Category: Press

Mayor Gloria, Rep. Peters to lead WTCSD Japan trade mission to strengthen economic ties in Indo-Pacific

By Bree Burris,

WORLD TRADE CENTER SAN DIEGO CONVENES REGIONAL DELEGATION TO CREATE LOCAL JOBS, EXPAND SAN DIEGO GLOBAL IDENTITY

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Congressman Scott Peters, and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD)—the international team at San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC)—are leading a 2026 trade delegation to Japan. During the September 7–11 trade mission, business, civic, and academic leaders will build partnerships across defense and maritime dual-use technologies, AI and semiconductors, life sciences, and urban development. 

As trade policy uncertainty reshapes the global economy, it is more important than ever for San Diego companies and institutions to strengthen ties with trusted international partners. Japan—San Diego’s second-largest foreign investor and a global leader in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, robotics, shipbuilding, life sciences, and emerging technologies—offers significant opportunities for collaboration with San Diego’s innovation economy. This trade mission will explore new pathways for investment, market access, research collaboration, and business connectivity while reinforcing San Diego’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific. 

“San Diego is open for business, and I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we show up and build relationships around the world,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “WTCSD trade missions create opportunities to attract investment, support job growth, and open new markets for San Diego businesses. Japan is one of our most important global partners, and as we approach 70 years of friendship between San Diego and Yokohama, we are building on that relationship to bring new investment, partnerships and opportunities home to our region.” 

“Now is the time to identify the right global partners to build the future together. Japan’s complementary expertise in developing and scaling critical technologies, along with its decades–long commitment to the San Diego binational region, make it a natural partner in this moment. That’s why we’re returning for our second trade mission to Japan in a decade, to turn momentum into impact here at home,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of WTCSD and chief strategy officer at EDC. 

Over the five-day trade mission in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, the delegation will pursue new business and institutional partnerships and showcase San Diego as a destination for investment.

Agenda items include:

  • Celebrating 70 years of a Sister City partnership between San Diego and Yokohama, including a special address by Mayor Gloria to the Yokohama City Council and meetings with Yokohama’s city council president and other leadership—among other elected officials across the country.
  • A visit to the U.S. Naval Base at Yokosuka, the largest naval base outside of the U.S., with deep ties to San Diego
  • Advancing semiconductor and AI collaboration through meetings with Japanese industry and academic leaders—including Kyocera, RISE-A, and Yokohama Hardtech Hub—focused on pairing San Diego’s semiconductor design and edge AI strengths with Japan’s manufacturing and materials expertise. 
  • Driving fusion energy commercialization through a visit to Kyoto Fusioneering, a tour of the University of Osaka’s Institute of Laser Engineering, and discussions with General Atomics, UC San Diego, and Japanese partners on the technologies, infrastructure, and talent needed to commercialize fusion energy. 
  • Strengthening maritime and shipbuilding partnerships through meetings with Japan’s federal government agencies and the Port of San Diego, General Dynamics NASSCO, SAIC, and emerging defense technology company Firestorm Labs. 
  • Pitching the San Diego binational region for investment at a Tokyo investment summit spotlighting opportunities in dual-use technology, real estate, and R&D on both sides of the border for an audience of investment-ready companies. 
  • Deepening cooperation with Japan’s life sciences ecosystem through meetings at Osaka University and Nakanoshima Qross—a next-generation innovation hub bringing together hospitals, startups, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, investors, and government—together with Biocom, San Diego R&D leaders, and investors. 

Delegates will participate in more than a dozen meetings, site visits, and networking events throughout the trade mission. The 40+ member, cross-sector San Diego delegation includes representatives from leading innovators Qualcomm, ASML, General Atomics, General Dynamics NASSCO, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Mitsubishi Electric Ventures; growing startups Firestorm Labs, La Jolla Labs, Artis BioSolutions, AquaPoro Technologies, and ActivBody; public and civic leaders from the Port of San Diego, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Tijuana EDC, SANDAG, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Biocom; research institutions UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; and more. 

“The U.S. is stronger when we work with trusted allies to build more resilient supply chains, strengthen our industrial base, and stay ahead in the technologies that will define our future,” said Congressman Scott Peters. “From shipbuilding and maritime capacity to semiconductors, defense, and fusion energy, this trade mission is about turning strong U.S.-Japan relationships into real economic and national security outcomes for San Diego and the country.” 

