Organization · Accelerator
Connect
Connect is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, established in 1985, that supports entrepreneurs and companies in the life sciences and technology sectors through various programs and initiatives.
Overview
What Connect does
What Connect is
Connect is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, established in 1985, that supports entrepreneurs and companies in the life sciences and technology sectors through various programs and initiatives.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 1985
- Approximate age
- About 41 years
- Structured capabilities
- Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 2, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Connect elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Connect as a program host
Program thesis
Connect is a non-profit organization aimed at supporting the growth of life science and technology companies, enhancing San Diego's reputation as a global innovation hub.
Focus narrative
Connect focuses on investing in and providing services to life science and technology companies. It supports startups throughout their growth journey, offering programs and events designed to connect businesses with capital, education, and advisors. The organization emphasizes building a strong and inclusive innovation ecosystem in the San Diego region.
Value and support
Connect offers mentorship, access to capital, educational resources, and networking opportunities to startups in the life sciences and technology sectors.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Sectors
- Healthcare
- Regions
- United States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Connect has supported numerous notable companies, including Drata, which raised $200 million in Series C funding; Seismic, which completed a $170 million Series G round; Cloudbeds, which raised $150 million in Series D funding; Carlsmed, a leader in AI-powered spinal surgery solutions; and Trust & Will, a company focused on estate planning.
Capability profile
Connect as a community
Community overview
Connect is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, California, established to support the growth of life science and technology companies. It serves as a catalyst for innovation, aiming to strengthen the local economy and enhance San Diego's reputation as a global innovation hub. Connect operates as a specialty center within the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network.
Community focus
Connect focuses on investing in and providing services to life science and technology companies. It supports startups throughout their growth journey, offering programs and events designed to connect businesses with capital, education, and advisors. The organization emphasizes building a strong and inclusive innovation ecosystem in the San Diego region.
Member value
Members benefit from access to advising programs, leadership development, and opportunities to connect with investors and industry experts. Connect also provides resources to help startups prepare for funding and grow their businesses.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Operators
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Sectors
- Healthcare
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
Connect hosts several notable events including Connect Forward, an innovation community event featuring discussions on future visions; Venture Summit, an invite-only investor summit for venture capitalists; Summer Social, an annual showcase of Cool Companies; and Innovation Day, a major gathering for the tech, life sciences, consumer, and defense sectors.
Notable members
Connect has supported numerous notable companies, including Drata, Seismic, Cloudbeds, Carlsmed, and Trust & Will.
Common questions
What to know about Connect
Upseed classifies Connect under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes program host and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 2, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.