{"id":911,"date":"2024-07-08T22:34:37","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T22:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/connect.org\/?page_id=911"},"modified":"2025-10-05T15:45:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T22:45:05","slug":"cool-companies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/connect.org\/cool-companies\/","title":{"rendered":"Cool Companies"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"911\" class=\"elementor elementor-911\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d60241b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2d60241b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;opacity-fan&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 283.5 19.6\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" style=\"opacity:0.33\" d=\"M0 0L0 18.8 141.8 4.1 283.5 18.8 283.5 0z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" style=\"opacity:0.33\" d=\"M0 0L0 12.6 141.8 4 283.5 12.6 283.5 0z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" style=\"opacity:0.33\" d=\"M0 0L0 6.4 141.8 4 283.5 6.4 283.5 0z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M0 0L0 1.2 141.8 4 283.5 1.2 283.5 0z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d2f9f0f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d2f9f0f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d08d058 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d08d058\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e9bcf2 elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"33e9bcf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cool Companies<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-265119ae elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"265119ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The fastest-growing, most exciting startups in SoCal<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-859a643 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"859a643\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/class-of-2025-cool-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Meet the Companies<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74f3b71 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"74f3b71\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1761c9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f1761c9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eafc691 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"eafc691\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-shrink\" href=\"#highlights\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Program Highlights<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54fee09 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"54fee09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-shrink\" href=\"#alumni\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Our Companies<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7620d99 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"7620d99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-shrink\" href=\"#faqs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">FAQs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2253ba elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f2253ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-shrink\" href=\"#contact\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29ac3c4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"29ac3c4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c652704 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c652704\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edb885b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"edb885b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/CC-General.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1590\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/CC-General.png 700w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/CC-General-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/CC-General-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fe91be e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1fe91be\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-599d9e2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"599d9e2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Cool Companies is Connect\u2019s annual capital program designed to match <b>San Diego\u2019s top-performing technology and life sciences startups<\/b>, ready to raise Series A, with quality venture capital.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8635789 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8635789\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/class-of-2025-cool-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">View Companies<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4db7b6f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4db7b6f\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"highlights\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11bc1ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11bc1ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Program Highlights<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65c4af3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65c4af3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf52a4d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf52a4d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a79afa3 elementor-view-stacked elementor-shape-square elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"a79afa3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-users\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M96 224c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64s-28.7-64-64-64-64 28.7-64 64 28.7 64 64 64zm448 0c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64s-28.7-64-64-64-64 28.7-64 64 28.7 64 64 64zm32 32h-64c-17.6 0-33.5 7.1-45.1 18.6 40.3 22.1 68.9 62 75.1 109.4h66c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32v-32c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64zm-256 0c61.9 0 112-50.1 112-112S381.9 32 320 32 208 82.1 208 144s50.1 112 112 112zm76.8 32h-8.3c-20.8 10-43.9 16-68.5 16s-47.6-6-68.5-16h-8.3C179.6 288 128 339.6 128 403.2V432c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h288c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48v-28.8c0-63.6-51.6-115.2-115.2-115.2zm-223.7-13.4C161.5 263.1 145.6 256 128 256H64c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64v32c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h65.9c6.3-47.4 34.9-87.3 75.2-109.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConnect with Vetted VCs\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNetwork in-person with 150+ vetted VCs and receive strategic introductions year-round.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82e2513 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"82e2513\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8526737 elementor-view-stacked elementor-shape-square elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"8526737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M336.5 160C322 70.7 287.8 8 248 8s-74 62.7-88.5 152h177zM152 256c0 22.2 1.2 43.5 3.3 64h185.3c2.1-20.5 3.3-41.8 3.3-64s-1.2-43.5-3.3-64H155.3c-2.1 20.5-3.3 41.8-3.3 64zm324.7-96c-28.6-67.9-86.5-120.4-158-141.6 24.4 33.8 41.2 84.7 50 141.6h108zM177.2 18.4C105.8 39.6 47.8 92.1 19.3 160h108c8.7-56.9 25.5-107.8 49.9-141.6zM487.4 192H372.7c2.1 21 3.3 42.5 3.3 64s-1.2 43-3.3 64h114.6c5.5-20.5 8.6-41.8 8.6-64s-3.1-43.5-8.5-64zM120 256c0-21.5 1.2-43 3.3-64H8.6C3.2 212.5 0 233.8 0 256s3.2 43.5 8.6 64h114.6c-2-21-3.2-42.5-3.2-64zm39.5 96c14.5 89.3 48.7 152 88.5 152s74-62.7 88.5-152h-177zm159.3 141.6c71.4-21.2 129.4-73.7 158-141.6h-108c-8.8 56.9-25.6 107.8-50 141.6zM19.3 352c28.6 67.9 86.5 120.4 158 141.6-24.4-33.8-41.2-84.7-50-141.6h-108z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand Your Network\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAccess San Diego\u2019s premier network of entrepreneurs and trailblazers.