The trade mission is organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international team at EDC, with support provided by the U.S. Embassy in Japan, and sponsorship by Ambix Ventures, Ganmi Corporation, Alaska Airlines, SAIC, and San Diego State University. 

Learn more about Japan and San Diego’s connection here, and follow along during the trade mission: #SDinJP 

SD-JP data sheet

WTCSD has previously led trade missions to France, Singapore, South Korea, The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Vancouver, and more. This marks WTCSD’s second trade mission to Japan in the past decade. 

About World Trade Center San Diego
World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) is the international team within San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). WTCSD works to further San Diego’s global competitiveness by building an export pipeline, attracting and retaining foreign investment, and increasing San Diego’s global profile abroad. WTCSD.org

For media queries or other questions, contact:

Bree Burris
Bree Burris

Sr. Director, Communications & Community Engagement

UK-based Arup opens new San Diego office, expanding in Southern California

By San Diego Regional EDC,

 From its new home in La Jolla Commons, Arup will deepen collaboration with San Diego region clients and partners across healthcare, life sciences, and infrastructure

Together with Mayor Todd Gloria, EDC celebrated the opening of UK-based global built environment consultancy Arup‘s first office in San Diego at La Jolla Commons, growing the firm’s footprint in Southern California and strengthening its ability to collaborate with clients and collaborators across the region.

With a current staff of 12 and significant plans for growth, the new location builds on Arup’s long-standing presence in San Diego. Since 1989, Arup has designed and supported projects across the region, partnering with public and private-sector organizations to shape the built environment, particularly in life sciences and healthcare innovation. Establishing a dedicated office will deepen local relationships and bring multidisciplinary expertise closer to the people and places Arup serves​.

The office opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in partnership with EDC. The celebration brought together civic leaders, clients, collaborators, and community partners, and featured remarks from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Arup’s Americas Managing Director Scott Russell, Arup West + LATAM Geography Leader Alex Lofting, Arup San Diego Office Leader Ger Bythell, and EDC Chief Strategy Officer Nikia Clarke.

“I’m proud to welcome Arup’s first San Diego office,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.

“Their decision to invest and grow here speaks to what we already know about San Diego: this is a city with incredible talent, a strong economy and an environment where innovative companies can succeed. Arup’s expertise in infrastructure, life sciences and healthcare aligns with sectors that are important to our region’s continued growth. I look forward to seeing them create jobs, deepen their roots and become an even bigger part of our innovation ecosystem.”

San Diego is widely recognized as one of the country’s most forward-thinking regions for climate action, with policies advancing net-zero buildings, EV infrastructure, water reuse, and coastal resilience. ​The​ new office will enable Arup to better support local clients responding to these priorities, helping leaders plan, design, and deliver resilient, sustainable outcomes at pace.​

“A successful future for San Diego, and for the broader Southern California region, relies on strong partnerships. In La Jolla, our San Diego team will continue to work with clients and collaborators to help shape resilient infrastructure, high-performing places, and climate-positive development for the decades ahead,” said Ger Bythell, Arup’s San Diego Office Leader.

Bythell brings more than 34 years of experience across advisory services, program and project management, and complex capital delivery. Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams and major initiatives spanning healthcare, science and technology, commercial property, aviation, and government infrastructure. His experience helping establish and grow Arup’s presence in emerging markets positions him well to guide the firm’s next chapter in San Diego.

“We are excited Arup has chosen to deepen its investment in San Diego,” said Eduardo Velasquez, Vice President of Economic Development and Research at EDC. “Global companies like Arup choose our region for its innovation pedigree and collaborative spirit, and we look forward to seeing the team continue to shape the future with global leaders in biotech, healthcare, and design—right here in San Diego.”

The office will support growth across sectors central to the San Diego region’s economy, including healthcare, life sciences, biotech, pharmaceuticals, technology, government, property, and the blue economy.

Arup is already engaged locally with Rady Children’s Hospital, UC San Diego including the recently completed Viterbi Family Vision Research Center, the San Diego Airport, the Port of San Diego, San Diego Association of Governments, and the City of San Diego.

Arup’s office in San Diego opens as the firm marks noteworthy milestones: 80 years delivering work globally and 40 years since establishing its first regional office in San Francisco in 1985, growing to more than 2,000 professionals across 19 locations in the United States, Canada, and Colombia.

Expanding into San Diego? 

