The next generation of founders got a firsthand look at startup life this week, as EvoNexus welcomed campers from the School of Young Entrepreneurs (SofYE) summer camp in San Diego for a special visit to our incubator.
Leading the day was Dr. Gene Dantsker, Executive Advisor of EvoNexus, who has been part of the incubator since its founding — first as a selection committee member and mentor, later as Executive-in-Residence and Chief MedTech Officer. A serial entrepreneur, advisor, and angel investor with a career spanning semiconductors, IT, medtech, and biotech, Gene has guided dozens of portfolio companies from early idea to funded venture. For one afternoon, he brought that same mentorship to a much younger audience.
Gene took these bright young minds on a tour of the EvoNexus facilities, introducing them to the culture that defines our incubator: open collaboration and world-class mentorship. He then led a masterclass on how startups and entrepreneurship really work — from spotting an opportunity and validating an idea to building a team, raising capital, and navigating the inevitable setbacks along the way.
The School of Young Entrepreneurs, the flagship program of the Promise Foundation, is a tuition-free summer camp where rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders from across San Diego learn business planning and financial literacy, develop their own business ideas, and pitch them in competition — with field trips and mentorship from local entrepreneurs along the way. Visits like this one give campers something no classroom can: a real incubator, real founders, and a real sense of what building a company takes.
At EvoNexus, giving back to the innovation ecosystem is central to who we are — and that includes inspiring the founders of tomorrow. Judging by the questions these young entrepreneurs asked, the future of San Diego’s startup community is in good hands.
About EvoNexus
EvoNexus is California’s leading nonprofit technology startup incubator, with locations in San Diego and Irvine. Since its formation in 2010, EvoNexus has successfully built 289 companies with an exceptional survival rate of over 85%, with portfolio companies securing over $2.4B in cumulative venture funding — backed by a network of more than 400 venture capital and independent investors — and achieving 63 acquisitions alongside 1 successful IPO, with additional public market exits on the horizon and over $6 billion in pre-exit valuations. Backed by an elite network of global corporate partners — including Qualcomm, AMD, BAE Systems, Viasat, ResMed, LG, Murata, and EMD Electronics — EvoNexus continues to drive massive economic impact across Southern California’s innovation economy, culminating in a record-breaking year with $619M raised in 2025 alone.