SAN DIEGO - s4story -- Connect, a nonprofit organization supporting San Diego's innovation ecosystem for more than 40 years, announced the appointment of Marshall Fritz as director of tech and defense.

"Marshall brings a strong combination of technical expertise, venture experience and relationship building that is critical to the future of San Diego's innovation economy," said James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect. "He understands how to translate complex technologies into real world outcomes and how to connect founders, capital and strategic partners in ways that create momentum."

In this role, Fritz will lead Connect's efforts to strengthen the region's tech and defense innovation pipelines. He will focus on sourcing high potential founders, building strategic partnerships across academia, industry and government, and providing hands-on mentorship to help companies scale and access capital.

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Fritz brings experience across venture capital, deep technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Most recently, he served as an investment associate and strategist with a private family office, where he led sourcing and due diligence efforts across frontier technologies and helped deploy more than $6 million in capital. He has screened more than 500 startups, built relationships with more than 100 investors, and supported early stage companies in advancing toward funding and commercialization .

His background also includes advisory work with artificial intelligence platforms focused on predictive investment outcomes and enterprise AI solutions, venture roles supporting early stage funds across the United States, and operational leadership experience helping scale startups from concept to revenue generating businesses.

Fritz holds a doctorate in bioengineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, along with a graduate certificate in innovation, leadership and management. Fritz received his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech

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As director of tech and defense, Fritz will play a key role in advancing Connect's mission to support innovation by strengthening pathways for both pure tech advancements and dual-use technologies, deepening engagement with defense and government partners, and helping founders move from early stage development to scalable companies .

"San Diego sits at the intersection of technology, defense and breakthrough innovation," Fritz said. "Connect has built a strong platform to bring that ecosystem together. I am excited to work with founders, partners and the broader community to help turn strong ideas into lasting companies."

Learn more about Connect and the rest of the team at https://connect.org/about/.