Learn how EDC can help →

Meet our 2026 San Diego Business Impact Awardees

By Kai Oliver-Kurtin, San Diego Magazine,

From clean energy and biotech, to beach bags and events, these San Diego companies are driving the region’s next wave of growth

Originally published in San Diego Magazine, authored by Kai Oliver-Kurtin

Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.

Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.

Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.

“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”

Building the infrastructure behind clean energy

Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”

The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.

Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”

Developing medicine one patient at a time

Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.

CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.

Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”

She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”

Powering San Diego’s special celebrations

While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.

“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”

Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”

Growing a beach-town brand into a national business

Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.

Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.

“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.

“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”

Picture credits: Matt Furman, San Diego Magazine

Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.

Meet the MetroConnect VIII companies!

By World Trade Center San Diego,

These 15 San Diego companies are going global

In February 2026, with Mayor Todd Gloria and underwriters Booz Allen Hamilton, JPMorganChase, and Qualcomm, World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) and San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network unveiled the eighth cohort of 15 companies selected to participate in MetroConnect, the region’s comprehensive international sales accelerator.

Since the program’s debut in 2015, 110 MetroConnect alumni have collectively added 357 new jobs to the region, signed more than 552 new contracts, and set up 28 new overseas facilities. Cohort companies grow their exports by an average of 66 percent and revenues by 45 percent as part of the program.

Alumni include Novo Brazil Brewing Co., Access Trax, Aquacycl, White Labs, Dr. Bronner’s, Scientist.com, Cloudbeds, Cypher Genomics (acquired by Human Longevity Inc.), and many more.

Meet the MetroConnect VIII companies:

  1. Activbody
  2. AquaPoro
  3. BlueNalu
  4. Commonlands
  5. FoxFury
  6. Gear Hugger
  7. Honest Medical
  8. HyperKelp
  9. MAKESafe Tools
  10. Mission Brewery
  11. Neet Sheets
  12. OPOTEK
  13. Precision Measurement Engineering
  14. Sipwell Wine Co.
  15. Tag-N-Trac

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, Booz Allen, JPMorganChase, SDSU’s Wendy Gillespie Center for Advancing Global Business, U.S. Commercial Service, and WTCSD.

“Since 2015, the City of San Diego has partnered with MetroConnect to help local companies compete and succeed in the global economy,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Programs like this connect San Diego businesses to new markets, support job creation here at home, and strengthen the innovation economy that powers our region. We’re committed to backing homegrown companies as they scale, export, and take San Diego’s ideas to the world.”

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 2024 alone, San Diego exported $34.5 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.

“JPMorganChase is proud to support San Diego businesses and their global growth,” said Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager, JPMorganChase. “MetroConnect has a strong track record of helping local companies drive increased revenue through effective export strategies, making them more competitive, efficient, and successful here at home. We’re proud to continue our commitment to supporting San Diego’s business community.”

Next up for MetroConnect VIII

The cohort will gain access to a suite of resources to support expansion into international markets, including executive workshops, mentorship and complimentary consulting from multinational corporations, and up to $30,000 in grant funding.

“The next few years present a key opportunity for San Diego businesses looking to build resilience in a shifting economic and trade landscape,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of WTCSD. “The MetroConnect program remains a dedicated partner to these businesses, equipping San Diego’s growing firms to compete in global markets, help our region’s innovation change lives around the world, and create quality jobs here at home.”

Looking to grow 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 growing company is ready to export and expand internationally, WTCSD is here to help.

Register your interest for the next cohort: MetroConnectSD.org

Interested in sponsoring MetroConnect? Contact Lucas Coleman at lc@sandiegobusiness.org.

WTCSD and San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network unveiled the new cohort at a community event at BCG San Diego. WTCSD is the Export Specialty SBDC for San Diego and Imperial Valley and works to cultivate a regional pipeline of export-ready firms.

Study: CA’s $125B fusion energy potential could support 40K jobs, power the future

By EDC Research Bureau,

In October 2025, San Diego Regional EDC released “Catalyzing CA’s Fusion Advantage: Roadmap to Commercialization,” an interactive web report quantifying the economic impact of California’s fusion energy industry and exploring its potential to support more than 40,000 jobs and $125 billion to the state economy.

With electricity demand rising and climate targets tightening, the world is facing an impending energy crisis. These challenges, combined with grid instability and geopolitical vulnerability, have underscored the need for groundbreaking commercial technologies, as well as coordinated policy and regulatory frameworks to harness the state’s full potential.

