Tacos and Tech Podcast

Listen & subscribe on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1374814595], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PdtE1ygmW1Ttx21pVTcxb?si=5VyfhTJyRLmnzTMXPPEaUQ], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@freshbrewedtech], and other platforms. [https://plinkhq.com/i/1374814595?to=page]   Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News! I’m Neal Bloom [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom/] from Rising Tide Partners [http://risingtidepartners.co/] and the Tacos and Tech Podcast [https://freshbrewedtech.substack.com/]. My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredgrier/], journalist and author of The Business of San Diego [https://sdfounders.substack.com/] substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter. Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!   July 11 * Funding: * Firestorm $47m Series A [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firestorm-labs-announces-47-million-series-a-funding-to-accelerate-growth-and-innovation-in-defense-technology-302506303.html] * Field Medical raises again [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-salemi-7118948_medtech-pulsedfieldablation-pulsedfieldablation-activity-7346259314199736323-bAEc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIYYTsBWG0XzvPgbFiY026NaFV3qb3lx1E] * Tang Capital acquires [https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/fund-gobbling-bay-area-biotech-20761986.php] * SoftEye acquired [https://www.sdbj.com/technology/smart-play/]   * AI Launches: * Trust & Will launches new AI platform [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/05/havent-made-a-will-yet-san-diego-startup-has-new-ai-tool-to-help/] * Wealth tech Copia AI new partnership [https://www.sdbj.com/finance/copia-champions-ai-wealth-management-model/] * Comma AI valued at $1B [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7349126667010809857?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_updateV2%3A%28urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7349126667010809857%2CFEED_DETAIL%2CEMPTY%2CDEFAULT%2Cfalse%29] * Clickup’s AI Agent gets top ranking by G2 [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/zebevansclickup_2-months-ago-we-launched-clickup-agents-activity-7346204712020398082-8tBG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIYYTsBWG0XzvPgbFiY026NaFV3qb3lx1E] * Atrium Energy powering commercial properties [https://www.sdbj.com/technology/clean-tech/commercial-energy-monitoring-startup-saving-businesses-money/] * Alexandria Signs 466k Lease with Big Pharma [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alexandria-real-estate-equities-inc-executes-largest-life-science-lease-in-company-history-with-longtime-multinational-pharmaceutical-tenant-for-a-466-598-rsf-build-to-suit-research-hub-at-the-campus-point-megacampus-in-san-dieg-302503652.html] * Oku launches into Sprouts [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7351227792228831233?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_updateV2%3A%28urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7351227792228831233%2CFEED_DETAIL%2CEMPTY%2CDEFAULT%2Cfalse%29] * Modal AI in the new U.S. Defense Department video [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sweetc_we-are-in-the-video-i-am-so-excited-modalai-ugcPost-7349574985390116864-Ylkh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIYYTsBWG0XzvPgbFiY026NaFV3qb3lx1E]   Curated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote [https://howl.thesocialcoyote.com/subscribe?ref=iuwJfpRRW8]

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Arman and Andrew, of Podhaus, a full-service podcast production studio based in Burbank, CA. From launching just before COVID to building one of LA’s most sought-after recording spaces, the duo shares how they went from music engineering and tech backgrounds to building a creative business in the heart of the media capital, Burbank, CA. We dive into what makes a podcast studio succeed, how to think about production versus authenticity, and why audio always matters more than video. Plus, we get real about gear recommendations for on-location podcasting, changes in podtech like Substack and Spotify, and what it takes to attract the right clients - from beginners to corporate teams. Key Topics Covered * The unexpected origins of Podhaus - and how it pivoted from a music studio to podcast-only * The difference between polished production and authentic podcasting - and why authenticity wins * Why good audio trumps everything else (yes, even video) * Three studio setups Podhaus offers and how creators pick their aesthetic * Who the ideal client is (hint: it’s not always beginners) * Studio tips for on-location recording (gear, lighting, and sound) * Tech trends: Substack’s clip editor, Spotify’s new comment features, and the race to own podcaster workflows * Favorite LA taco spots from classic lengua to artisanal lamb Links & Resources * Podhaus [https://www.thepodhaus.com/] Connect with Arman & Andrew * Arman Zeytounyan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeytounyan/] * Andrew Zeytounyan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-zeytounyan-b33558180/] Connect with Neal Bloom * LinkedIn: Neal Bloom [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom/] * Twitter: @NealBloom [https://twitter.com/nealbloom]

