentorship from WTCSD, MetroConnect, and the U.S. Commercial Service. They have been instrumental in assisting us, from connecting with key contacts outside the U.S. for our current registration, to helping us apply for grants through the STEP program to offset trade show costs. With the help, Epitope was able to grow from two shows in 2023 to six shows in 2025.

What is on the horizon for Epitope’s international growth?

Epitope has plans for expansion, and with all our new partnerships, we are confident about the trajectory of our international sales growth. We are moving to a new building in San Diego to accommodate three times more space.

Additionally, we plan to continue exhibiting at trade shows and are likely to attend new ones. This year, we have added four more international shows to our list for promoting our products. Our ongoing strategy focuses on targeting more partners with our innovative products with six patents in Europe, India, the Middle East, and South America.

What advice would you give to companies interested in growing internationally and participating in MetroConnect?

Our advice would be to evaluate and understand your market thoroughly. Select the right partners, such as distributors, freight forwarders, or customs brokers, ensuring they are reliable and experienced. Look for partners with local knowledge and expertise in navigating the complexities of the target market. Familiarize yourself with the local regulations as well as those in the export destination.

Thanks to MetroConnect we have been connected with excellent partners and received support throughout this process.

Your turn: Grow your international sales with MetroConnect, too!

Like Epitope Diagnostics, apply to join MetroConnect VIII, and receive an export grant, expert advising, workshops, regional mentors, and more.

APPLY NOW →

The application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Plus: Learn how 110 MetroConnect alumni, including Dr. Bronner’s, Blue Sky Network, EDDY Pump, and White Labs, leveraged the program to drive 66 percent average export growth and 45 percent average revenue growth.

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 16, 2025

By Enya Castañeda,

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.

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

For the week of May 16, 2025, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

A note from our Talent Initiatives Director

In the past five months, we have seen our education systems face cuts that threaten our most vulnerable communities… Now more than ever, we are challenged to come together, discuss, and ideate. As San Diego emerges from the shock and chaos that this year’s headlines have already caused, let’s pause to think about the business opportunity ahead of us in education and filling the gap left by government funding.

More from Taylor Dunne

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

EDC celebrates 60th anniversary, welcomes Padres’ Tom Seidler as board chair

By Bree Burris,

As San Diego Regional EDC celebrates 60 years since its founding in 1965 and continues to drive an inclusive economic development strategy for the region, outgoing Board Chair Jennie Brooks passes the gavel to Tom Seidler, Executive Vice President, Community & International Impact of the San Diego Padres.

“It was my brother Peter who first asked me to represent the Padres on the EDC board.

Tom and late brother Peter Seidler, ownership of the San Diego Padres

I am honored to take on this new role and work even more closely with EDC’s team. Our mission is to drive greater inclusion, innovation, and growth across San Diego in order to better elevate our people, businesses, and identity on the global stage,” said Tom Seidler, Executive Vice President, Community & International Impact of the San Diego Padres. The Padres, which employs more than 1,200 San Diegans, have become a consistent playoff contender and top-three team in attendance over the past several years.

While San Diego faces new pressures at the local, state, and federal level, and while residents and businesses are continually challenged by the affordability crisis, the goalposts outlined in the Inclusive Growth Initiative are more important than ever. It is an economic imperative that the region create more skilled talent, quality jobs, and thriving households, or San Diego’s competitiveness is at risk.

“I am proud to pass the gavel to my colleague and friend Tom Seidler in this milestone year,“ said outgoing Chair Jennie Brooks, Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, who served a three-year term which saw EDC’s largest headcount and budget during a time of post-pandemic economic recovery. “EDC’s employer-led, data-driven approach makes crystal clear the needs of the economy and the onus of the business community in making a difference. I know Tom will continue this important work and set us on the right path for EDC’s next 60 years.”

As Chair, Seidler is supported by five officers: Vice Chair Kevin Pegels, Head of Global Quality & Operations, Illumina; Vice Chair Karen Reinhardt, Head of HR, US, ASML; Vice Chair of Inclusive Growth Lisette Islas, CEO, Lifeline Community Services; Treasurer Manuel Rodriguez, Market President, San Diego Commercial Banking, U.S. Bank; and Secretary Jane Finley, Senior Vice President & Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente.

Along with the election of a new chair, EDC’s board also elected five new directors: Tyler Carter, Park President, SeaWorld San Diego; Brunson Howard, Market Leader & Senior Managing Director, CBRE; Richard Neale, Corporate Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development & Growth Officer, Scripps Health; Jennette Shay, COO, Price Philanthropies Foundation; and Dan Skopec, Senior Vice President & CRO, San Diego Gas & Electric.

EDC is a membership-based nonprofit organization that mobilizes 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. The organization’s more than 150 investors (members) range from rising stars like NOVO Brazil Brewing Co., to the region’s largest employers like Qualcomm and Illumina, to leading anchor institutions such as universities, hospitals, and sports franchises, among others.

