SAN DIEGO - s4story -- The San Diego Innovation Council (SDIC) hosted another successful SDIC Innovation Showcase, held June 10 at San Diego Tech Center, where founders, investors, academic research organizations and innovation partners came together to advance research-driven startups across the region.

Now in its 9th year, the annual Showcase reflects SDIC's role as a collaborative platform for San Diego's innovation community. Led by a volunteer board of regional leaders, SDIC connects academic research, entrepreneurship, investment and industry to support innovation and commercialization across the region.

This year's Showcase featured 26 company presentations, investor and commercialization conversations, and networking across software/engineering, cleantech/bluetech and life sciences. It also underscored the people behind the ecosystem, including SDIC's more than 30 member organizations, which comprise technology transfer leaders, university representatives, investors, entrepreneurs and innovation organizations working together to help early-stage companies move from discovery to market opportunity.

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"SDIC represents the best of how San Diego builds," said James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect. "Its strength comes from the people and member organizations willing to collaborate across institutions, sectors and stages of company growth. The Showcase is a powerful reminder that this region's innovation momentum is driven by shared commitment, not any one organization alone."

Tommy Martindale, SDIC board chair, added, "SDIC was created as a platform to advance collaboration, innovation and commercialization across the region. The annual Showcase highlights and advances San Diego's reputation as a destination where groundbreaking research and high-growth entrepreneurship thrive."

At this year's annual Showcase, presenting companies competed for three Golden Ticket opportunities.

The BioLabs San Diego Golden Ticket included one year of free access to state-of-the-art lab facilities for a life sciences startup. Sesh Incorporated, a precision immuno-oncology company and 2026 Connect Cool Company, was the winner.

The UC San Diego Golden Ticket included six months of free access to UC San Diego's Horizon Accelerator, plus dedicated workspace for a physical sciences startup. NovosPower, a cleantech company developing solid-state transformers and SDSU alum, was the winner.

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The Aquillius & Beanstock Ventures Golden Ticket included three months of free access to lab space, plus regulatory/compliance support for a medical device startup. Vayim, a medtech company whose solution treats chronic sinusitis and a Connect Springboard company, was the winner.

The Golden Ticket awards reflect the broader value of SDIC's network, where member organizations provide founders with access to accelerator opportunities, lab space, investor exposure, commercialization expertise and community support.

As a member of SDIC, Connect is proud to support a council that brings together more than 30 organizations across academia, industry, government, capital and entrepreneurship to strengthen San Diego's innovation infrastructure.

Learn more about SDIC at https://sdic.org/.