The same process that powers the sun, fusion energy has long been considered the “holy grail” of power: A clean, safe, and virtually limitless source of baseload electricity. It offers high power density, no carbon emissions, minimal and short-lived radioactive waste, no risk of meltdown, and 24/7 reliability.

California has already begun to establish itself as a global leader in the fusion energy industry. The presence of industry titans such as General Atomics and TAE Technologies, coupled with world-leading R&D institutes like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and UC San Diego’s fusion cluster, positions the state as one of the world’s most promising regions for fusion commercialization. These institutions also host two of the nation’s most significant fusion research facilities—General Atomics’ DIII-D, the only operational fusion user facility in the country, and LLNL’s National Ignition Facility, where the first successful ignition proved that fusion energy is possible.

“With the right support, California can lead the commercialization of fusion energy, capturing the economic benefits that come from it while reshaping the global energy landscape,” said Eduardo Velasquez, Sr. Director of Research and Economic Development at San Diego Regional EDC, the report’s author. “EDC’s report brings into focus the regions, firms, and talent currently driving the industry, as well as the opportunities and hurdles the state faces in scaling from fusion R&D hub to a production powerhouse.”

Informed by nearly two dozen executive interviews with fusion business leaders, academia, and local governance, the report—available at fusionCA.org—dives deep into current industry strengths, future growth scenarios, and policy recommendations needed to drive industry competitiveness in California.

KEY FINDINGS

  • California leads the nation in fusion energy development. The state boasts 16 core fusion companies—more than one-third of all U.S.-based fusion companies—and has captured more than $2.2 billion in cumulative private and public funding since tracking began.
  • The fusion industry already generates significant economic impact—with even more high-growth potential. Currently, fusion energy accounts for approximately 4,700 jobs across California and generates $1.4 billion in annual economic output. The industry has the potential to grow to between $48 billion and $125 billion, depending on successful commercialization and state policy decisions.
  • California excels in research but faces commercialization challenges. The state’s world-class universities, national laboratories, and private investment ecosystem position California as the global leader in fusion R&D. However, barriers such as regulatory uncertainty, high land costs, grid interconnection delays, and lack of fusion-specific policy frameworks threaten California’s ability to retain companies as they transition from R&D to commercial deployment.
  • Maintaining fusion leadership requires strategic policy measures and state support. Success depends on recognizing fusion as ‘clean energy’ under state law, establishing clear regulatory pathways, preparing appropriate sites for establishing commercial research centers and fusion energy plants, and creating coordinated policy support. Without decisive action, California risks losing fusion companies to other states offering more favorable commercialization conditions.

“As a leader in climate resilience, California has been at the cutting edge of energy transition strategies and innovation for decades. Now, as fusion presents such clear economic opportunity, our state must build a long-term policy roadmap that prioritizes and incentivizes research, commercialization, workforce development, and investment to further position us to lead in the global energy transition,” said California Senator Catherine Blakespear, Chair of the Environmental Quality Committee.

“We’re proud to play a key role in advancing fusion energy here in San Diego while collaborating with partners such as the State of California, the City of San Diego, the Department of Energy, the University of California system, and national laboratories,” said Anantha Krishnan, senior vice president for the General Atomics Energy Group. “To realize our region and state’s full potential, California companies will need financial incentives, regulatory support, and streamlined land-zoning processes. In addition, public-private collaborations to build test facilities and train the future fusion workforce will be critical to achieving success in commercializing fusion energy.”

The report was underwritten by General Atomics, with research contributions by Boston Consulting Group and sponsorship by B3K Prosperity, LLNL, Livermore Lab Foundation, Mintz, ML Strategies, and Tokamak Energy, and unveiled at a press conference and industry reception October 9. Congressman Scott Peters, Senator Catherine Blakespear, and other leaders across the state were in attendance.

READ THE FULL REPORT

EXPLORE MORE SAN DIEGO DATA

Rep. Peters, Mayor Gloria to lead France trade mission to strengthen economic ties with EU

By Bree Burris,

WORLD TRADE CENTER SAN DIEGO CONVENES REGIONAL LEADERS TO HELP SAN DIEGO BUSINESSES EXPAND GLOBALLY, CREATE LOCAL JOBS

In order to foster vital global economic partnerships, Congressman Scott Peters, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), the international team at San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), are leading a 2025 trade delegation to France. During the September 21–September 26 trade mission, business and civic leaders will promote the region’s key industries and seek to establish and strengthen business relationships across biotechnology, clean energy, maritime technologies, and tourism.

As geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, and supply chain realignments reshape the global economy, it is more important than ever for San Diego companies and institutions to strengthen ties with trusted partners in Europe. France—home to leading firms in aerospace, life sciences, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing—offers natural synergies with San Diego’s innovation-driven economy. This trade mission aims to open new pathways for collaboration, investment, and market access that will help San Diego businesses remain competitive and resilient in a complex international landscape.

“With years of enduring collaboration between France and the U.S., now is the time to reinforce our regional commitments on the world stage,” said Congressman Scott Peters. “I am eager to join WTCSD on the road—now for the fifth time—to strengthen our global collaboration, drive investments in innovation and R&D, and bolster public-private partnerships across critical industries.”

San Diego and France have shared expertise in knowledge-intensive industries, including biotechnology, aerospace and defense, and clean energy. France is San Diego’s third largest foreign investor, contributing $5.6 billion since 2014. Further, the country’s research institutions have built long-lasting relationships with San Diego’s premier universities including San Diego State University and UC San Diego. France is ranked third in Europe for R&D spending, with the Paris region ranking first worldwide for FDI in R&D and corporate projects.

Companies have also capitalized on these synchronicities. On the heels of its acquisition of San Diego-based Inhibrx, France’s largest life sciences company Sanofi announced its commitment to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. by 2030. French aerospace giant Safran also calls San Diego home, with aerospace jobs making up nearly one-fifth of the region’s innovation employment.

Boasting one of the cleanest energy grids in Europe and producing more than half of the European Union’s nuclear energy, France is also home to the ITER fusion energy project—the largest international scientific collaboration in the world. As the project aims to create fusion energy at power plant scale, San Diego-based General Atomics is one of its largest contributors, fabricating the world’s most powerful pulsed superconducting electromagnet for ITER.

“San Diego is an undeniable force in the global marketplace, and our future prosperity depends on strengthening those ties,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “From pandas returning to the Zoo to nonstop flights to Amsterdam to new tech jobs here at home, global engagement is delivering real results for San Diegans. I’m proud to continue this work alongside World Trade Center San Diego and Congressman Scott Peters, and to celebrate our new Sister City partnership with Marseille“

Over the five-day trade mission in Paris, Marseille, and Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, San Diego will look to build lasting institutional relationships and attract foreign investment in industries critical to the future.

Agenda items include:

  • The celebration of key partnerships including a new San Diego-Marseille Sister City Agreement; an MOU between life sciences trade organizations Eurobiomed and Biocom; and agreements for France’s Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique to place leading researchers at San Diego State University and UC San Diego.
  • Opportunities to showcase San Diego’s innovation economy and major regional development projects to foreign investors.
  • Ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, tours and meetings with the organizers of the Paris Olympics for a best-practices discussion on infrastructure, tourism, and economic development.
  • Meeting and tour of ITER, where General Atomics’ recently-completed central solenoid magnet will be housed—a significant accomplishment for San Diego and clean energy innovation.
  • Formal meetings with major entities with investment interests in both countries, including Sanofi, LVMH Group, Dentons, and the Port of Marseille.

“As the rules of global commerce continue to shift rapidly, San Diego firms of all sizes need strong partnerships to navigate this moment,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of World Trade Center San Diego and chief strategy officer at San Diego Regional EDC. “That’s why we lead trade missions as a region—with a diverse cross-sector delegation of both the region’s largest and smallest employers working together to find opportunity in uncertainty.”

Delegates will participate in upwards of 15 meetings over the course of the trade mission, sharing best practices and driving business connectivity across many verticals. The nearly three dozen San Diego delegates include representatives from ASML, Ambix Ventures, Cubic Transportation Systems, General Atomics, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and smaller businesses including French Bio Beach, GEN2X, and La Jolla Labs. Also in attendance are delegates from key agencies, academic institutions, and civic organizations such as the Port of San Diego, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, SoCal French American Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Tourism Authority, Biocom, San Diego State University, University of California Office of the President, UC San Diego, and others

The trade mission is organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international team at EDC, with assistance and support provided by the U.S. Embassy in France, the SoCal French-American Chamber of Commerce, and Dentons Paris, and sponsorship by Qualcomm, Ambix Ventures, General Atomics, and San Diego Tourism Authority.

Learn more about France and San Diego’s connection here, and follow along during the trade mission: #SDinFR. 

SD-FR data sheet

WTCSD has previously led trade missions to Singapore, South Korea, The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vancouver, and more.

