Welcome to the 13th Annual…

San Diego
Startup Week 2025

Happening October 2026. Join us for San Diego Startup Week! Take part in a full week of programming where thousands of Founders, Entrepreneurs, Designers, Investors, Students, and Startup Leaders will come together. Be part of the innovation happening in the San Diego – Baja startup community!

San Diego Startup Week 2025

Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

Welcome to San Diego Startup Week!

Startup San Diego is back again with the 13th annual San Diego Startup Week. This premier conference celebrates and convenes the San Diego and Tijuana startup community. Join us on October 2026 for five days of curated content and experiences that will bring together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, executives, and talent to connect, educate, and inspire the San Diego innovation ecosystem. Startup Week Experiences include networking, mentorship madness, pitch competitions and tournaments, startup expos, and more. Make sure to get your ticket and be at the center of all things startups!

DAY 1:

CITY OF
CARLSBAD

In Our Backyard:

First Steps to Growing Sustainable Success

11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

DAY 2:

MINTZ

SD Founders Showcase:

Meet Top Early-Stage Startups!

5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

DAY 3:

SDSU

Success Isn’t Linear:

Navigating Twists, Turns & Teammates

1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

DAY 4:

arkusnexus

Baja Innovation:

Locally Grown,
Globally Known

10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

DAY 5:

UCSD

Powering AI’s Exponential Growth:

Robotics & Society

11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

1600+ Attendees

Get connected with some of San Diego’s top entrepreneurs, founders, investors, talent and business professionals!

Receptions & Startup Expos

Kick off & close San Diego Startup Week with keynote speakers and connect with local startups at the Startup Expos.

5 Days 5 Locations

This will be an all encompassing conferencing highlighting different startup hubs and resources for founders and entrepreneurs in San Diego and Tijuana.

Pitch Competition & Tournaments

Intercollegiate and Heavyweight startups will go head-to-head for one of the toughest pitch competitions in San Diego!

Mentorship & Networking

Connect with the best startups and community leaders. Network with the startup ecosystem and thrive.

Binational Conference

Take part in a unique international experience with programming in Tijuana, MX and San Diego, CA!

San Diego Startup Week
San Diego Startup Week
San Diego Startup Week
SDSW - Backyard

In Our Backyard: First Steps to Growing Sustainable Success

Monday, October 6th in Carlsbad Village

“In Our Backyard” kicks off San Diego Startup Week 2025, Monday, October 6th, with an experience for founders ready to grow from the ground up. As funding tightens and big bets become harder to land, this gathering is about what’s possible here and now, with what you already have.

The day will end with a Keynote Fireside Chat with Michael Milam, Chief Operations Officer at Dr. Bronner’s.

Sponsored by

San Diego’s Founders Showcase

Tuesday, October 7th at Mintz

Get a first look at San Diego’s most promising early-stage startups during San Diego Startup Week’s Founders Showcase on Tuesday, October 7th, designed to celebrate & converge founders and funders. 

Featuring the top finalists from our premier pitch competitions alongside standout founders from across the region, this event spotlights ventures rooted in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem and built for global scale.

Sponsored by

SDSW - Navigating Twist and turns

Success Isn’t Linear: Navigating Twists, Turns & Teammates

Wednesday, October 8th at The Parma Payne Goodall SDSU Alumni Center

Embrace the heart of San Diego Startup Week at SDSU, where you can learn firsthand how to navigate entrepreneurial twists, turns, & teammates! Immerse yourself in co-founder matching, one-on-one mentoring, & gain tangible insights on early-stage angel investing directly from the San Diego Angels Conference.

End the evening with an inspirational keynote talk from Trish Clifford, Co-Founder of Leche.

 

Sponsored by

Baja Innovation: Locally Grown, Globally Known

Thursday, October 9th, at Arkusnexus in Tijuana, Mexico

Join San Diego Startup Week’s cross-border excursion to Tijuana, Thursday, October 9th, where entrepreneurs leverage Baja’s strategic trans-Pacific position between the U.S., Mexico, and Asia to build globally competitive companies. Connect with industry leaders, discover nearshoring opportunities, and experience how local innovation scales worldwide through authentic cultural immersion and concrete business partnerships. Round-trip transportation from the Tijuana border to Arkusnexus included.

 

Sponsored by

Powering AI’s Exponential Growth: Robotics & Society

Friday, October 10th, UCSD Design & Innovation Building

The culmination of San Diego Startup Week 2025, Friday, October 10th, features industry-led panels, workshops, expos, and the Founders Fight Club Heavyweight Pitch Competition & Tournament all showcasing San Diego’s innovative forces and leaders driving and funding technological advancements in tech, AI, & robotics.

Discover how physical and embodied robotics drives breakthroughs in tech and beyond with capstone programming showcasing some of San Diego’s startup unicorns and an exciting keynote speaker TBA!

 

Sponsored by

San Diego Startup Week 2025 Featured Speakers

Check out the San Diego Startup Week 2025 speakers! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X to stay updated.