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b88a2b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2b88a2b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b7dada elementor-view-stacked elementor-shape-square elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"9b7dada\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-handshake\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M434.7 64h-85.9c-8 0-15.7 3-21.6 8.4l-98.3 90c-.1.1-.2.3-.3.4-16.6 15.6-16.3 40.5-2.1 56 12.7 13.9 39.4 17.6 56.1 2.7.1-.1.3-.1.4-.2l79.9-73.2c6.5-5.9 16.7-5.5 22.6 1 6 6.5 5.5 16.6-1 22.6l-26.1 23.9L504 313.8c2.9 2.4 5.5 5 7.9 7.7V128l-54.6-54.6c-5.9-6-14.1-9.4-22.6-9.4zM544 128.2v223.9c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h64V128.2h-96zm48 223.9c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16zM0 384h64c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V128.2H0V384zm48-63.9c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16-16-7.2-16-16c0-8.9 7.2-16 16-16zm435.9 18.6L334.6 217.5l-30 27.5c-29.7 27.1-75.2 24.5-101.7-4.4-26.9-29.4-24.8-74.9 4.4-101.7L289.1 64h-83.8c-8.5 0-16.6 3.4-22.6 9.4L128 128v223.9h18.3l90.5 81.9c27.4 22.3 67.7 18.1 90-9.3l.2-.2 17.9 15.5c15.9 13 39.4 10.5 52.3-5.4l31.4-38.6 5.4 4.4c13.7 11.1 33.9 9.1 45-4.7l9.5-11.7c11.2-13.8 9.1-33.9-4.6-45.1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMeet with Top-Tier Advisors\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReceive guidance from top-tier advisors for all business needs.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fb3d28 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1fb3d28\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-634eed7 elementor-view-stacked elementor-shape-square elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"634eed7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-award\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M97.12 362.63c-8.69-8.69-4.16-6.24-25.12-11.85-9.51-2.55-17.87-7.45-25.43-13.32L1.2 448.7c-4.39 10.77 3.81 22.47 15.43 22.03l52.69-2.01L105.56 507c8 8.44 22.04 5.81 26.43-4.96l52.05-127.62c-10.84 6.04-22.87 9.58-35.31 9.58-19.5 0-37.82-7.59-51.61-21.37zM382.8 448.7l-45.37-111.24c-7.56 5.88-15.92 10.77-25.43 13.32-21.07 5.64-16.45 3.18-25.12 11.85-13.79 13.78-32.12 21.37-51.62 21.37-12.44 0-24.47-3.55-35.31-9.58L252 502.04c4.39 10.77 18.44 13.4 26.43 4.96l36.25-38.28 52.69 2.01c11.62.44 19.82-11.27 15.43-22.03zM263 340c15.28-15.55 17.03-14.21 38.79-20.14 13.89-3.79 24.75-14.84 28.47-28.98 7.48-28.4 5.54-24.97 25.95-45.75 10.17-10.35 14.14-25.44 10.42-39.58-7.47-28.38-7.48-24.42 0-52.83 3.72-14.14-.25-29.23-10.42-39.58-20.41-20.78-18.47-17.36-25.95-45.75-3.72-14.14-14.58-25.19-28.47-28.98-27.88-7.61-24.52-5.62-44.95-26.41-10.17-10.35-25-14.4-38.89-10.61-27.87 7.6-23.98 7.61-51.9 0-13.89-3.79-28.72.25-38.89 10.61-20.41 20.78-17.05 18.8-44.94 26.41-13.89 3.79-24.75 14.84-28.47 28.98-7.47 28.39-5.54 24.97-25.95 45.75-10.17 10.35-14.15 25.44-10.42 39.58 7.47 28.36 7.48 24.4 0 52.82-3.72 14.14.25 29.23 10.42 39.59 20.41 20.78 18.47 17.35 25.95 45.75 3.72 14.14 14.58 25.19 28.47 28.98C104.6 325.96 106.27 325 121 340c13.23 13.47 33.84 15.88 49.74 5.82a39.676 39.676 0 0 1 42.53 0c15.89 10.06 36.5 7.65 49.73-5.82zM97.66 175.96c0-53.03 42.24-96.02 94.34-96.02s94.34 42.99 94.34 96.02-42.24 96.02-94.34 96.02-94.34-42.99-94.34-96.02z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReceive Public Recognition\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGain public recognition as one of Southern California\u2019s most exciting startups.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efec871 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"efec871\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd5b042 elementor-view-stacked elementor-shape-square elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"fd5b042\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-id-badge\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M336 0H48C21.5 0 0 21.5 0 48v416c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h288c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V48c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48zM144 32h96c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16h-96c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16zm48 128c35.3 0 64 28.7 64 64s-28.7 64-64 64-64-28.7-64-64 28.7-64 64-64zm112 236.8c0 10.6-10 19.2-22.4 19.2H102.4C90 416 80 407.4 80 396.8v-19.2c0-31.8 30.1-57.6 67.2-57.6h5c12.3 5.1 25.7 8 39.8 8s27.6-2.9 39.8-8h5c37.1 0 67.2 25.8 67.2 57.6v19.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExhibit at Exclusive Events\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tShowcase at top venues in San Diego.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-029849c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"029849c\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"alumni\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d222fa6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d222fa6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Companies<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a399301 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a399301\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b4436b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2b4436b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff34d19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"ff34d19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">$<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"900\" data-from-value=\"0\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">M<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78b3902 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"78b3902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Series A Raised<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ea0970 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ea0970\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Since 2015<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-339d31c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"339d31c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c319bb0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c319bb0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a7a8cd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a7a8cd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e60974 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2e60974\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/drata.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/drata-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2529\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/drata-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/drata-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/drata.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b860587 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b860587\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44d34a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"44d34a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cloudbeds.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cloudbeds-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2528\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cloudbeds-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cloudbeds-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cloudbeds.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69ed67a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"69ed67a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc2136d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fc2136d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/seismic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/seismic-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2532\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/seismic-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/seismic-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/seismic.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fe21be e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3fe21be\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccaa358 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ccaa358\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/carlsmed.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Carlsmed-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-642046\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Carlsmed-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Carlsmed-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Carlsmed.