“As a beloved San Diego leader, Tom is perfectly positioned to lead EDC in this unique moment in time. Notably, he has moved through each EDC officer role, serving as past secretary, treasurer, and vice chair,” said Mark Cafferty, President & CEO, San Diego Regional EDC. “With a national climate as challenging as this, Tom’s humility, leadership, and deep understanding of San Diego’s strengths and opportunities are exactly what the organization needs as we strive to make San Diego a model for the nation and the world.”

EDC officially welcomed Tom Seidler as Board Chair at its Annual Dinner event at Petco Park on Thursday, May 15.

Learn more & get involved

A note from our Talent Initiatives Director

By Taylor Dunne,

Education & how business can fill the gap left by government funding

In the past five months, we have seen our education systems face cuts that threaten our most vulnerable communities. To help contextualize their impact, here’s what we know about the current state of education funding for our region:

  • The Governor is proposing a 7.95 percent cut to the CSU and UC systems. This equates to $128 million in cuts to San Diego alone and makes up nearly 40 percent of all state budget reductions.
  • The House Education and Workforce Committee has proposed $351 billion in budget cuts, including adjusted requirements for Pell Grant eligibility that would impact more than 125,000 students in the CSU system alone.
  • Federal agency research funding faces significant threats. This funding accounts for more than half of total research awards in the UC system, which produced 78 startups in FY23 alone.
  • The state continues to cut funding to the California Strong Workforce Program, impacting its ability to support career education. These cuts could reduce access to direct workforce training and supportive services, limiting opportunities for both students and workers.

Now more than ever, we are challenged to come together, discuss, and ideate. As San Diego emerges from the shock and chaos this year’s headlines have already caused, let’s pause to think about the opportunity ahead of us.

What is not news is that many of our systems, in their current forms, often struggle to serve the individuals and communities that need them most. While we know higher education to be an effective vehicle for socio-economic mobility, we continue to see a positive correlation between income and the test scores that determine college eligibility. Proposed reductions to Pell Grant availability, especially impacting individuals that must work full-time to make ends meet, will exacerbate these issues and make educational attainment even more challenging for low-income individuals.

In order to meet business needs for our future workforce and ensure all San Diegans have an opportunity to succeed—two goals that inextricably go hand in hand—we need creative and cross-functional solutions. Where the government divests, enterprise must invest to ensure its most critical asset, its people, remain available and prepared.

San Diego Regional EDC will continue to serve as a convener for the region, bringing the right people to the table for collaborative solutions. With changes in technology, an ever-increasing cost of living, and significant shifts in skills needs, EDC will advocate for a less linear and more intertwined relationship between industry and education. This comes in the form of:

  1. frequent exposure to the World of Work through experienceships and company tours;
  2. internships, like those available through Advancing San Diego and the K-16 Collaborative;
  3. and skills-first hiring practices like those available through apprenticeship models and advocated for by Opportunity @ Work.

EDC will also continue to explore new and innovative ways for businesses to help fill gaps, such as company-supported ScholarShare 529 plans or loan forgiveness programs for upskilling education.

Join us on May 21 for our Q2 Inclusive Growth Roundtable to learn more about this work and see how you can get involved. This small lunchtime event aims to bring together investors and partners engaged in the Inclusive Growth Initiative—especially the talent goal—to discuss where we stand as a region on doubling the number of skilled workers with just five years left in our timeline. If you are interested in joining that lunch, drop us a line!

Thank you,

Taylor Dunne
Taylor Dunne

Director, Talent Initiatives

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 9, 2025

By Enya Castañeda,

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.

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

For the week of May 9, 2025, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Annual Dinner is less than a week away!

This year EDC is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Join us at Petco Park on Thursday, May 15 to celebrate at our Annual Dinner! Together with 900 attendees, we invite you to hear from EDC leadership, celebrate this year’s award winners, and walk on the field to enjoy a dinner reception and inspiring conversation at Gallagher Square.

Register Today

Business information and resources page

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 2, 2025

By Enya Castañeda,

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.

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

For the week of May 2, 2025, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

 

Investor Spotlight: San Diego Seals

EDC’s impact is made possible with and through the investment of more than 150 public and private organizations. Last month, we sat down with EDC investor and National Lacrosse League team, the San Diego Seals, to learn more about the team, its tourism industry impact, and why it invests in EDC.

Learn More

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.

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

Monthly Report – May 2025

By Enya Castañeda,

A note from our Talent Initiatives Director

As education faces funding cuts at the state and federal level, we are challenged to come together, discuss, and ideate now more than ever. While San Diego emerges from the shock and chaos that this year’s headlines have already caused, EDC invites you pause to think about the opportunity ahead of us.

More from Taylor

By the numbers

  • 264 companies surveyed for 2025 talent demand reports
  • 63% respondents have manufacturing ops
  • 26% respondents represent ict industry
  • 19% report a 6-month delay to fill entry-level software developer roles

Featured Case Study

Featured stories

New and renewing investors

  • BD
  • BioMed Realty
  • CBRE
  • Carrier Johnson + Culture
  • ESET North America
  • Excelerate
  • Lifeline Community Services
  • Life Science Cares
  • Otay Mesa Energy Center
  • San Diego International Aiport
  • Scripps
  • Snell & Wilmer
  • Solar Turbines
  • Southwest
  • Strategic Communications
  • TOOTRiS

See our current monthly report