On October 16, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorgan Chase recognized the trailblazers, innovators, rising stars, and mainstays making their mark in the local economy.
“San Diego’s companies, industries, and people are what make this region stand apart from the rest. Collectively, our nearly 60 honorees employ more than 8,200 San Diegans and contribute $1.2 billion in total payroll,” says Mark Cafferty, president & CEO, San Diego Regional EDC. “On average, they doubled their revenues in the last year and range from two to 111 years in operation—and they did all of this in a business and global climate that has made economic growth and job creation significantly more challenging.”
During the event at the Scripps Research Auditorium, six local businesses from a diverse range of industries received top honors including construction management firm Bancroft Construction Services, biotech company Element Biosciences, defense contractor GALT Aerospace, grocery store chain Jimbo’s, pharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics, and space avionics pioneer Innoflight. The honorees were selected through a rigorous nomination and judging process.
Innoflight founder and CEO Jeff Janicik along with Aaron Ryan, San Diego region manager of middle market banking at JPMorgan Chase, also spoke during the evening about the importance of attracting good talent and investing in the community.
“You’re 24/7, 365 getting that business off the ground, and over time you start to understand everything necessary to run a business in a particular location,” he shared. “The desire to be here just grew with the business. It’s about embracing where you are—and that reflects in the culture of the company.”
San Diego’s middle market companies are creating meaningful contributions in their respective industries and in the local business ecosystem. The San Diego Business Impact Awards was created to celebrate early-stage companies with deep local commitments, companies that have exceptional creativity in product development, disruptive startups, and tried and true companies that have staying power.
See More Photos From the San Diego Business Impact Awards
Photos by Kimberly Motos