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6a52f6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d6a52f6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d358dc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d358dc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/trustandwill.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/TW-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-645139\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/TW-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/TW-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/TW.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d860ab e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d860ab\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a778145 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a778145\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.soci.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Soci-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-645138\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Soci-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Soci-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Soci.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dde32e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8dde32e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0555925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0555925\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/concerthealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Concert-Health-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-645141\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Concert-Health-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Concert-Health-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Concert-Health.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13229b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13229b3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59115a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"59115a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/truvianhealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Truvian-300x300.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-645140\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Truvian-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Truvian-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Truvian.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f635168 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f635168\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/cool-companies\/all-cool-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">View All Companies<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c27faf4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c27faf4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96907b7 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"96907b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Founder Insights<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca654a9 elementor-testimonial--tablet-align-center elementor-testimonial--skin-default elementor-testimonial--layout-image_inline elementor-testimonial--align-center elementor-arrows-yes elementor-pagination-type-bullets elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial-carousel\" data-id=\"ca654a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:10000,&quot;show_arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-main-swiper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Slides\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"To all the founders out there - DO THIS!!! Being a 2019 and 2020 Cool Company changed Daasity forever. It introduced us to Jeff Bocan, who led our Seed Series and to our Series A announcement. It was the best decision ever made. San Diego is an amazing place to start a company when you have people like Connect here making this a great place for startups.\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Dan-LeBlanc.png\" alt=\"Dan LeBlanc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Dan LeBlanc<\/span><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__title\">Co-Founder & CEO<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Connect is a goldmine of startup networking in San Diego. Their events are extremely well-attended and Connect's passion for growing the startup venture funding landscape is unparalleled. It is a privilege and honor to be a Cool Company and have access to their resources!\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rupak-Doshi.png\" alt=\"Rupak Doshi\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Rupak Doshi<\/span><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__title\">Co-Founder & CEO<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Being named a Cool Company for the Class of 2021 not only gave us an enormous sense of pride in the mission we are undertaking, but gave us the gravitas and credibility when reaching out to potential partners and funding sources. San Diego is a well known \u201chot-bed\u201d of cutting edge science and being selected as one of the most promising biotechs in the area by an esteemed panel of experts will always be a badge of honor.\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Gary-Choy.png\" alt=\"Gary Choy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Gary Choy<\/span><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__title\">Co-Founder & CEO<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"XILO has been part of Cool Companies for two years and we couldn't be happier with the accolade and program. San Diego is a growing tech market and being part of Cool Companies helped us stick out to VCs, talent, and advisors in our area. I also love the events that are thrown; they help bring San Diego together around what will be the future of the business community here.\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Jon-Corrin.png\" alt=\"Jon Corrin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Jon Corrin<\/span><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__title\">Co-Founder & CEO<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2180f5a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2180f5a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4117f19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4117f19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Thank You to Our Sponsors<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7266ee e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c7266ee\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad345a0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ad345a0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-faf6912 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"faf6912\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Perkins-Coie-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-645954\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Perkins-Coie-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Perkins-Coie-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Perkins-Coie.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26c2f47 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26c2f47\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f657fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8f657fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Marsh-300x213.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-1003\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Marsh-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Marsh-1024x725.png 1024w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Marsh-768x544.png 768w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Marsh.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9739a28 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9739a28\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02e61b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"02e61b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Procopio-300x213.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-1009\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Procopio-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Procopio-1024x725.png 1024w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Procopio-768x544.png 768w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Procopio.