About the San Diego Venture Group
Building the VC Community in Southern California
Attend SDVG Events
Meet successful founders, CEOs, and investors from around the region.
San Diego Venture Group
Elevating the San Diego Innovation Economy
Founded in 1986, SDVG is a non-profit organization designed to bring together people who are interested in new ventures and furthering individual companies, as well as our overall innovation community.
We are working hard to further San Diego’s status as a leading entrepreneurial and venture region. We regularly meet with startup companies and investors – both here and outside of San Diego. It is our mission to elevate the funding environment and growth prospects for our local startups. It is all about the companies, for the companies. We further work to support our venture capital eco-system by providing an informal and dynamic environment for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, community leaders, and business advisors to develop greater insights into the process of forming, funding, and scaling high growth companies.
There are ten monthly meetings of the SDVG each year. Each meeting typically features a panel discussion by cross-industry experts on a specific entrepreneurial topic. Panelist are most always a combination of been-there-done-that CEOs along with venture capital investors. Meetings provide a friendly atmosphere for social contacts with peers — opportunities to expand one’s circle of friends and acquaintances with common interests.
We encourage you to connect and stay tuned!
Become a Member of SDVG
Play a principal role in bringing about high growth enterprise in San Diego.
Join the SDVG LinkedIn Group
Join members in the SDVG LinkedIn Group for funding news and discussions.
Follow SDVG on Twitter
Join in real-time discussions and updates in the San Diego funding scene.
“ San Diego Venture Group is on a mission to help grow the emerging startup community in San Diego.
Helping existing companies get better.
Helping those that are ready connect with capital.
Developing the San Diego brand in Silicon Valley, such that the VCs there proactively seek out our companies.
San Diego a great place to park their VC dollars. ”
— Mike Krenn
President of SDVG
The SDVG Team
Mike Krenn
President of SDVG
Mike has been fortunate to work with hundreds of companies and entrepreneurs, helping over 75 companies raise startup capital, in excess of $150M. He also has experience (and empathy) with startups, having worked as a COO and VP of BD at a privately-funded technology startup. He was a founder of both the Tech Coast Angels and CommNexus. While at DLA Piper, he founded Venture Pipeline — a free service that matches entrepreneurs with capital sources nationally, though primarily VC funds based in Silicon Valley. He has served on boards for Connect, The MIT Forum, the San Diego Software Council, and numerous other organizations.
Cait Kelly
Program Manager
Cait is Program Manager for SDVG. She’s also the BeachHead Coordinator, SDVG’s SF office. She’s an Analyst at SEED San Diego and Program Coordinator for the new accelerator program, Ad Astra Ventures. She’s a boss.
Nicole Leandra
Creative Director
Nicole is the creative and web designer for SDVG. She’s web designer and creative director for SD’s new Ad Astra Ventures. She advises the brand and communications for Startup San Diego and SD Startup Week. She designed the community campaign for The BeachHead, and the brand and website for SDVG’s Tacos & Tech #UltimateLifeHack recruitment campaign.
The SDVG Board
The SDVG Board of Directors is comprised of some of San Diego’s top executives, market influencers and investors. It is by design, a diverse group, inclusive of been-there-done-that leaders, along with CEOs currently in the trenches. With a dedicated “working” board, SDVG is committed to making a meaningful and tangible impact for our start-up companies and overall innovation economy.
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AAEAAQAAAAAAAALAAAAAJGM1ZGRmMzZlLTA0YzgtNDg3Zi1hYWJjLTM0ZmI4NjgwMmQ2Mg.jpg
400
400
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2013-01-24 03:05:022017-12-07 10:59:03Adam Harris
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Afif-Khoury.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2013-02-23 03:47:372016-07-18 20:51:58Afif Khoury
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Allison-Long.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 21:43:232018-04-03 15:34:02Allison Long Pettine
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Andy-Summers.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 21:56:512016-07-15 05:33:26Andy Summers
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Beck-Bamberger.jpg
400
400
Nicole
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Nicole2017-06-30 05:53:492017-06-30 06:03:48Beck Bamberger
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Bill-Eigner.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:27:162016-07-18 20:07:54Bill Eigner
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Eric-Hornsten.png
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:35:242018-10-05 13:52:17Eric Hornsten
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Bruce-Steel.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2012-01-03 03:27:292017-04-01 13:38:37Bruce Steel
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Carin-Canale-Theakston.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:23:322018-07-26 15:39:20Carin Canale-Theakston
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Cheston-Larson.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 06:22:482016-07-15 07:14:53Cheston Larson
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Christian-Salaman.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2012-01-03 03:21:202016-07-19 05:02:12Christian Salaman
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Court-Turner.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2012-01-03 03:28:432017-08-17 09:53:13Court Turner
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Craig-Lee.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 21:39:302016-07-15 06:13:17Craig Lee
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Ryan-Buell.png
400
400
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:39:512018-09-10 13:16:14Ryan Buell
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/David-Coats.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2013-01-24 03:03:502016-08-17 02:46:18David Coats
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/David-Titus.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2015-01-15 07:16:422016-07-19 06:03:46David Titus
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Derrick-Oien.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 21:46:242016-07-15 06:06:01Derrick Oien
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAjBAAAAJGNiNDE2M2M1LWZhOWQtNDNhMy04MjUxLWE5MjIzYmRjNjFiMg.jpg
317
317
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-02-08 23:32:242017-12-07 10:43:58Doug Winter
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAxwAAAAJDgwZDRlMDVmLWM0NzMtNGFjNy1hMDJiLWY0NTA3NzdlMWNjMA.jpg
400
400
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:20:002017-12-08 15:20:00Drew Spaventa
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Emad-Fareed.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-03-04 05:59:322016-07-18 20:11:49Emad Fareed
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Eric-Otterson.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2015-01-15 07:13:032016-07-19 04:53:52Eric Otterson
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Gary-Benitt.png
