In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Hala Madanat, Vice President for Research and Innovation at San Diego State University, to explore how universities can play a larger role in helping founders build and scale companies. The conversation dives into SDSU’s growing strengths across AI, National Security, technology, workforce development, and applied research, along with how startups can better engage with university talent, research, and partnerships. Hala also shares her perspective on connecting innovation to real-world impact and why stronger collaboration between academia, startups, and industry is critical to San Diego’s future innovation economy.

This episode was recorded in Kiln Rancho Bernardo.

Learn more about the Kiln at https://kiln.com/communities/rancho-bernardo/

Learn more about San Diego State at https://www.sdsu.edu/

In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Dr. Garrett Smith and Dr. Nick Mourlas of Reef Haven Ventures to unpack what it really takes to move from strong science to a scalable, investable company. The conversation is built for founders, offering a clear look into how early-stage investors evaluate opportunities, what separates compelling research from a real business, and how teams can position themselves for meaningful conversations with capital. From first impressions to pitch strategy, this episode provides practical insight into how venture firms think, what stands out, and where founders most often miss the mark.

This episode was recorded at UC San Diego Park & Market.

Learn more about Reef Haven Ventures: https://www.reefhavenventures.com/