Daily Business Report: April 15, 2024
New campus sculpture is first step to bringing
SDSU’s Land Acknowledgment to life
San Diego State University’s newest sculpture is helping to launch a new era of the university’s Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement, with its glowing aluminum and bronze acting as a beacon for the acknowledgement in both physical and virtual forms.
Recited at convocation, commencement and special events, and often seen in syllabi and campus email signatures, the Land Acknowledgement was introduced in recognition of SDSU’s respect for the Indigenous people who originally inhabited the land the university now occupies.
The sculpture in front of Hepner Hall, “Stargazer,” is the first installation in SDSU’s planned Living Land Acknowledgement (LLA), an art series with interactive, immersive learning experiences with real-world and virtual components to complement the written and spoken Land Acknowledgement.
“Stargazer” is installed near the Koester Memorial Sundial. Its focal point is a face angled up at the sky, perfectly positioned to do as its title suggests. Attached to “Stargazer” is a QR code that, when scanned, will lift viewers into an immersive virtual reality lesson about Kumeyaay bird songs, a rich and important component of storytelling and legacy keeping in the Kumeyaay culture.
Photo: ‘Stargazer,’ the first scupture of SDSU’s Living Land Acknowledgement project, is located near the Koester Memorial Sundial in front of Hepner Hall. (SDSU photo)
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California requires new homes to have solar panels.
Should wildfire victims get a break?
By Ryan Sabalow | CalMatters
Hundreds of homes in Joe Patterson’s Northern California Assembly district burned to the ground in the Caldor Fire. In the three years since that devastating summer, many of those rebuilding homeowners have ended up on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars, thanks to state laws that require solar panels on new homes — even on those that didn’t have them before they burned down.
“Trust me when I say this: $25,000 to build solar onto a house where people do not have solar is 100 percent an impediment to rebuilding,” Patterson, a Republican from Rocklin,
told the Assembly Natural Resources Committee last week.
Patterson’s Assembly Bill 2787, which passed the committee unanimously, would give some of those poorly-insured, low- and middle-income homeowners rebuilding after a natural disaster a break from the state’s solar-panel building requirement.
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First Class 8 heavy-duty electric freight truck
makes historic crossing of U.S.-Mexico border
San Diego Gas & Electric and Bali Express announced the historic crossing of a Class 8 heavy-duty electric freight truck from the U.S. into Mexico. The semi-truck made its maiden voyage into Mexico, marking a significant milestone as the binational region moves towards a net-zero future.These dedicated trucks will utilize recently built charging infrastructure installed by SDG&E designed to provide reliable and accessible charging options for medium- to heavy-duty electric freight trucks crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Today marks a historic milestone in our journey toward reducing emissions and paving the way for a cleaner energy future,” said Caroline Winn, chief executive officer at SDG&E. “This new electric corridor is a great example of how collaboration can create new and innovative ways to rethink how to propel our transportation systems towards electrification.
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USD introduces new dean of Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies
The University of San Diego (USD) announced the hire of Darren Kew as the new dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. He brings to USD a unique academic background and wide-ranging experience in the peacebuilding field, which combine to make him a perfect fit to lead the Kroc School. Kew is a professor and former chair of the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance, and executive director of the Center for Peace, Democracy, and Development at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Kew has also worked as an advisor on democracy and peace initiatives with the United Nations and U.S. State Department, among others. He studies conflict resolution and democratic development in Africa, and has monitored the last seven Nigerian elections.
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April 19 VIP Party sets stage for April 21
La Jolla Concourse d’Elegance automotive showcase
Set atop the seaside cliffs at Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the La Jolla Concourse d’Elegance VIP Party will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 19, marking the beginning of a weekend dedicated to world-class automotive excellence.
The Friday VIP Party leads into a weekend packed with exciting events and displays, all culminating in the prestigious showcase of timeless automotive artistry, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance 2024 on Sunday, April 21.
Recognized globally as one of the finest classic automobile showcases in the United States, the La Jolla Concours consistently draws discerning car enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s La Jolla Concours theme, celebrating the Roaring 20s and the Glamorous 30s, promises to infuse the event with a sense of yesteryear nostalgia and timeless elegance.
