Daily Business Report — Jan. 10, 2011

Big Gains Seen in New Start-Up Companies in San Diego

A total of 94 new technology start-ups were formed in San Diego in the third quarter of last year — an increase of nearly 50 percent from the second quarter and a jump of more than 20 percent from the third quarter of 2009, according to a newly released third quarter innovation report by CONNECT. The companies created more than 330 new jobs in San Diego, an increase of 33 percent over the 250 new jobs created in the second quarter, the report said. (The third quarter figures are the most recent available.)

Recent data commissioned by CONNECT from the National University System for Policy Research (NUSPR) shows that although San Diego’s tech sector represents only 6 percent of employers and just over 11 percent of all jobs in the county, tech employment accounts for over 25 percent of all wages and pays almost 95 percent than the overall average industry wage.

“Since the beginning of 2010 we have seen a major reversal of the three quarter decline in 2009 in the number of start-ups. We are hoping this is a sign of the growing economy,” said Kelly Cunningham, economist and senior fellow at the National University System Institute for Policy Research. “The third quarter of 2010 almost tripled the low point in the first quarter, and was the fifth highest quarter recorded in the past six years. The pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device category of tech start-ups exhibited the most growth so far in 2010. This sector holds considerable potential for the nation’s economic future, with San Diego continuing to be a prominent

leader in this specific category of tech start-up.”

According to the report, San Diego accounted for 13 percent of new technology businesses in California in the third quarter of 2010, ranking third after Los Angeles and Santa Clara County. San Diego had 94 start-ups, up almost 50 percent from 64 in the previous quarter while Los Angeles had 143 new companies and Santa Clara had 95 in the third quarter of 2010. Orange County ranked fourth with 80.

“There were substantial increases in the third quarter in the number of new companies compared to the second quarter of 2010 across almost all tech sectors,” the report said. “San Diego’s pharma/bio/medical devices (life sciences) sector ranked first statewide with 33 new companies, more than double the 15 established in the second quarter of 2010. Los Angeles followed with 27 and Santa Clara ranked third with 25 new life sciences companies.

San Diego ranked third statewide in new software companies in the third quarter with 24 new companies after Los Angeles with 43 and Santa Clara with 32. The number of San Diego software start-ups was similar to the second quarter total of 25. San Diego’s communications sector ranked second along with Orange County in the state with 16 start-ups after Los Angeles with 31. San Diego led the state with eight new recreational goods manufacturing companies followed by Los Angeles and Orange County with seven each. Santa Clara led the computer and electronics sector with 20 new companies followed by Los Angeles with 13 and San Diego with 10.

San Diego’s SeaBotix Acquired by Bolt Technology Corp.

Connecticut-based Bolt Technology Corp. has acquired SeaBotix, a privately owned San Diego company that makes and sells underwater remotely operated vehicle systems called Little Benthic Vehicles (LBVs). SeaBotix, which was established in 2001, will continue to operate in San Diego as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bolt, a manufacturer of marine seismic acquisition equipment used for offshore exploration for oil and gas. The SeaBotix LBVs are used for a variety of underwater tasks such as maritime security, search and recovery, aquaculture, scientific research, hydro and nuclear energy applications, forensic investigations and inspections of off-shore oil and gas drilling platforms and pipelines.

The company said the LBVs are designed for observation and light-duty operations, and can be equipped with a variety of sensors including high-definition video cameras, imaging sonar, tracking systems, as well as various tools such as multifunction grabbers and cutting heads. A patented Crawler system offered in certain LBVs is designed to allow for precise and complete underwater ship hull inspections. Financial details of the sale were not disclosed.

Colliers International Adds Vice Presidents

Jay Arnett and Adam Molnar have joined Colliers International in San Diego as senior vice presidents. Arnett will focus on sales and leasing of office, R&D and industrial properties. Molnar will focus on the leasing and sales of industrial properties in North County. Arnett previously was with Cushman and Wakefield (formerly Burnham Real Estate) for over 27 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara. Molnar was with Coldwell Banker Commercial North County Properties and was a partner at Lee and Associates. He graduated from University of Cincinnati.

S.D. Harbor Excursion is Now Flagship Cruises & Events

San Diego Harbor Excursion is celebrating its 95th anniversary with a new name — Flagship Cruises & Events. The new name, said CEO Arthur Engel, “more closely reflects the wide array of amazing experiences that we offer today.” Besides the San Diego harbor cruises, the company offers holiday parties, dinner cruises, corporate events, weddings, brunches, whale watching, ferry services, shopping plus ancillary businesses such as the Bay Café and he Glorietta Gift Shop.

Governor’s San Diego Office to Close

Gov. Jerry Brown announced that he is closing the governor’s offices in San Diego, Fresno and Riverside as part of his plan to cut his office spending by 25 percent. The 2010 budget act included $18 million for the governor’s office. Brown’s cuts will bring that down to $13.4 million.

Point Loma Nazarene Opens Application for Fellowship

Point Loma Nazarene University is accepting applications for its 2011 Kyoto Prize Symposium Journalism Fellowship — an educational experience to add to a journalist’s knowledge in technology, science and the arts by attending the Kyoto Prize Symposium in San Diego on April 3-8. The fellowship will fund travel, lodging and per-diem expenses for the journalist to meet the latest Kyoto Prize laureates and participate in their workshops and presentations at San Diego State University, UCSD and the University of San Diego. Candidates must apply by Jan. 21 at pointloma.edu/kyotoprize.

The most recent Kyoto Prize laureates are Shinya Yamanaka, a senior  investigator at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease in San Francisco;  László Lovász, a mathematician demonstrating outstanding contributions to the advancement of both the academic and technological possibilities of the mathematical sciences; and William Kentridge, a visual artist who has opened new creative avenues by fusing traditional drawing techniques with animation, video projection, stage direction and writing.

Small Business Workshops

SCORE San Diego has scheduled January workshops to help small business owners and those interested in starting a small business. Fees range from $29 to $109. For more information, call (619) 557-7272. To register for a workshop online, visit scoresandiego.org.

Upcoming SCORE San Diego Workshops:

• Jan. 12 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).

•  Jan. 12 – How to Start a Nonprofit – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

•  Jan. 13 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Jan. 14 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Contracts and Leases – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 15 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 18 – Restaurant 101 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 19 – Internet Marketing 301: Increase Sales Through Pay-Per-Click – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 20 – Internet Marketing 101: Use the Internet to Successfully Marketing Your Business – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 21 – Women’s Networking Breakfast – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; pre-paid registration $30 by Jan. 18, $40 thereafter).

• Jan. 21 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; no charge – please pre-register).

• Jan. 24 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 24 – Insurance: What You Need to Know – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 25 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 26 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Jan. 26 – Good Governance for Nonprofits: Effective Board Performance – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Jan. 27 – Internet Marketing 302: Develop a Winning E-mail Marketing Success Strategy – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Jan. 27 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Jan. 28 – Marketing and Contracting with State and Local Governments – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Jan. 31 – Intellectual Property: Promise and Practicalities – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

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