400
400
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:30:332018-02-22 00:30:31Gary Benitt
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Gerardo-Godinez.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-09 00:21:272016-07-15 05:17:46Gerardo Godinez
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/download.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2018-01-17 14:06:432018-01-17 14:09:50Grant Jordan
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-2017-11-JLABS-Speaker-Jay-Lichter.png
500
500
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:10:292017-12-08 15:10:29Jay Lichter
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Jeffrey-Belk.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-03-03 04:29:502016-07-17 07:35:31Jeffrey Belk
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Jeremy-Glaser.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:32:032016-07-18 20:28:44Jeremy Glaser
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAjJAAAAJDNkOGI0ODQzLTUwMTgtNDhhZi04Mjg1LThlYjM4ZDUyN2YxNw.jpg
400
400
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-03 02:05:412017-12-04 10:59:20Jonathan Kabakoff
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/KC-Freer.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2015-01-13 23:36:562016-07-18 20:23:38KC Freer
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ken-Hood.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 06:09:542017-08-21 14:58:38Ken Hood
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Killu-Sanborn.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-05-04 06:16:242017-05-04 06:16:24Killu Sanborn
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Kim-Kamdar.png
400
400
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-07 13:52:392018-02-22 00:29:04Kim Kamdar
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AAEAAQAAAAAAAA3iAAAAJDhiYjZhMmRmLWE4YTktNGFjZi05NzA2LTFmNzRlODczNTc0NQ.jpg
400
400
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:54:202017-12-08 15:54:55Kris George
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Kristi-Jaska.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-03-04 06:13:062016-07-16 05:21:18Kristi Jaska
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Kristina-Hess.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 06:05:232016-07-16 05:16:35Kristina Hess
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Lee-Barken.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2013-01-24 02:58:072016-07-17 07:06:14Lee Barken
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Lori-Steele.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 21:53:112016-07-15 05:59:06Lori Steele
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mark-Bowles.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2014-04-09 08:24:302016-09-29 01:31:33Mark Bowles
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAhsAAAAJGI0YWU5MDFlLTcwYWQtNGY3Yy1hYTliLWY0M2U3NjZkNTg2OA.jpg
370
370
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:36:222017-12-08 15:36:22Mark Wicker
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/browne-matthew-10389-pitch.jpg
456
375
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:25:152017-12-01 06:49:34Matt Browne
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Michael-Howard.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:32:592016-07-18 20:44:02Michael Howard (Treasurer)
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Michele-Comtois.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2014-02-01 08:12:382016-07-18 19:43:39Michele Comtois
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Mike-Grey.jpg
250
250
Nicole
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Nicole2016-06-17 02:55:432016-08-17 05:39:17Mike Grey
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Neal-Bloom.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-03-03 04:33:092016-07-17 06:52:32Neal Bloom
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Peter-Shaw-1.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:37:392016-07-19 05:46:46Peter Shaw
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/download.jpg
250
251
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2015-01-13 23:44:262018-03-28 14:52:47Quinn Li
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Randy-Socol.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2013-01-24 03:15:132016-07-19 05:54:29Randy Socol
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Robert-Baltera.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2013-01-24 02:54:052016-08-17 02:48:02Robert Baltera
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Scot-Ginsburg.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2011-09-26 17:30:572016-07-18 20:26:08Scot Ginsburg
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Scott-Foote.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-04 06:02:192016-07-18 20:17:01Scott Foote
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Shannon-Conway.jpg
250
250
admin
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
admin2014-02-01 08:33:092016-07-18 19:46:52Shannon Conway
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Stacey-Davenport.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-03-04 05:54:342016-07-18 19:50:53Stacey Davenport
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Stuart-Starr.jpg
250
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2016-03-03 02:14:492016-08-17 02:47:51Stuart Starr
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Sureel-Sheth-1.jpg
250
250
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2016-03-03 02:08:552016-07-19 05:50:12Sureel Sheth
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/image001.jpg
512
512
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2015-01-13 23:05:592017-12-01 07:57:48Tim McIntire
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/todd-poling.jpg
375
250
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 16:34:572017-12-08 16:34:57Todd Poling
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/122a0a6.jpg
257
257
Megan
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Megan2013-01-24 03:07:062017-12-07 10:30:45Tyler Wilson
https://sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SDVG-San-Diego-Venture-Group-Board-Member-Wendy-Rogers.png
400
400
Ariel Ruben
https://www.sdvg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdvg-logo.png
Ariel Ruben2017-12-08 15:14:062018-02-22 00:25:42Wendy RogersSan Diego Venture Group HQ is located at the Alexandria across from Torrey Pines.
SDVG Press
Upcoming Events
Oct
24
Wed
5:00 pm
QuickPitch 2018
@ Qualcomm Hall
QuickPitch 2018
@ Qualcomm Hall
Oct 24 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
10 startups go head-to-head for over $75K in prizes.
Oct
25
Thu
8:00 am
San Diego Innovation Showcase
@ JLABS San Diego
San Diego Innovation Showcase
@ JLABS San Diego
Oct 25 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
A full day of company presentations and networking, with high quality investment opportunities in the software, engineering, clean tech, agricultural and life sciences sectors. The 2018 SDIC showcase will take place atJLABs San Diego on[...]
Nov
7
Wed
8:00 am
Paths to Funding: Attracting Ca...
@ Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine
Paths to Funding: Attracting Ca...
@ Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine
Nov 7 @ 8:00 am – 10:30 am
There is a renewed interest from investors in cleantech companies and the benefits they provide to the economy and the environment. As the market shifts, funding mechanisms are taking many forms. From traditional venture capital[...]