Daily Business Report: Friday, Aug. 20, 2021
Qualcomm unveils world’s first 5G
and AI-compatible drone platform
ITPro
Qualcomm has launched the world’s first autonomous drone platform, and reference design, that offers both 5G and AI capabilities to boost the development of drones for commercial purposes and enterprises.
The Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform, build on the foundations of the firm’s premium robotics platform, offers computing at low power with AI, 5G and long-range Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
This system aims to enhance the development of commercial, enterprise and industrial drones while unlocking innovation within industries hoping to adopt drones in some capacity.
The Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform offers high performance at ultra-low power consumption, which provides sufficient efficiency at the edge for AI and machine learning (ML) to render drones fully autonomous. Camera capabilities, described as a breakthrough, also deliver sharp images and improved performance against existing technology.
PHOTO: Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G reference drone (Photo courtesy of Qualcomm Technologies)
San Diego’a LifeProof reuses ocean-based recycled
plastic to create cases for Apple products
In just over a year, more than 37,500 pounds of ocean-based plastic has been repurposed into cases for Apple-made products by San Diego-based LifeProof. There’s the Eco-Friendly Case for Apple Watch, AirPods and AirPods Pro, and Eco-Friendly Band for Apple Watch. All are made of ocean-based recycled plastics.
“LifeProof was born from the ocean with waterproof cases, and it is our responsibility to protect those waters that are so dear to us,” said Jim Parke, LifeProof CEO. “These new designs align with everything that we stand for – uncompromised protection and a dedication to help preserve our ocean by building cases from ocean-based recycled plastic.”
California’s top business leader retires on high note
Allen Zaremberg to leave California Chamber of Commerce
By Dan Walters | CalMatters
Over the last four decades, hundreds of politicians have come and gone from the Capitol and its political ambience has undergone a dramatic transformation. Allan Zaremberg has not only seen it all, but has hugely influenced what did or didn’t happen.
This week, Zaremberg announced that he will soon retire after more than two decades as CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce and previous stints as a chamber lobbyist and high-ranking aide to two Republican governors, George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson.
Donna Lucas, a public relations executive who chairs the chamber’s board and herself has been a prominent Capitol figure during those decades, wasn’t blowing smoke when she said, “CalChamber and Allan Zaremberg have been one and the same for more than two decades. His effectiveness in representing California’s business community is legendary and he created models for success that are now common practice.”
Cal State San Marcos becomes part of
iPad program to help bridge digital divide
Cal State San Marcos is doing its part to help bridge the digital divide that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
CSUSM is one of eight campuses participating in a California State University initiative called CSUCCESS (California State University Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success) that aims to enhance student achievement and create more equitable opportunities for the CSU community by providing industry-leading technology.
Under the program, all CSUSM first-year and transfer students can register to receive a new iPad bundle, which includes a 64-gigabyte iPad Air, an Apple Smart Keyboard Folio and an Apple Pencil, as well as technology support from Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS).
Restaurant complex to replace Denny’s
at Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard
By Dave Schwab | sdnews.com
Several distinct eateries under one roof sharing a kitchen to be named Mission + Garnet will replace the vacant Denny’s on the corner of Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard.
That business model is being employed by restaurateur Scott Slater owner of Head Lettuce, Spitfire Tacos, and Earlybird Breakfast Burritos in La Jolla, for redeveloping that prime corner in the heart of PB’s business district.
The half-century-old Denny’s at 800 Garnet Ave. closed for repairs and remodeling following a suspected arson-set kitchen fire in October 2018. That fire caused an estimated $850,000 in damages. The restaurant never reopened, as Denny’s franchisee Jeff Jones was unable to renew his lease.
Brokered by Next Wave Commercial’s Nate Benedetto, the new 4,000-square-foot restaurant space to be renovated on the marquee corner will also offer the latest in food ordering technology, with a planned opening set for May 2022.
East County community college district
appoints Michele Clock as a new director
A former community engagement manager with the County of San Diego is the new Director of Public Information, Government Relations and Community Relations at the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Michele Clock’s appointment was approved by the district’s governing board.
Clock comes to the district from the County of San Diego, where she most recently served as program manager in San Diego County Fire’s Community Risk Reduction Division.