Listen & subscribe on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1374814595], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PdtE1ygmW1Ttx21pVTcxb?si=5VyfhTJyRLmnzTMXPPEaUQ], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@freshbrewedtech], and other platforms. [https://plinkhq.com/i/1374814595?to=page] Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News! I’m Neal Bloom [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom/] from Rising Tide Partners [http://risingtidepartners.co] and the Tacos and Tech Podcast [https://freshbrewedtech.substack.com/]. My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredgrier/], journalist and author of The Business of San Diego [https://sdfounders.substack.com/] substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter. Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!   July 7 Events debrief - Andy Ballester/SD Tech Founders event Macro market is feeling positive Carlsmed files for IPO [https://evonexus.org/news/evonexus-company-went-from-2-founders-to-filing-for-ipo-in-6-years/] Capstan Thera acquired [https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/abbvie-buy-capstan-therapeutics-up-21-billion-2025-06-30/] Aquacycl [https://www.sdbj.com/technology/clean-tech/aquacycl-not-watering-down-global-ambitions/] - International expansion through MetroConnect Blossomhill Therapuetics moves in new HQ [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/blossomhill-therapeutics-inc_we-are-thrilled-to-move-into-our-new-headquarters-activity-7346567069431230464-FJLl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACPmcl8BgwwKsYKSo1Ip6YGeR4HZ3Cly_70]   Fundings: Gallant Therapeutics [https://www.gallant.com/] - $18M Arialys Therapeutics [https://www.arialysrx.com/] - $14M Kelly Slater moved his brand to SD [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/03/why-kelly-slater-moved-headquarters-of-his-sustainable-clothing-brand-from-l-a-to-san-diego/]   Curated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote [https://howl.thesocialcoyote.com/subscribe?ref=iuwJfpRRW8] July 8 - Afternoon Founders Hike [https://eventship.com/event/07-08-25-sd-founders-afternoon-hike-july-2025] July 29 - Dev & Data x CTO Talks: Healthtech Night - link coming soon

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom chats with Jeremy Yamaguchi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyyamaguchi/], Founder and CEO of Cabana. A longtime builder in the home services space, Jeremy is now focused on modernizing the pool care industry, one of the largest yet most overlooked service sectors in the U.S. Jeremy shares how his product and marketing background led him to build Cabana with a blend of operational efficiency, software tooling, and local team empowerment. He dives into his strategy around vertical SaaS, customer experience, and the importance of trust and taste when scaling service-based businesses. Key Topics Covered * Why the pool industry is primed for tech-enabled reinvention * Cabana’s approach to building a national brand through software and service * How acquisitions, W-2 teams, and onboarding systems set Cabana apart * Why founder psychology and team culture matter in field operations * Applying tech tools (including ML) to streamline quoting and scheduling * Lessons from going through Y Combinator * What “slope over Y-intercept” really means in early team building * Jeremy’s San Diego taco go-to and what makes a taco technically superior Links & Resources * Cabana Pools [https://www.cabanapools.com] Connect with Jeremy * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyyamaguchi/] Connect with Neal Bloom * LinkedIn: Neal Bloom [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom/] * Twitter: @NealBloom [https://x.com/NealBloom]

Listen & subscribe on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1374814595], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PdtE1ygmW1Ttx21pVTcxb?si=5VyfhTJyRLmnzTMXPPEaUQ], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@freshbrewedtech], and other platforms. [https://plinkhq.com/i/1374814595?to=page] Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News! I’m Neal Bloom [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom/] from Rising Tide Partners [http://risingtidepartners.co] and the Tacos and Tech Podcast [https://freshbrewedtech.substack.com/]. My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredgrier/], journalist and author of The Business of San Diego [https://sdfounders.substack.com/] substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter. Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community! June 27 Dr Squatch acq again, this time for $2B [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/britains-unilever-acquire-mens-personal-123131129.html?guccounter=1] IPOs [https://x.com/shaig/status/1937888594158318069] - Chime, Coreweave, eToro, Circle doing well and Wealthfront just filed. Quidel acquired LEX [https://ir.quidelortho.com/news/news-release-details/2025/QuidelOrtho-Announces-Strategy-to-Accelerate-Growth-in-Molecular-Diagnostics/default.aspx] New Insulin results [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/23/long-lasting-insulin-takes-another-step-forward-with-latest-clinical-trial-results/] Fundings: Clearspeed [https://www.clearspeed.com/] series D Firestorm raised new funds, according to SEC filing [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1964095/000196409525000003/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml] Lilo of Carlsbad wins a Michelin Star [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/25/carlsbads-newly-opened-lilo-restaurant-crowned-with-a-michelin-star/] Deloitte Fast 500 [https://fast500.awardsplatform.com/] nominations open   Curated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote [https://howl.thesocialcoyote.com/subscribe?ref=iuwJfpRRW8] June 27 - Pitch Night at Bermuda Club [https://eventship.com/event/06-26-25-bermuda-club-presents-pitch-connect-night] July 1 - SD Tech Founders with Andy Ballester, GoFundMe and Eyepop AI co-founder [https://eventship.com/event/07-01-25-sd-tech-founders-presents-a-fireside-chat-with-andy-ballester-co-founder-of-gofundme-eyepop-ai] July 4 - Founders Hike [https://eventship.com/event/07-04-25-sd-founders-hike-july-2025] July 8 - Afternoon Founders Hike [https://eventship.com/event/07-08-25-sd-founders-afternoon-hike-july-2025]July 29 - Dev & Data x CTO Talks: Healthtech Night - link coming soon