About World Trade Center San Diego
World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) is the international team within San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). WTCSD works to further San Diego’s global competitiveness by building an export pipeline, attracting and retaining foreign investment, and increasing San Diego’s global profile abroad. WTCSD.org

For media queries or other questions, contact:

Bree Burris
Bree Burris

Sr. Director, Communications & Community Engagement

Aquacycl wins $25K MetroConnect export grand prize

By Bree Burris,

World Trade Center San Diego and 150+ voting audience award $25K for international expansion

World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD)—home of the region’s Export Small Business Development Center—named Aquacycl, which provides industrial wastewater treatment as a service to reduce costs and environmental impact, as the winner of the MetroConnect export accelerator program, now in its seventh year. Made possible through a grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co., Booz Allen Hamilton, and Deloitte, Aquacycl will use the $25,000 award to expand its presence in Europe and Mexico with its patented BETT system and micro-aeration solutions.

“In a volatile time for global trade, the results of MetroConnect’s seventh cohort are impressive and proof of the importance of international expansion for small- and mid-sized companies,” said Lucas Coleman, director of WTCSD. 

“Our Grand Prize winner Aquacycl embodies the strength of San Diego’s innovation economy, leveraging our excellence in clean technology on an international stage. Whether it’s streamlining customs processes, identifying, and securing reliable distributors, or cultivating leads in India, Turkey, and the UK amid economic uncertainty, we know that connectivity to international markets grows jobs and business resilience here at home.”

Escondido-based Aquacycl beat out three other finalists in MetroConnect VII, Epitope Diagnostics, Sunday Golf, and Surf Loch. The grand prize-winning company was decided via real-time audience vote during the Grand Prize PitchFest event June 5 at The Alexandria. Prior to this, a committee of senior international business leaders in San Diego helped the WTCSD team nominate these top performers, out of the initial 15-company cohort.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In seven years, MetroConnect has helped 110 local, small and mid-sized businesses generate a net increase of $106 million in international sales, 552 international contracts, and 28 overseas facilities. Cohort companies have seen on average 66 percent export growth and 45 percent revenue growth. This international growth has coincided with 357 new hires here in the San Diego region.

Each cohort year, WTCSD selects 15 export-ready small businesses to receive $5,000 export grants, access to executive workshops, translation software, travel perks with international airlines flying out of SAN, and a chance to win a $25,000 grand prize to aid in further international market expansion. Applications for year eight of the MetroConnect program are now open through August 1, 2025. Interested small- and medium-sized companies that are looking to pursue international sales as a near-term priority or already exporting its goods or services may apply here.

apply at MetroconnectSD.org

GLOBAL CONNECTION IN CHANGING TIMES

Changes at the federal level have drastically shifted the rhetoric around global trade, but the truth remains. According to The World Bank, countries that trade internationally enjoy more economic growth, are more innovative and productive, and can provide more opportunities to citizens. San Diego is no exception—regional small businesses that export tend to have a larger and more diversified customer base, pick up best practices from global competitors, build up economies of scale, and ultimately pay their employees more. Access to international customers and markets is essential in helping San Diego boost resilience, as small businesses employ nearly 60 percent of San Diegans.

”We’re incredibly honored to be named this year’s MetroConnect Grand Prize Winner,” said Orianna Bretschger, CEO and Founder at Aquacycl. “The program has been instrumental in accelerating our international growth strategy, helping us expand into new markets while navigating complex export logistics and regulations. This recognition validates the critical role water reuse and decentralized wastewater solutions play in building a more sustainable future.”

“For over a decade, JPMorgan Chase and MetroConnect have partnered to help San Diego businesses grow globally and innovate boldly,” said Aaron Ryan, Managing Director for San Diego Middle Market Banking at program underwriter JPMorgan Chase. “We’re living in a new era of uncertainty, and navigating complex global markets takes the right support. San Diego’s businesses are rising to the challenge, and we’re proud to help them seize opportunities on the world stage.”

WTCSD hosted its MetroConnect Grand Prize PitchFest on June 5, with remarks by Nikia Clarke, Executive Director, WTCSD; Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego; Andy Laats and Chad DiNenna, Co-founders, Nixon; and program underwriter Michael Monroe, Principal, Director of Data Science, Booz Allen, among others.

WTCSD maintains year-round support for global expansion through its Export Specialty Small Business Development Center and international trade missions.