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a7ff1f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5a7ff1f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e50105a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e50105a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Banc-of-CA-300x213.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-1010\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Banc-of-CA-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Banc-of-CA-1024x725.png 1024w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Banc-of-CA-768x544.png 768w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Banc-of-CA.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76fad77 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"76fad77\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb3448f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cb3448f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4129a5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4129a5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-646708\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9.png 500w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daac70a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"daac70a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Connect is part of the San Diego &amp; Imperial SBDC Network, serving entrepreneurs and small businesses with low to no-cost services to support business growth.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-556f819 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"556f819\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32a8f57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"32a8f57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-646709\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10.png 500w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4f1c12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4f1c12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Funded in part through a Grant with the Governor\u2019s Office of Business and Economic Development.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1961f9b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1961f9b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffbbcc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ffbbcc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-646710\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11.png 500w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/connect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d27a1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d27a1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cbc4c43 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4cbc4c43\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"faqs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e7d252 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2e7d252\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dcc55f elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"4dcc55f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8150\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8150\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Who should apply? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8150\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b60ebbb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b60ebbb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfce8a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bfce8a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">We\u2019re looking for companies that are gearing up to raise their first round of institutional funding within the next 6 to 12 months across all industry verticals in the tech, life sciences, and consumer fields.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8151\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8151\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Do I have to be a San Diego-based company? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8151\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4080b49 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4080b49\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e48f243 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e48f243\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The goal of Cool Companies is to help elevate the stature of our local innovation economy. While there have been Cool Companies selected from Utah, Arizona, and even Mexico, the bar is admittedly a little higher for companies outside of Southern California.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8152\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8152\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What can a company expect from the program, and what does Connect expect from Cool Companies? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8152\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8d6a41 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a8d6a41\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f4afb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f4afb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We want to get to know you and better understand your business so that we can find the right investors, partners, and supporters for you and your team. There will be mandatory events, advising sessions, and regular touch points throughout the year. You can look forward to a world-class investor networking event, a peer-to-peer networking event, a public showcase, and opportunities to speak with industry experts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8153\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8153\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What VCs do you reach out to? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8153\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c91b4b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c91b4b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cf6d59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3cf6d59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Throughout the year, we keep in touch with hundreds of VCs across the country and a few from around the world. This yearly selection of companies helps us stay up-to-date with what\u2019s on the rise in San Diego so that we can share SD&#8217;s best and brightest with investors everywhere.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8154\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8154\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How do you do all this for free? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8154\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c41c050 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c41c050\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ee63f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ee63f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our generous sponsors and grantors enable our nonprofit to provide free and subsidized resources to entrepreneurs like you. So if you have a chance, thank a Cool Company sponsor\u2014Perkins Coie, Marsh McLennan, Banc of California, and Procopio\u2014for providing fiscal and industry support at a time when it is needed more than ever.<\/p><p>We are an official Small Business Development Center (SBDC), allowing us to offer services for free to startup businesses, and part of the San Diego &amp; Imperial SBDC Network. We are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration and in part through a grant with the Governor\u2019s Office of Business and Economic Development.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8155\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"6\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8155\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Can I re-apply if I\u2019ve been a Cool Company in the past? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8155\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96dd2ad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"96dd2ad\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03f0815 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03f0815\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Absolutely! Some companies have been Cool Companies in back-to-back years.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8156\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"7\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8156\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What are the key criteria you consider for selection? