Neal Bloom

Community‑first investor and ecosystem builder — Neal combines media, events, and capital to surface and support early‑stage founders across Southern California. Through Fresh Brewed Tech / Bloombites, the Tacos & Tech podcast, Rising Tide Partners and Interlock Capital, he curates deal flow, hosts founder gatherings, and advises institutions on building innovation districts. substack+2

Operator background with technical credibility — Bloom began his career as an aerospace/mechanical engineer (Pratt & Whitney/Aerojet Rocketdyne), contributing to Space Shuttle engine programs before moving into startups. That technical foundation underpins his credibility with deep‑tech founders and engineering talent. uci+1

Serial founder and builder in talent/edtech — He co‑founded Portfolium to help students market project work to employers, later helping scale talent marketplaces (including roles at Hired). These experiences shaped his focus on early‑career talent pipelines and founder‑market fit for hiring and go‑to‑market programs. upside+1

Hands‑on community leadership and board work — Beyond investing and publishing, Bloom has served in leadership roles for nonprofit and community groups (Startup San Diego), mentored through university programs, and taken board roles with local startups to accelerate growth and strategic partnerships. startupsd+2