Todd Baur, CEO of Baur Software - 1st Mondays Mini Podcast

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Todd Baur, CEO of Baur Software – 1st Mondays Mini Podcast

Posted: August 24, 2026

By Ella Napata

In this episode of the Startup San Diego 1st Mondays Mini Podcast, we catch up with Todd Baur, CEO of Baur Software. A familiar face at Startup San Diego events, Todd shares what he’s building, why community matters more than pitching, and the messaging challenge he’s working through as a founder.

Quick Summary

Building two products aimed at the future of the web: Baur Software is developing Chrysalis, a zero-trust security platform that saves companies money on coding tasks, and Papillon, a personal assistant built as a browser for the future of the web.
A regular in the Startup San Diego community: Todd has attended multiple Startup San Diego events and has long volunteered and supported the ecosystem, valuing it as one of the most welcoming startup communities he’s experienced.
Community over pitching: Todd emphasizes that the real value of events like 1st Mondays isn’t pitching your company, it’s building relationships and finding value in second- and third-degree connections, often outside the event itself.
San Diego’s accessibility stands out: Compared to the LA startup scene he’s more used to, Todd highlights how accessible people in San Diego’s ecosystem are, and how quickly the community can help solve a problem if you’re willing to dive in.
The biggest challenge: market misconceptions: Todd’s current struggle is refining Baur Software’s messaging so it speaks to customers rather than reading like it was written by the person who built the product.

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What Todd Is Building

Todd describes Baur Software’s mission simply: fixing the internet. The company is behind two products. Chrysalis is a zero-trust security platform designed to help companies save money on coding tasks using advanced security technology, and it’s already been well-received. Papillon is a personal assistant that Todd describes as a browser built for the future of the web — part of a broader focus on where the workforce and the web itself are heading.

Why Todd Keeps Coming Back

Todd has been a longtime supporter of Startup San Diego, volunteering for various initiatives and regularly showing up to events like First Mondays. For him, the draw isn’t just networking in the traditional sense — it’s about being part of a supportive community. He notes that while many founders think events like this are about pitching, the real value comes from relationships built over time, including conversations that happen well after the event, at coffee shops and informal meetups around town.

What Makes San Diego’s Ecosystem Different

As someone more familiar with the LA startup scene, Todd points to San Diego’s accessibility as a standout quality. He references a sentiment similar to something Obama once said — that ultimately, “we just folk” — meaning it doesn’t matter whether you’re running a large company or a small one. If you have a problem, chances are someone in the community can help solve it.

The Challenge: Getting the Messaging Right

When asked about his biggest challenge as a founder, Todd points to market misconceptions around Baur Software’s products. He’s been working to refine the company’s messaging so it better matches how customers actually think and talk, rather than the internal vocabulary of the team that built it. He shares a piece of feedback that stuck with him — that the website read “like the guy who made the thing, not the customer who needs it.” Through connections made in the Startup San Diego community, Todd has found people who’ve helped him sharpen that messaging, and he continues refining it daily.

What Would Help Most

When asked how Startup San Diego could help him succeed further, Todd’s answer is straightforward: more customers. He’s happy to give live demos of Chrysalis or Papillon to anyone interested in seeing what zero-trust security looks like for the future. Todd can be found at baursoftware.com or on social media under the handle Toadkicker.