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8156\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcf6da5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bcf6da5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f52ace9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f52ace9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There is no &#8220;grading system.&#8221; We believe it\u2019s both art and science. Do you need to have key metrics? Of course, but every company is different, with varying industries, markets, stages of development, and management. We do our best to select companies across multiple verticals that we believe will be of interest to VCs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-8157\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"8\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-8157\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What happens if I\u2019m not selected this year? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-8157\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-867e5d9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"867e5d9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2be726b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2be726b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We still want to help! If you\u2019re not at the right stage for Cool Companies, we have other programs to help get your company there. Check out our year-round <a href=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/springboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Springboard program<\/a>, our workshop and educational series called Frameworks, and Office Hours for free one-on-one assistance.<\/p><p>Many Cool Companies are not selected the first year they apply. We still want to get to know you. We regularly help companies at various stages of growth with more than just connections to capital.<\/p><p>You only get to make a first impression with a VC once, and we want you to be ready for that meeting.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Who should apply?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"We\\u2019re looking for companies that are gearing up to raise their first round of institutional funding within the next 6 to 12 months across all industry verticals in the tech, life sciences, and consumer fields.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do I have to be a San Diego-based company?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The goal of Cool Companies is to help elevate the stature of our local innovation economy. While there have been Cool Companies selected from Utah, Arizona, and even Mexico, the bar is admittedly a little higher for companies outside of Southern California.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What can a company expect from the program, and what does Connect expect from Cool Companies?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"We want to get to know you and better understand your business so that we can find the right investors, partners, and supporters for you and your team. There will be mandatory events, advising sessions, and regular touch points throughout the year. You can look forward to a world-class investor networking event, a peer-to-peer networking event, a public showcase, and opportunities to speak with industry experts.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What VCs do you reach out to?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Throughout the year, we keep in touch with hundreds of VCs across the country and a few from around the world. This yearly selection of companies helps us stay up-to-date with what\\u2019s on the rise in San Diego so that we can share SD&#8217;s best and brightest with investors everywhere.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you do all this for free?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Our generous sponsors and grantors enable our nonprofit to provide free and subsidized resources to entrepreneurs like you. So if you have a chance, thank a Cool Company sponsor\\u2014Perkins Coie, Marsh McLennan, Banc of California, and Procopio\\u2014for providing fiscal and industry support at a time when it is needed more than ever.We are an official Small Business Development Center (SBDC), allowing us to offer services for free to startup businesses, and part of the San Diego &amp; Imperial SBDC Network. We are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration and in part through a grant with the Governor\\u2019s Office of Business and Economic Development.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I re-apply if I\\u2019ve been a Cool Company in the past?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Absolutely! Some companies have been Cool Companies in back-to-back years.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the key criteria you consider for selection?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"There is no &#8220;grading system.&#8221; We believe it\\u2019s both art and science. Do you need to have key metrics? Of course, but every company is different, with varying industries, markets, stages of development, and management. We do our best to select companies across multiple verticals that we believe will be of interest to VCs.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What happens if I\\u2019m not selected this year?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"We still want to help! If you\\u2019re not at the right stage for Cool Companies, we have other programs to help get your company there. Check out our year-round Springboard program, our workshop and educational series called Frameworks, and Office Hours for free one-on-one assistance.Many Cool Companies are not selected the first year they apply. We still want to get to know you. We regularly help companies at various stages of growth with more than just connections to capital.You only get to make a first impression with a VC once, and we want you to be ready for that meeting.\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04efd88 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"04efd88\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"contact\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef4484e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ef4484e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a021e79 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a021e79\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2f527a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a2f527a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Questions?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6924c8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6924c8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To learn more about the Cool Companies program, click below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4793239 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4793239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appZKWnDMpwXhQSNU\/shrefQjvBjcC808gL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cool Companies The fastest-growing, most exciting startups in SoCal Meet the Companies Program Highlights Our Companies FAQs Contact Us Cool Companies is Connect\u2019s annual capital program designed to match San Diego\u2019s top-performing technology and life sciences startups, ready to raise Series A, with quality venture capital. View Companies Program Highlights Connect with Vetted VCs Network [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":645196,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-911","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cool Companies - Connect Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/connect.org\/cool-companies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cool Companies - Connect Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Cool Companies The fastest-growing, most exciting startups in SoCal Meet the Companies Program Highlights Our Companies FAQs Contact Us Cool Companies is Connect\u2019s annual capital program designed to match San Diego\u2019s top-performing technology and life sciences startups, ready to raise Series A, with quality venture capital. 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