Fred Grier, a business journalist and senior associate at JLL, advises technology and life science companies on real estate expansions in San Diego. During SoCal Deep Tech Week, a panel on autonomous systems reshaping defense featured industry leaders from Saab, Picogrid, Firestorm, and Seasats. In tech funding news, maritime startup Seasats secured $89 million in SBIR funding from the U.S. Navy. Logistics tech company Alvys raised $40 million led by RTP Global, while consumer AI service Turnout secured $21 million led by Shine Capital. Ollie AI, another consumer AI startup, obtained a $5 million seed round led by Khosla Ventures. Avalon BioVentures continues its legacy in life sciences investing, building on the success of Avalon Ventures with companies like Nerio Therapeutics and Synthorx. In biotech developments, Carlsbad-based Aptera Motors began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker “SEV,” showcasing a vehicle capable of traveling up to 40 miles per day on solar power alone. In notable M&A and IPO news, former Sendlane founder Jimmy Kim hosted the second annual Commerce Roundtable in San Diego, featuring prominent figures like Gary Vaynerchuk. Avidity Biosciences celebrated the opening of its new San Diego headquarters on Callan Road.
What were the key funding, M&A, and IPO highlights in October 2025?