San Diego Startup Week!

San Diego Startup Week 2025 Schedule

The San Diego Startup Week 2025 schedule is powered by Eventship! Please follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X to stay updated.

Disclaimer: Events and times are subject to change, we encourage you check back often to be up to date!

Venue & Parking Details

The Dea Hurston New Village Arts

Main Venue: The Dea Hurston New Village Arts, 2787 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008 

Parking: Free parking will be available at the Carlsbad Village Train station (2775 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008). Get there early to guarantee parking, or there is free street parking along State street or Roosevelt Street. 

NCTD Coaster: If you plan to take the Coaster to Carlsbad, please be aware that the last coaster back to San Diego will be at 7:43 PM. Check out the full schedule here and plan accordingly.

 

Main Venue: Mintz (3580 Carmel Mountain Rd, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130).

Parking: Free parking is available in the building’s parking garage. 

Our office is in the second building (#3580) in the cul-de-sac.

From the North (Los Angeles/Orange County)

  • Take I-5 South.
  • Watch for Local Bypass 56 signs when you reach Del Mar.
  • Merge to the right on to Bypass 56. You will see exit signs for both Carmel Valley Road and Carmel Mountain Road. Do not take the Carmel Valley Road exit.
  • Stay on Bypass 56.
  • Exit at Carmel Mountain Road (Exit 32).
  • Turn left (east) at the end of the ramp on Carmel Mountain Road.
  • Drive under the freeway and through the first traffic light
  • Turn left at the second traffic light on Gateway Ridge Court.
  • Proceed up the driveway and turn right into the second garage entrance.

From the South (Lindbergh Field Airport)

  • Follow road signs from airport to I-5 North.
  • After passing the La Jolla exits, merge into the right lane.
  • Pass Sorrento Valley Road and immediately merge on to Bypass 56.
  • Take the first exit on to Carmel Mountain Road (Exit 32).
  • Turn right (east) at the end of the ramp on Carmel Mountain Road.
  • Complete the turn and immediately merge into the far-left lane.
  • Turn left at the next traffic light on Gateway Ridge Court.
  • Proceed up the driveway and turn right into the second garage entrance.

The Parma Payne Goodall SDSU Alumni Center

Venue: The SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, 5250 55th St, San Diego, CA 92182

Free Parking: Free parking is available for attendees on campus! NOTE: You will need your license plate number to register your car. There will also be an option to scan a QR Code at registration to secure your complimentary parking.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy free food, snacks, & beverages! Below is more information to help inform your parking and transportation for the event. 

 

Secure your FREE parking spot on campus between 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

  • OPTION 1: Reserve your parking permit before the conference HERE.
  • OPTION 2: Scan the complimentary parking QR code on the day of at SDSU Parking Structure 7. You will need your license plate number to register your car. There will also be an option to scan a QR Code at registration to secure your complimentary parking.

 

MTS Public Transit Information:

  • Using the MTS Trip Planner Tool, enter SDSU as your destination. For attendees using the trolley, use the Green Line to get to SDSU. 
  • Take the stairs or elevator up to MTS bus stops on the top level, and follow the footpath westward.
  • The Parma Payne Goodall SDSU Alumni Center will come up on the corner of 55th Street and Aztec Walk.

ArkusNexus MindHub

Main Venue: ArkusNexus MindHub (Suchiate 13, Revolucion, 22015 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico). Complimentary valet parking will be available in their parking garage.

Crossing together by with San Diego Startup Week team and attendees: If you are crossing by foot with the Startup Week team, meet us at the PedEast US border entry just a few steps from the San Ysidro Trolley.

We will walk across the border at 1:00 PM, and a shuttle bus will take us directly to the ArkusNexus MindHub building. Please have your passport with you for this day!

If you miss the walking group or want to come in later, feel free to Uber or take a taxi right from the border, it will cost around 100-200 pesos ($5 USD – $10 USD). 

Paid Parking Options on the San Diego side:

  1. LAZ Parking: 714 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173
  2. Gateway parking: 701 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173
  3. Border Lot 1: 712 Rail Ct, San Diego, CA 92173

Free Parking on the San Diego side:

  1. Beyer Blvd Station: 4035 Beyer Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173, Take the trolley and park for free. Only one stop away from the San Ysidro border.

UCSD Design and Innovation Building

Main Venue: UCSD Design and Innovation Building, 9510 Innovation Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093

Parking: Although public transportation is highly recommended as parking is limited on campus, there are several parking lots near the building for those needing to drive. If you plan to drive to campus, please give yourself plenty of time. You can download the ParkMobile app to pay for your space digitally once you find a spot.

  • P510 – Pay and Display, Northside of the DIB (Closest)
  • Gilman Parking Structure, Southwest side of the DIB (Largest)
  • P506 – Pay and Display, Northside of the DIB
  • P504 – Pay and Display, Northside of the DIB

For more information, refer to Transportation Services’ Visitor Parking.

Public transportation: All visitors to the DIB are encouraged to use the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System when visiting UC San Diego. The trolley is an excellent option for travel to campus.

