SAN DIEGO - s4story -- San Diego Emerges as a National Hub for Founders and Filmmakers at Founders Alley San Diego & FilmCon

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Founders Alley San Diego & FilmCon highlighted the city's growing national influence by bringing together leading founders, investors, filmmakers, and creators for two days of high‑impact programming. Visionaries Stephen "Steph" Groce, Leo Kats, Tony Amat, and David Kamatoy led the event, joined by planning captains actors Shira Dina and Dr. Susan Weinshanker. Key voices included Tad Parzen, President & CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, who emphasized inclusive innovation, and Congressman Scott Peters, who underscored the creator economy's role in driving civic and economic growth.

Influential founders and industry leaders delivered standout sessions: Daniel Shire of Founder Institute on pre‑seed strategy; Dave Thomas of DRVN Entertainment & Sports on leadership; MyPhuong Le of Aquillius on advancing women in science; Rob Licopoli of 360 Sports on Reg CF and Reg A fundraising; and Steve Wilchenski of Hexivon and BNNano on seizing opportunity. FilmCon's entertainment programming featured Emmy nominees and award‑winning creators including Mark Christopher Lawrence, Eladio Arvelo, Michael Terry, Ray Buffer, Jodi Cilley, Rich Varville, Jordan Jacobo, Ronnel Parham, Samuel Warren, Camie Carpenter, Yokeena Jamar, and David Bianchi, offering attendees rare access to top‑tier industry insight.

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The landmark gathering was supported by Founders Alley Philadelphia, ICW Capital, Wells Fargo, Founder Institute, Equity Shift, ProPharma, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cocktails & Capital, 360 Sports, 360X Capital, Olympus Studios, Aline.Network, Aquillius, Aquillius Ventures, Hexivon, BNNano, DRVN Entertainment & Sports, San Diego Sports Innovators, Confirmed, Purvellay, Slatt Consulting, Swiftlan.ai, Bragabilia Energy, Wounded Warrior Homes, and Cookouts & Camaraderie. Stay connected by visiting  http://www.foundersalley.org and  http://www.filmcon.org