This Week in San Diego Tech News - 1/5/2026

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!1/5/2026Draft numbers of total VC Investment into SD Companies in 2025: $3.4BSelect top fundings:* Tech:* ShieldAI $240M, Cybereason $120M, Flock Fleight $60M, Clearspeed $60M, FABRIC8LABS $50M, Equip $46M* Biotech:* Crystalis Therapeutics $205M; Timberlyne Therapeutics $180M; Protego Biopharma $130M; Aspen Neuroscience $115M; Raythera $110M2025 Acquisitions:* Avidity $12B by Novartis* Cidara Therapeutics $9.2B Merck* Capstan Thera $2.1B by AbbVie* Arthrosi Thera $1B* Kate Thera $1.1B* Regulus Therapeutics acquired by Novartis ($1.7B)* Nalu Medical $500MIPOs:* Aardvark Thera* Aptera* Once Upon A Farm* Carlsmed* MapLight Therapeutics2026 Predictions* More IPOs & M&A, market up* Fundings up, in specific areas, more in other markets than SD* More return to office, in specific areasCarta Startup Ranking - San Diego #6Trust & Will Holiday BowlTED announced move to SDCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteCES - Jan. 5-10Carlsbad Industry Exchange - Jan. 6JPM - Jan. 12-15State of Venture event - Jan. 29 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