Note: This column has previously been focused on startup news and happenings in downtown San Diego. I am excited this week to expand the focus to cover the exciting happenings in the startup ecosystem from Carlsbad down to Tijuana.

Follow the Money

Tealium, a local website data management company, has brought in another $35 million in venture funding to continue the company’s growth. It is not well-known that San Diego is home to some major international marketing companies. But while you may not know their names, you definitely know the names of their customers. Tealium boasts more than 700 customers, including L.L. Bean, Munchkins, U.S. Airways, Nokia, ProFlowers, Dominos, and Petco.

A New Metaverse is Coming to San Diego

Former MySpace Music CTO and Google Group Product Manager Dmitry Shapiro is headed to San Diego to launch a new startup, GoMeta. Shapiro told Variety, “The future will be augmented. The Metaverse is a democracy. I’m with Her.” What the political undertone actually means is yet to be seen. What is certain is that Shapiro’s return to San Diego has certainly caused some positive buzz in the startup community here. It is considered a big get for the community to have someone at Shapiro’s level return to start a company here, and just another bragging point in the growing list of reasons why San Diego is becoming a go-to location to build a startup business.

Startup SD New Status and Big Vision

Armed with a new non-profit status, the local startup support organization Startup San Diego has a big vision for growing the strength of the startup ecosystem in San Diego, as well as increasing the impact of their events and activities. They announced their new status at a community meeting last Thursday where they offered opportunities for people to get involved and integrated. Startup San Diego Board Member Fabrice Gould said the formal structure “allows Startup SD to grow in the ways we want to and serve the ecosystem much better.”

Chargers Aren’t the Only Ones Looking at Los Angeles

Local marketing startup Wrapify has landed a deal with Anheuser-Busch to help market Bud Light at the Los Angeles Rams’ home games. The company’s model centers on getting individuals to drive cars wrapped in advertisement at events. The cars in LA will be wrapped in a Rams-specific ad using the tagline, “A Can Always Finds Its Way Home.”

A New Take on Tourism

ResortPass has helped hotels figure out a way to monetize their resort assets by creating revenue from customers that are not staying at the hotel. You can book a day at a hotel to enjoy their pool, spa, fitness center, and activities online. Currently, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara are available for booking. The company is a finalist in the Tech Coast Angels Quick Pitch event in early October.

Pivots and Opportunities

San Diego Venture Group is now taking applications for their annual Pitch Fest that takes place in December. Deadline is October 21.

Be There or Be…

• Connect with CONNECT – Innovation Showcase
  September 29, 5-7 p.m., 4790 Eastgate Mall, Suite 125
• San Diego Zoo Hackathon
  October 7-9, Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido
  The San Diego Zoo is hoping to enlist the wisdom of creative technical community to help stop wildlife trafficking.
• Tech Coast Angels Quick Pitch
  October 6, 6-9 p.m., Qualcomm
  See companies such as Braykion, CaddySnack, CourseKey, industry, Librede, and ResortPass make their pitches.
• 6 Degrees Career Accelerator Series – Social Media
  October 11, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., DeskHub, 2159 India, 2nd Floor
  Sabrina Cadini from La Dolce Idea will be talking about social media and how to utilize it to the best of its ability.

Tags: Blogs, Startup Buzz