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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

Voice of San Diego: How to set your child up for socio-economic success

By Taylor Dunne,

Originally authored by Taylor Dunne in Voice of San Diego’s ‘A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools’

Every parent wants to see their child pursue a career that makes them happy, and it is a bonus when they can feel confident that that career will also set them up for financial success.

In San Diego, one of the most dynamic economies in the world, there is abundant opportunity for high-impact careers and upward mobility—sometimes you just need to see it to believe it.

In my role as the director of talent initiatives for San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), I have devoted my career to improving the pathways from local education programs into high-wage, high-demand jobs across San Diego County. Here are some common questions I get asked about these efforts in our region.

Q: What is Career Technical Education?

According to the state of California’s Department of Education, Career Technical Education (CTE) is “a program of study that involves a multi-year sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to post-secondary education and careers.” Here in San Diego County, the board of education’s first goal speaks to CTE as a priority, stating that the public education system should aim to “connect the educational experience to the world of work, to guarantee all students graduate prepared for college, career, and beyond.”

CTE courses can fall into one of 15 industry categories, identified by the California State Board of Education. The courses can be standalone, or part of a multi-year series. Some of them also count toward A-G requirements, which must be completed for admission into a California public university.

Q: When should I start thinking about career pathways for my child?

CTE opportunities at school are a great time for students to begin thinking about prospective career paths. K-12 schools across the region offer these courses, and some have gone the extra mile to really set students up for success.

For example, the Chula Vista Elementary School District offers Innovation Stations where students learn about careers in life sciences, health, technology, and more. A portion of this experience includes local tech giant Qualcomm, which brings to life what the students are learning in the classroom.

Helix High School offers a biotechnology pathway that stacks courses for grades nine through 12. Kearny High Education Complex runs four small, unique schools, each focused on a critical industry, embedding CTE in students’ learning throughout their four years. These kinds of curriculum, coupled with internships, school clubs, and other opportunities, can offer students the chance to begin exploring what careers are available to them in San Diego and how they might begin preparing for those careers today.

In fact, employers agree that experience indicating a proven interest, like school clubs, extracurricular activities, and elected courses like those available through CTE pathways, rise above other qualifications in roles like computing and engineering. Candidates with less formal training that can articulate how they have independently pursued opportunities are more appealing than those who are fully trained but disinterested.

On the other hand, these opportunities can also help young people weed out the careers they do not want during these formative years, before they invest time and money into further training.

Q: What are the jobs of tomorrow?

Looking ahead, future jobs are technical in nature, and they’re in industries like technology (especially with the rapid development of artificial intelligence), healthcare, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. We also anticipate alternative energy will continue to climb that list. Increasingly, these jobs require some sort of post-secondary training.

Everything from trade schools to four-year degrees and beyond become critical for preparing students to take on those roles into the future. In fact, over 100,000 more jobs require a post-secondary degree today as compared to just eight years ago. Luckily, they are also some of the highest paying in our region. We see growth in jobs that pay salaries of upwards to $149,000 per year.

So, what does that mean for San Diego’s future talent and local companies?

It means that community college, trade school, and university classrooms need to be accessible to all San Diego students regardless of economic status or family history. This economic growth, combined with a declining population, means that companies cannot continue to rely on traditional recruitment patterns like sourcing from elite universities, and instead must consider additional channels.

Working age population vs. jobs over 10 years:

In fact, to keep pace with the economy, the San Diego region will need to double the number of people receiving a post-secondary education by 2030.

Q: What tools and resources are available?

EDC is excited to have been able to help bring a new distinction to this year’s version of Voice of San Diego’s A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools. You can look for the labor market score for schools offering Career and Technical Education programs. Additionally, parents can explore local learning opportunities in relevant fields at the San Diego STEM Ecosystem’s web directory, which includes a filter for cost-free options.

READ THE PARENT’S GUIDE

Finally, our organization offers resources that can help parents connect with the local economy and industry-vetted training programs:

  • Explore EDC’s Talent Dashboard where you can access more real-time local data, like what is shared above, to help with understanding the future of jobs in San Diego.
  • Check out Advancing San Diego’s Verified Programs. These are post-secondary training programs across the region that have been vetted by local companies for teaching the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow while also reaching and serving a diverse student population. In receiving this status, Verified Programs open opportunities for students to access paid internships and other critical work-based learning experiences.
  • Learn more and get involved in EDC’s Talent Initiatives. Contact our team today:
Contact SDREDC
To learn more, please contact us.

