March is a big month for innovation in San Diego. The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering and the Ignite @ UC San Diego conference are both making their return. The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, will run March 3-11 at various locations around the city. The second annual Ignite conference will bring together investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and others from the Cali-Baja region March 6-7 at UC San Diego’s Price Center. Take a look at some of the exciting events taking place over the next couple weeks:
More than 130 exhibitors from local schools, libraries, businesses, and other agencies will take over Petco Park as the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering gets underway with Expo Day, its signature event. Expect hands-on activities and fun STEM-focused events, along with innovative ideas from young minds presented by TEDx Kids@ElCajon.
Festival week continues through March 11 with events peppered throughout the city. The Logan Heights Branch Library will host STEM in Your Backyard: Barrio Logan March 7 and a similar event focusing on the South Bay is set for March 9 at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista. The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum will feature engineering events geared toward the pre-K crowd throughout the week. Women in STEM will be celebrated at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library in conjunction with International Women’s Day March 8.
Although the festival’s goal is to get kids interested in science, there’s also room for some adults-only fun. Biocom is hosting a 21 and up networking event called Think, Drink, Science at Cutwater Spirits on the evening of March 7.
UC San Diego is opening its doors March 6-7 to hundreds of investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and university officials. On this year’s Ignite @ UC San Diego agenda are three competitions where entrepreneurs can pitch their ideas to seasoned pros. There’s also a startup fair featuring about 30 companies, and a handful of educational sessions like “So You’re Not a Techie? Business is Booming Outside the Tech World” and “Planning for World Domination: Regional Strategies and Best Practices.”
Keynote speakers for the event include Kimberly Kovacs, the first woman elected to the board of directors for startup accelerator OCTANE; Ashbin Bachireddy, founding partner of Silicon Valley VC firm Geodesic Capital; and social innovator and actor, Todd Grinnell.
“Ignite @ UC San Diego moves us forward by opening the doors to regional collaboration among young talent and experienced entrepreneurs,” Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla said.
Thanks Hatch & Sarah! I’m the conference chair and I’d love to have you join Ignite and check out the 70+ Cali-Baja companies being showcased along with the great content delivered by more than 100 speakers, mentors and judges!
We have media passes available and my team would be happy to help direct you to some of the most interesting companies and content.