Neal Bloom is a founder, investor, and ecosystem builder focused on powering what’s next, by investing in people and building communities that last.
As the managing partner of Rising Tide Partners, Neal leads a community-driven investment firm that backs world-class technologists, advises cities and innovation districts, and builds programs that connect capital with conviction.
Neal’s career spans startups, venture capital, aerospace engineering, and economic development. He previously co-founded Interlock Capital, where he led dozens of investments and helped grow a trusted network of operator-investors. Before that, he built and sold Portfolium, a student-focused career tool and Hired.com, the tech-talent marketplace, and spent years leading one of the country’s most active regional tech ecosystems in San Diego.
He also launched 84 astronauts to space. But that’s for another story.
He’s known for creating platforms that scale trust - from early-stage investment groups to founder-first accelerators, policy initiatives, and city partnerships. His work has helped raise millions in capital, create thousands of jobs, and foster a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors.
When he’s not connecting founders and funders, Neal hosts the Tacos & Tech podcast, writes on community and capital, and occasionally runs dozens of miles along the California coast.
Why Subscribe?
If you’ve been around me for more than five minutes, you know I live at the intersection of founders, funders, and the communities that help them thrive. My newsletter is your direct line into that ecosystem.
Here’s what you’ll get:
Bloombites – My weekly dispatch on what’s happening across the innovation landscape, with a San Diego heartbeat but a global reach. It’s curated from the conversations I have with founders, investors, and ecosystem builders every week — the stuff you won’t find in press releases.
Event Invites – First access to my curated gatherings, from intimate founder dinners to large-scale tech meetups. Paid subscribers get early-bird access and occasional invite-only events.
Podcast Access – New episodes of Tacos and Tech and special one-off interviews with leaders building game-changing companies and communities.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights – Real stories and learnings from my work building Rising Tide Partners, investing in early-stage companies, creating the community that helps founders succeed, and ecosystem growth learnings.
Opportunities You Can Act On – Whether it’s a founder raising, a role opening at a breakout company, or a fund looking for LPs, I’ll surface it.
Free subscribers get the weekly Bloombites and the publicly listed event news.
Paid subscribers get it all — plus deeper founder and investor analysis, special reports, and first access to my highest-value events and opportunities. Think of it as a front-row seat (and sometimes a backstage pass) to the innovation ecosystem.
If you want to stay connected, learn what’s really happening, and be part of a community that believes a rising tide lifts all boats — hit subscribe.