This story was first published by Voice of San Diego. Sign up for VOSD’s newsletters here.

Study: San Diego’s $47B Manufacturing sector supports 121K jobs, a third of which are in small businesses

By EDC Research Bureau,

This week, San Diego Regional EDC released “Manufacturing in San Diego: Local Impact, Global Reach,” which quantifies the economic impact of the region’s Manufacturing sector and explores the firms, innovation clusters, and talent building and creating the goods and technologies of the future.

While federal priorities shift to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, prioritizing the resilience and competitiveness of San Diego’s Manufacturing sector is key. In fact, over the last five years local manufacturing firm growth has outpaced that of California and the U.S. at large. The Manufacturing sector not only creates jobs and fosters innovation across key industries in our binational region, but it ensures a stable supply of essential goods and technologies.

“As is always our mission, this report aims to provide actionable insight for regional decision makers with data and guidance needed to preserve and enhance San Diego’s competitiveness in the global economy. Manufacturing is core to San Diego’s innovation identity, offering onramps to quality jobs, and will need coordinated support to sustain growth,” said Eduardo Velasquez, Sr. Director of Research & Economic Development at San Diego Regional EDC, the report’s author.

Released as part of National Manufacturing Month, the interactive web report includes a deep dive on the $47 billion Manufacturing sector, and includes company profiles, a metro-by-metro comparison, and a set of recommendations for better supporting manufacturers in a costly and highly regulated environment.

KEY report FINDINGS

  • San Diego’s Manufacturing sector is a significant part of the regional economy. There are 121,027 jobs supported by 4,429 establishments tied to the Manufacturing sector. This means that manufacturing employment accounts for nearly one in 10 private sector jobs across the region. Altogether, this amounts to a $47 billion regional economic impact annually.
  • Manufacturing jobs are high-paying and increasingly accessible. Average annual wages are more than $103,000, which is 31 percent higher than the region’s average. The proportion of manufacturing jobs not requiring higher education continues to rise, opening opportunities to a wider range of candidates.
  • Growth in the sector is driven by small businesses. More than one-third of the manufacturing workforce is employed by a small business, with fewer than 100 employees. Nearly nine in 10 manufacturers employ fewer than 50 employees.
  • Manufacturing is tied to innovation. San Diego manufacturing encompasses industry verticals from Consumer Goods and Craft Beer to Life Sciences, Technology, and Aerospace. Innovation-related industries make up 46 percent of all manufacturing employment in the region.
  • High cost of living and operational challenges hinder the sector’s growth. Success stems from companies finding unique pathways to grow and expand. However, a high cost of living, limited space, and higher operational costs in San Diego pose challenges for attracting and retaining manufacturers and their workers.

Manufacturing in San Diego is made up of world-class brands and consumer goods like Taylor Guitars, Dr. Bronner’s soaps, and Stone Brewing’s IPAs. Yet San Diego’s Manufacturing sector also has a strong tie to the region’s innovation ecosystem—producing everything from satellite navigation equipment to genome sequencers. In fact, San Diego’s innovation manufacturing employment concentration is more than double the national average.

“San Diego brings something special beyond biotech innovation—it’s the collaborative spirit and vibrant energy here that truly enhance what we create,” said David Arida, COO at Biolinq, a San Diego startup focused on developing biowearable sensor devices.

However, the region’s high cost of living, expensive and hard-to-come-by real estate, and higher operational costs pose challenges for attracting and retaining talent and manufactures alike. Even more, San Diego ranks low in ease of doing business compared to competitor regions, which can impact company decisions on where to locate or expand operations.

“As EDC’s report demonstrates, it is critical that our region commits to cultivating talent and catalyzing innovation, as well as investing in critical infrastructure and easy-to-navigate policy frameworks to better support local manufacturers. In Carlsbad, we are dedicated to strengthening our manufacturing community by fostering collaboration and ensuring businesses have the resources needed to succeed. From streamlining processes to providing access to new opportunities, we are committed to making Carlsbad a hub for innovation and sustainable growth in manufacturing,” said City of Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn.

The report was sponsored by the City of Carlsbad, CMTC, County of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority, and Walmart, and was unveiled October 30 at an industry event together with Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn and San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo.

SEE THE FULL REPORT

LEARN MORE ABOUT MANUFACTURING IN SAN DIEGO

Plus, explore our Spotlight on Manufacturing series

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.