Mike Krenn

About Mike Krenn

Leading the effort to make San Diego better for future generations. Founder of NuFund (formerly Tech Coast Angels -1996) one of the first angel networks in the country. Founder of what is now EvoNexus (formerly CommNexus -1998). Founded the Venture Pipeline group the first venture business unit inside a law firm (2001). Led inflow of VCs to San Diego with launch of Cool Co\'s program in 2015 - dragging VCs to to SD. Ran sassy billboards on the 101, and a job fair across the street from Google, attracting engineers to SD (2016). Led San Diego to be the first city with an office in SF - free for startups to use (2017). In 2022 - we launched the biggest SD innovation in the region\'s history, taking over Petco Park for Innovation Day. Launched coolest needle-moving DEI program (XEO) in 2022. Launching TreeLady project in 2024. We now bring over 200 VCs to San Diego annually. SD went from a $1B market to $5B+ I have been fortunate to work with hundreds of entrepreneurs, helping 100+ companies raise startup capital, in excess of $1B (No BS). And. with my amazing Connect team, we do it all for FREE. All for the good of San Diego\'s startup and innovation ecosystem. No other city i know has anything like Connect. It\'s genuine, and amazing. I also have experience (and empathy) with start-ups, having worked as a COO at a startup. I\'ve raised venture. And I\'m a small LP in Sequoia fund XII - which on social media makes me a VC i hear (haha). I like do-ers. I like good humans. Social media likes are not the equivalent of social good doing. I like those that move the needle in the right way. People who care more about the next gen than likes on social media.I\'m also just a guy. I abhor arrogance. We can all make good sh#t happen. Especially together.I used to be pretty good at basketball. No offense to the other Mike, but they called me Skinny Mike. Anyway. I\'ve done some things. Spoken a lot. Sat on lots of boards and committees. Got some awards. Yada yada. Best of all, i was once labeled a \"bargain\" by my kids. Working to do my part in an effort to get them the San Diego they deserve!

Experience

1. Founder

   Tl Foundation

   Jan 2024 — Present · San Diego, CA, US

   Founder of world\'s first regional philanthropic investment fund. We are building a better San Diego for future generations. Our mission is to create a strong, resilient innovation economy, and to grow economic opportunity for all families and community members across the entirety of the San Diego region. We invest just like a venture fund. Except:(1) we only invest in regional San Diego startups. And (2) all returns go right back into the fund, to create an evergreen growing fund that then reinvests those returns back into San Diego - in perpetuity. As CEO, i take zero salary, with no carry, no management fee. We are a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible. Visit us at tlfund.org and come help us make a long lasting meaningful impact.

Education

• San Diego State University

  MS, Mass Communication / Marketing

  1991 — 1993

• San Diego State University

  BS, Business Administration / Marketing

  1984 — 1989

Skills

• Program Management
• Lead Generation
• Strategic Planning
• Corporate Development
• Corporate Law
• Executive Management
• Legal Marketing
• Business Planning
• Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing
• Venture Capital
• Training
• Market Research
• New Business Development
• Corporate Governance
• Strategy
• Advertising
• Licensing
• Professional Services
• Mergers
• Business Development
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Joint Ventures
• Intellectual Property
• Leadership
• Negotiation
• Sales
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy
• Strategic Partnerships
• Angel Investing
• B2b
• Product Management