  • When navigating to the DIB, please utilize the website: MTS – San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (sdmts.com) – Enter your starting location and not your ending location will be (UC San Diego Central Campus Station).
  • The trolley does cost $2.50 each way, which means your round trip to and from the DIB should total $5.00.
  • There is also a five-story FREE parking garage at the Nobel Drive Station at La Jolla Village Square – 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. San Diego, CA 92037. You can catch the trolley there, heading north toward UTC/UC San Diego. Just two stops up, the trolley will drop you off at the front of the Design and Innovation Building.
San Diego Startup Week!
JOIN THE SAN DIEGO STARTUP COMMUNITY +4,000 MEMBERS

Join the Startup San Diego Slack Community!

Make the most out of your San Diego Startup Week experience. Join the Startup San Diego Slack community and start talking to different attendees and community members.

  • Navigate the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data. Access useful information like ridesharing and local attractions through the Community Board
  • Network effectively. Plan whom to meet by exploring attendee profiles and sending out messages
  • Participate in event activities through session likes, comments, ratings, live polling, tweeting, and more
Exhibit At San Diego Startup Week

Exhibitors for San Diego Startup Week

BuyBack Ventures

BuyBack Ventures

Data Science Alliance

Data Science Alliance

Downtown Works

Downtown Works

Dr.Bronner's

Dr.Bronner's

Gaudio Growth Partners

Gaudio Growth Partners

San Diego State University Division of Research and Innovation

SDSU Division of Research and Innovation

Angel Conference SDSU

SDSU 2026 San Diego Angel Conference

SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives

SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives

SDSU ZIP Launchpad - Startups

SDSU ZIP Launchpad - Startups

Tap Inc Social Trader

Social Trader/ Tap Inc.

Techstars San Diego powered by San Diego State University

Techstars San Diego powered by SDSU

The Program Labs

The Program Labs

San Diego Startup Week X
San Diego Startup Week X - Mobile

Startup Week X - Community-Driven Track for San Diego Startup Week

New this year, we’re expanding our platform by launching Startup Week X – the official community-driven track for San Diego Startup Week. This is your opportunity to host your own independently-run free event—a panel, workshop, pitch night, networking mixer, demo showcase, or something brand new—and be featured as an official part of San Diego Startup Week! 

Whether you’re an avid organizer or new to the scene, Startup Week x gives you the platform, support, and spotlight to reach 2k+ startup stakeholders across the region between October 6th-10th, 2025. We’re calling on all community organizers, industry leaders, founders, funders, service providers, and changemakers to create something extraordinary.

Startup Week X is a series of free, community-driven events designed to amplify visibility, accessibility, and connectivity to our region’s vast resources, industries, verticals for growth, & communities.

Event submissions are open from August 4, 2025 – September 17, 2025. Join the biggest startup-focused week in Southern California!

Experiencing financial hardship or professional displacement?

Startup San Diego & the larger community want to support you in attending the conference! Please submit the below form for the opportunity to receive a sponsored ticket.
San Diego Startup Week
San Diego Startup Week
San Diego Startup Week Page
San Diego Startup Week
San Diego Startup Week

Become a Sponsor of San Diego Startup Week!

Angel
$2,750

• Event Passes
• One Year Recognition

Seed
$5,500

• Premium Branding
• Sponsor Table
• Event Passes
• One Year Recognition

Series A
$10,000

• Speaking Opportunity
• Premium Branding
• Sponsor Table
• Event Passes
• One Year Recognition

Growth
$15,000


• Exclusive Presenting Sponsor
• Speaking Opportunity
• Premium Branding
• Sponsor Table
• Event Passes
• One Year Recognition

IPO
$30,000

• Title Sponsor of Startup Week
• Exclusive Presenting Sponsor
• Speaking Opportunity
• Premium Branding
• Sponsor Table
• Event Passes
• One Year Recognition

Get Your Brand in Front of Thousands of Startup Week Attendees

Take your brand to the next level and get in front of thousands of individuals within your market. With over 2,000+ attendees expected to attend, 5 days of panels, workshops and events. Become a San Diego Startup Week sponsor and support the startup community while elevating your brand.

Contact Executive Director Lisa Barnhouse for San Diego Startup Week Sponsorship Opportunities at [email protected].

San Diego Startup Week Sponsorship
San Diego Startup Week Sponsorship

Thank You to Our San Diego Startup Week Sponsors!

San Diego Startup Week!

Local organizations, programs, and resources helping SD founders and talent.

San Diego Startup Week is a weeklong program bringing together founders, investors, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in the innovation economy. People can learn from panelists, workshops, and mentorship one-on-ones, as well as participate in networking and happy hour events.

Want to get in front of thousands of people? Exhibit at San Diego Startup Week and present your product or service to individuals within your target audience.

Startup San Diego is dedicated to serving the community and making our events accessible to all. If you are experiencing financial hardship send us an email and we will be providing sponsored tickets on an at need basis.