BONUS CONTENT
DESIGNED FOR INNOVATION
A DYNAMIC DUO is leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs in San Diego . David Favela , MPIA ’ 96 and Christiana Russell lead UC San Diego ’ s Talent Foundry , a support service for startups and entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented communities . With the support of a three-year , $ 929,000 grant from the U . S . Economic Development Administration , the Talent Foundry will increase the diversity of founders in the startup space , particularly in tech , biotech , blue tech and life science . Additionally , it will provide the San Diego community with access to university resources at the newly opened Design and Innovation Building .
“ In San Diego , there are exclusive startup events where money and ideas flow ,” says Favela , program director of the Talent Foundry . “ Wealth is created at these events and perpetuates itself . And so when a diverse group of entrepreneurs is not represented , it ’ s already a segregated situation .”
By facilitating partnerships , strengthening the network of support and
“ In order to do extraordinary things , you have to know you ’ re extraordinary . Recognizing that , owning it and celebrating it often needs nurturing from the outside in .”
— CHRISTIANA RUSSELL
EXTRAORDINARY IDEAS Talent Foundry supports diversity among entrepreneurs .
BY ELIZABETH SALAAM
providing access to financial resources , the Talent Foundry aims to diversify and fortify San Diego ’ s entrepreneurial ecosystem .
“ To us , the Talent Foundry is a way of giving back to the community ,” says Favela .
Participating founders work in a broad range of fields , from education to molecular biology and from hospitality to health . Current startups include RoomChazer , a student-housing roommate-matching online platform ; Neet Sheets , a timesaving new bedsheet for the hospitality industry ; and Promo Drone , a rapid-response aerial drone communication system . The Talent Foundry works with entrepreneurs at all stages of development , from ideation through the scaling process .
“ The Talent Foundry has provided me with a professional network , a physical location , financial assistance , mentorship and much more ,” says Carlos Munoz , co-founder of ReBlood Rx , a bioengineered protein to oxygenate vital organs when blood is not immediately available . “ This type of support is exactly what a company needs to survive to reach the first few milestones to be self-sustaining .”
With Favela and Russell at the helm , the approach is more holistic than your classic business accelerator or mentorship program . There is no curriculum and no timeline . Although they follow the lean startup methodology , which involves a build – measure – learn feedback loop , the program unfolds differently for each participant . The Talent Foundry offers specialized training in areas where individual founders need specific operational support to build their business acumen or navigate obstacles in their personal lives .
Cultivating Talent : Christiana Russell ( left ) and David Favela , MPIA ’ 96 ( right ) offer support , guidance and networking opportunities for San Diego entrepreneurs .
The program ’ s customized “ whole person ” approach is invaluable in an entrepreneurship program for populations whose self-confidence , risk perception or social participation have been impacted by marginalization .
“ We believe entrepreneurialism is a state of mind , and you need to cultivate it ,” says Favela . “ When you come from a diverse background , you may not have had it modeled for you .”
Russell , the Talent Foundry ’ s program coordinator and co-partner of We Tha Plug , a startup network that brings together founders and funding opportunities in Los Angeles , puts it another way .
“ In order to do extraordinary things , you have to know you ’ re extraordinary ,” she says . “ Recognizing that , owning it and celebrating it often needs nurturing from the outside in .”
Undoubtedly , Favela and Russell each have their own language for speaking about the work they do . This is where the strength of their partnership lies , and the program is thriving under their collaborative leadership .
“ I am so grateful for David and Christiana ,” says Christine Olory , founder and CEO of RoomChazer . “ Their approach is very different from other coaches or business accelerators . It ’ s closer , more intimate , more vulnerable , more aware of the challenges of being a minority founder , which creates a safe space that I desperately needed .”
“ Our program is a hands-on model ,” Favela says . “ We roll up our sleeves and sit side by side with the founders and help them chart their paths and give them different ways of thinking .”
36 SPRING 2024