Whether seasoned car enthusiasts or those seeking an evening of indulgence, the Friday VIP Party promises to be an immersive experience not to be missed. Tickets are now available to purchase on the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance website for $300 per person.
For more information about the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, visit www.lajollaconcours.com
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Illumina’s planned divestment of GRAIL approved by European Commission
Illumina Inc., a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced it has received approval of its divestment plan for GRAIL from the European Commission.
Illumina continues to explore divesting GRAIL through either a trade sale or a capital markets transaction, each of which are contemplated by the plan approved by the company.
Illumina said it looks forward to working with the EC on approval of final terms consistent with the divestment plan.
Sharp Memorial Hospital among first to use new surgical robot
With a long history of performing robotic-assisted surgeries, Sharp Memorial Hospital was the first hospital in San Diego County and one of only 14 health systems in the world with early access to intuitive Surgical’s new da Vinci 5 robot. According to Sharp physicians, robot-assisted surgeries are less invasive and can lead to shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery time for patients.
UC San Diego ranks No. 5 among public universities for NIH funding
Further solidifying its status as a research powerhouse, University of California San Diego School of Medicine ranked No. 5 among public universities and No. 13 overall in National Institutess of Health funding received in 2023. UC San Diego School of Medicine secured a total of $460 million in 2023 and had eight of its programs ranked the nation’s top 10 NIH-funded departments.
Platform Science secures $125 million in funding
Local fleet management startup Platform Science recently raised $125 million from existing and new investors, bringing its valuation to $575 million. The San Diego company will use the funds to expand its Virtual Vehicle platform presence in the commercial trucking sector, and support additional partnerships with auto manufacturers.
Petco Park is MLB’s most walkable stadium
Petco Park is the most walkabel baseball stadium in America, according to Walk Score. Even in historically car-centric San Diego, the East Village area around the ballpark has developed into a pedestrian-friendly urban neighborhood like team officials pithed to voters in 1998. Petco Park is tied for the top spot among all 30 MLB stadiums, along with Boston’s Fenway Park and the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Shield AI moves into Australia with Sentient Vision Systems deal
Defense tech startup Shield AI has established a presence Down Under with a deal to acquire a local Australian imagery tech firm, the company announced. Headquartered in San Diego, Shield AI said it has entered into a “definitive agreement” to acquire Sentient Vision Systems, an Aussie firm specializing in “passive, optical detection using wide area motion imagery” with AI-enabled sensors. The acquisition will go ahead pending closing and regulatory approval, Shield AI said.
Drata Acquires Harmonize.io
Drata has acquired Harmonize.io, backed by Ripple Ventures and Array Ventures, and a trailblazer in user access governance and automation. This move not only enriches its talented team with Harmonize’s exceptional product and engineering teams but also accelerates Drata’s mission, reinforcing its position at the forefront of compliance automation.
California relaunches $250 million first-generation homebuyer program
A new state lottery system to help prospective buyers purchase their first home has gone into effect. California is giving out $250 million in down payment assistance. Th “Dream For All” program is accepting applications online. Last year, the program ran out of money in just 11 days. The program offers up to 20 percent for down payment or closing costs, not to exceed $150,000. To sign up for the lottery, go to dreamforallvoucher.org/2024.
InnoVision selected as agency of record for Tennessee-based restaurant
InnoVision Marketing Group, a San Diego-based full-servife advertising agency, has been named agency of record for Buddy’s bar-b-q, an East Tenn. bar-b-q favorite among tourists and locals alike. Through this new partnership, InnoVision Marketing Group will collaborate closely with Buddy’s bar-b-q to develop a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to assist in a rebranding campaign and its planned expansion throughout the southern U.S.
ESET earns prestigious 5-Star rating in 2024 CRN Partner Program Guide
ESET, a global leader in digital security, announced that it has once again been recognized by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, with a prestigious 5-Star rating in its 2024 Partner Program Guide. This annual guide gives solution providers and VARs essential guidance to help them explore and identify technology partners whose programs deliver the most value and strongest alignment with their business goals.
