How SDSU Became a Startup Connector

In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal Bloom sits down with Cathy Pucher, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives at San Diego State University, to trace the roots and the future of San Diego’s startup and early-stage investing ecosystem. From Cathy’s early career in semiconductor sales at Texas Instruments and front-row seat to Qualcomm’s rise, to founding the EvoNexus startup incubator and helping SDSU become a central connector for founders and investors, this conversation is a masterclass in ecosystem-building.Together, Neal and Cathy unpack how San Diego’s culture differs from Silicon Valley, why experiential learning matters for both founders and investors, and how the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC) has become a critical on-ramp for new angel investors while putting meaningful capital to work in local startups. The episode also marks the kick off of SDAC Fund VIII, with applications now live for both startups and aspiring angels.Key Topics Covered* Cathy’s journey from electrical engineering at UCSD to global semiconductor sales at Texas Instruments* Early San Diego wireless startups and Qualcomm’s role in shaping the ecosystem* Why San Diego’s startup culture feels fundamentally different from Silicon Valley* The leap from big tech to startup leadership at PacketVideo* Creating EvoNexus as a free incubator for serial entrepreneurs* How SDSU transitioned from an “island” to an active startup ecosystem connector* Student-led startups and the power of founder–market fit* Why SDSU focuses on connecting founders to existing accelerators instead of duplicating them* The evolution of local angel investing in San Diego* How the San Diego Angel Conference trains and activates new angel investors* What makes SDAC a “learn by doing” model for early-stage investing* The structure, timeline, and goals of SDAC Fund VIII* Why local capital pipelines matter for long-term ecosystem health* How students are now being embedded directly into the angel investing processSan Diego Angel Conference (SDAC) Highlights* Applications for startups are now open* Startups from across the U.S. are eligible (with in-person requirements later in the process)* Investor Knowledge & Network Event: February 10 at C3 Bank* SDSU 2026 Angel Academy: March 6SDSU SDAC program is designed for accredited investors who want:• A structured way to learn early-stage investing• Exposure to real startups and real diligence• A peer group to learn alongside• Deeper connection to the San Diego startup ecosystem* Meetings kick off week of March 9th thru late MayIf you’re curious, SDSU is hosting a 2026 SDAC Information Sessions:Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 4:00 pm* Zoom link: https://SDSU.zoom.us/j/89569142579?jst=2Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 12-1 pm* Message me for the linkLinks & Resources* San Diego Angel Conference* Lavin Entrepreneurship CenterConnect on LinkedIn* Cathy Pucher* Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe