Conservation-science nonprofit behind the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Runs the Frozen Zoo — the world's largest cryobank of living cell cultures (~10,000 samples across ~1,000 species), the genetic foundation for conservation genomics and cloning (the Przewalski's horse "Kurt" in 2020 and the black-footed ferret "Elizabeth Ann" in 2021 were cloned from its cell lines). An overlooked life-sciences institution anchoring San Diego's genomics cluster alongside Torrey Pines, Salk, and Sanford Burnham.

Largest independent broker-dealer in the US; legal/SEC HQ San Diego, CA, with a major regional campus in Fort Mill, SC, immediately across the state line from Charlotte and part of its metro footprint.

San Diego defense tech unicorn. AI-powered autonomous systems for defense. Hivemind: AI pilot software enabling aircraft to fly autonomously in GPS-denied environments. Founded by Brandon Tseng (ex-Navy SEAL), Ryan Tseng, Andrew Reiter. First customer: Naval Special Warfare Command (2016). $2B Series G Jan 2026 at $12.7B valuation. Projected $540M revenue 2026. 1,000+ employees. Notable investors: a16z, Hanwha Aerospace, L3Harris, Washington Harbour Partners.

Althea Technologies was a San Diego, California-based fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing clinical and commercial manufacturing of biopharmaceutical and injectable products. The company was acquired by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and its operations continue under the Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services brand.

Firestorm Labs — containerized (xCell) mobile 3D-printing drone factories for the edge; Tempest drone. Founded 2022 by Dan Magy, Ian Muceus and Chad McCoy; San Diego, CA. ~$153M total; $82M Series B led by Washington Harbour with NEA, In-Q-Tel, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Ventures, Ondas.

Redhorse Corporation — data science and digital-transformation solutions for national security, the intelligence community and federal civilian customers. Founded 2008; San Diego, CA with Arlington, VA office. Minority investment from Blue Delta Capital (Dec 2021); CEO John Zangardi (former DHS/DoD/Navy CIO).

Regional operating company (OpCo) of Sysco Corporation -- a distinct legal subsidiary per SEC filing (Exhibit 21.1, FY2020 10-K), serving the Sysco San Diego area.

Makes human-grade dehydrated, dry, and wet pet food, treats, and supplements sold under a "human-grade" quality standard.

XiFin is a San Diego, California-based healthcare information technology company and leading provider of SaaS-based revenue cycle management (RCM) and workflow automation solutions. The company empowers healthcare organizations to navigate complex billing and operational challenges across diagnostics and specialty pharmacy.