There, she and her team of four employees developed programs aimed at preventing wildfire and strengthening community readiness.
A program she launched during the pandemic last year won a 2021 National Association of Counties Achievement Award.
Clock replaces Anne Krueger, who recently retired after serving as the district’s director of public information and communications for nearly a decade.
Illumina acquires GRAIL to accelerate
patient access to early cancer detection
Illumina Inc. announced Wednesday that it has acquired GRAIL, a health care company focused on life-saving early detection of multiple cancers, but will hold GRAIL as a separate company during the European Commission’s ongoing regulatory review.
Illumina, a leader in DNA sequencing, first announced its intention to acquire GRAIL nearly a year ago, reuniting Illumina with GRAIL four years after it was spun off. GRAIL’s Galleri blood test detects 50 different cancers before they are symptomatic.
Regulators in the EU are reviewing the transaction, but Illumina contends that GRAIL has no business in the EU, and the EU Commission does not have jurisdiction to review the merger.
Connect All @ the Jacobs Center accepting
applications for fall 2021 Business Accelerator Program
CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort.
The group will be the first in over a year to be welcomed back to the program’s co-working space on at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center.
The business accelerator program – designed to help local low-to-moderate income startups quickly scale their businesses – has assisted 52 local startups since it opened in 2019.
After just over two years, the free business accelerator program’s impact has included:
• Working with 25 female head of household business owners and 44 low-to-moderate income business owners
• Awarding $65,000 in grants to program participants in the Union Bank Start-Up Pitch Competitions
For local entrepreneurs, the applications for the next cohort are due Aug. 30. To learn more or apply for the program, visit connectallsd.org.
Jack in the Box awards 16 franchise development
agreement to open 64 new restaurants
Jack in the Box Inc. announced Wednesday it has awarded 16 franchise development agreements year-to-date through the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 to build 64 new locations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Texas and Utah. The announcement follows the relaunch of Jack in the Box’s franchise development program earlier this year encouraging existing and new franchisees to grow with the brand.
Following an impressive third quarter in which franchise same-store sales increased 10.3 percent, Jack in the Box is now ramping up development and looking to penetrate markets and build brand awareness. As part of the development agreements, Jack in the Box will enter Salt Lake City, Chicago and Louisville for the first time. The brand will also expand existing footprints in Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Dallas, among other cities.
San Diego County Credit Union honored
with Dora Maxwell Award for bus campaign
San Diego County Credit Union has been honored with a state-level 2021 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award in the Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) Awards for its 2020 Stuff the Bus campaign. The state-level first place win will advance SDCCU to the national competition later this year.
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award is presented to credit unions that demonstrate outstanding social responsibility projects within the community. Dora Maxwell was an early credit union pioneer, and was one of the original signers of CUNA’s constitutions at Estes Park in Colorado. She worked as an organizer for the movement’s trade association and held numerous volunteer positions at the local and national level.
Jacumba project wins county approval
despite fierce fight from residents
inewsource.org
In a 5-0 vote, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a highly contested solar farm project in Jacumba Hot Springs that is set to become the largest-ever in the county.
The supervisors’ approval requires the developer to increase the cash it provides to the community from $1.6 million to $4 million and to increase the buffer space between homes and the solar panels from 300 to 400 feet or more.
Chicago’s Highmetric acquires San Diego’s NewRocket
Highmetric, a Chicago technology strategy, design and operations provider, has acquired San Diego-based NewRocket, an industry leader in delivering world-class employee experiences on the ServiceNow platform. This acquisition brings NewRocket’s user-focused design and innovative solutions to Highmetric, complementing its existing digital workflow optimization capabilities.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Highmetric is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm.
As part of the transaction, Nathan Firth, president and principal engineer at NewRocket, will join Highmetric as chief creative officer.
Imageware and Four Points Technology
awarded $2.7 million federal contract
San Diego-based Imageware and Four Points Technology were awarded a three-year, $2.7 million contract by The Department of Veteran Affairs under Four Points Technology’s NASA SEWP V contract for support of its Personal Identification Verification card program.
The contract is for software and support services that are required to deliver biometrically-enabled credentials to the PIV smart cards. It covers a total of one base year with two, one-year option periods to provide biometric leasing support and enhanced security for contractors, employees, and agency facilities.
