Tre Braquet, Chief Brand & Engagement Officer at Connect

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Tre Braquet, Chief Brand & Engagement Officer at Connect – 1st Mondays Mini Podcast

Posted: May 19, 2026

By Ella Napata

The 1st Mondays Mini Podcast is a platform for founders, innovators, investors, and ecosystem builders during the quarterly Startup San Diego 1st Mondays events to share what they’re building, ideating, and find out how we can support each other. A quick pulse on the ecosystem to bring us closer together.

For this episode, we sat down with Tre Braquet, Chief Brand & Engagement Officer at Connect, to hear how one of the nation’s first startup accelerators is showing up for San Diego’s entrepreneurial community. Forty years in, Connect is just getting started.

“A win for one person in San Diego is a win for all of us.” Tre Braquet, CONNECT

Watch the Full 1st Mondays Mini Podcast ft. Tre Braquet:

Here’s what this 1st Mondays Mini Podcast covered:

Born out of UCSD in 1985. Connect started as a way to help students commercialize their research — and became the nation’s very first startup accelerator.
A global blueprint. By the mid-2000s, the Connect model had been adopted in 50+ countries, Estonia, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, and beyond, as the go-to framework for launching innovation ecosystems.
Connect helps at every stage, not just the early ones. The organization has evolved to meet founders wherever they are, early, mid, or late. Connecting them to the right resources at the right time.
A new era of inclusion. The team is focused on making sure everyone in the San Diego ecosystem has a seat at the table, no one gets left behind.
Startup San Diego is the ultimate door-greeter. Tre described Startup San Diego as the door to the whole startup ecosystem, the place that opens the door so founders can meet everyone inside.

Coming Up in June – Connect’s Summer Social

Connect’s summer social is back, featuring their Cool Companies showcase, with VCs from out of town, local community members, and the startups ready to make their next big move. Learn more and get tickets.

Be Part of the 1st Mondays Mini Podcast

Want to share about your startup with the community? Join us at the next 1st Mondays event happening August 3rd at UCSD Design and Innovation Building! We will be holding interviews before the main programming and 30 minutes after. This is your opportunity to share what you’re building and get connected with the ecosystem.