Épisodes

  • What Reef Haven Ventures Looks for in Founders, Science, and Scalable Companies

    What Reef Haven Ventures Looks for in Founders, Science, and Scalable Companies
    Apr 28 2026
    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.
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    22 min
  • Building the DICE Alliance: How San Diego Can Lead in Defense and Dual-Use Innovation

    Building the DICE Alliance: How San Diego Can Lead in Defense and Dual-Use Innovation
    Apr 21 2026
    In this episode of The Connect Current, we sit down with Rachel Costello to explore the intersection of innovation, execution, and real-world impact. Rachel shares her journey into company building, the insights that shaped her perspective, and what it takes to move from idea to meaningful traction. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities founders face today, along with a candid look at how experience, adaptability, and ecosystem support all play a role in building something that lasts.
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    15 min
  • Accelerating Innovation Through AI, Non-Dilutive Capital, and Smarter Pathways to Market featuring Rupak Doshi

    Accelerating Innovation Through AI, Non-Dilutive Capital, and Smarter Pathways to Market featuring Rupak Doshi
    Apr 15 2026
    In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Rupak Doshi, Co-founder and CEO of OmniSync, to explore how better systems can accelerate innovation. Rupak shares how OmniSync is helping founders and organizations navigate funding, market intelligence, and commercialization through AI-powered tools, and why the path from idea to traction is still more fragmented than it should be. He also offers insight into where innovators lose the most time and how smarter infrastructure can unlock faster progress. This conversation is a focused look at the systems behind innovation and what it takes to move more ideas from concept to real-world impact.
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    18 min
  • Unexpected Pathways and the Next Wave featuring Debbie Chen

    Unexpected Pathways and the Next Wave featuring Debbie Chen
    Apr 15 2026
    In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Debbie Chen, Founder and CEO of Hydrostasis, to explore how nontraditional journeys are shaping the next generation of innovation. Debbie shares how Hydrostasis is advancing hydration science through wearable technology, and why better understanding hydration as a vital sign could unlock new opportunities in health and performance. She also reflects on her own path into entrepreneurship and what it means to build from outside the traditional mold. This conversation is a thoughtful look at how lived experience, access, and perspective are expanding who gets to innovate and what gets built next in San Diego and beyond.
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    25 min
  • Early Detection, Accessible Diagnostics, and the Future of Health Innovation featuring Adam Jacobs

    Early Detection, Accessible Diagnostics, and the Future of Health Innovation featuring Adam Jacobs
    Apr 15 2026
    In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Adam Jacobs, President of xZom, to explore how early disease detection and accessible diagnostics are shaping the future of health innovation. Adam shares how xZom is building point-of-care solutions designed to make diagnostics faster and more accessible, and what it takes to stand out in a complex, competitive space. Drawing from his background in athletics and entrepreneurship, he also reflects on balancing commercial reality with mission-driven impact. This conversation offers a concise look at building meaningful health innovation in San Diego and turning big ideas into real-world solutions.
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    21 min
  • Building Better Animal Health Innovation in San Diego featuring Denise Bevers

    Building Better Animal Health Innovation in San Diego featuring Denise Bevers
    Apr 15 2026
    In this episode of The Connect Current, host James Zanewicz sits down with Denise Bevers, Co-founder, President and CEO of VETmAb BIO, to explore what it really takes to build an animal health biotech company in one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems. Denise brings decades of experience in drug development and company building, and she shares why animal health remains an underexplored but critical frontier for innovation. From identifying unmet needs in veterinary medicine to making key decisions around timing, capital, and execution, this conversation offers a candid look at the realities of building a science-driven startup. The discussion also highlights how San Diego’s strength in human biotech can extend into adjacent fields like animal health, and what it will take for the region to continue creating new categories of impact. Whether you’re a founder, operator, investor, or simply curious about where innovation is heading next, this episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen in places people aren’t looking yet.
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    14 min
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Apr 14 2026
    This trailer introduces The Connect Current, a podcast exploring the people, ideas, and momentum shaping San Diego’s innovation ecosystem. Hosted by James Zanewicz and produced by Connect, the series features conversations with founders, investors, and leaders across life science, technology, AI, climate, defense, and more. New episodes launch April 15th and release weekly on Tuesdays.
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    2 min