{"id":964123,"date":"2026-07-28T07:19:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T07:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/964123\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T07:19:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T07:19:32","slug":"where-san-diego-seniors-find-support-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/964123\/","title":{"rendered":"Where San Diego Seniors Find Support and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego\u2019s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year\u2019s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.<\/p>\n

Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation<\/a> (EDC) and JPMorganChase<\/a>, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego\u2019s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.<\/p>\n

Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo\u2019s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cSan Diego\u2019s strength comes from its makers and builders\u2014the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,\u201d says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. \u201cThese awards aren\u2019t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region\u2019s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Matt Furman Photography<\/p>\n

Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy<\/p>\n

Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy<\/a> has grown alongside the country\u2019s rapid investment in renewable power. \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,\u201d says CEO George Hershman. \u201cThe business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.<\/p>\n

Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company\u2019s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. \u201cOur intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,\u201d Hershman says. \u201cLast year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce\u2014the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time<\/p>\n

Startup honoree La Jolla Labs<\/a> is tackling one of medicine\u2019s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases\u2014many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient\u2019s specific genetic mutation.<\/p>\n

CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. \u201cWe\u2019re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients\u2019 lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Grossman credits San Diego\u2019s concentration of research institutions\u2014including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research\u2014with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. \u201cSan Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,\u201d she says. \u201cWe have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. \u201cYou can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a caf\u00e9, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,\u201d Grossman says. \u201cThat\u2019s something very unique to San Diego.\u201d<\/p>\n

Powering San Diego\u2019s Special Celebrations<\/p>\n

While Snake Oil Venue Company<\/a> may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station\u2014more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,\u201d says CEO Mike Esposito. \u201cI really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego\u2019s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. \u201cWe get to celebrate people\u2019s most important moments,\u201d Esposito says. \u201cWhether that\u2019s a wedding, celebration of life, or quincea\u00f1era, we\u2019re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MattMatt Furman Photography<\/p>\n

Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business<\/p>\n

Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection<\/a> is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.<\/p>\n

Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Aloha\u2019 is part of our name, but it\u2019s also how we move through the world,\u201d says CEO Lynna Barnard. \u201cIt\u2019s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.\u201d Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think what\u2019s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,\u201d Barnard says. \u201cIt\u2019s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego\u2019s economy\u2014not only through the jobs and revenue they generate\u2014but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn\u2019t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.<\/p>\n

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