Panel of experts:
Matt Abbondanzio: Director of Design and Innovation
Anthony Potamianos: Venture capitalist and current LJCDS parent
Greg McKee: CEO of Connect and current LJCDS parent
Paul Roben: Associate vice chancellor for Innovation and Technology Commercialization at UC San Diego
Bob Kain: Former chief engineering officer at Illumina, president of Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness Center and current LJCDS parent
Torrey Explorer's Fund
About the Fund
Have an idea? The Torrey Explorer’s Fund (TEF) is a venture capital fund for students of La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). Whether students seek to start a business, launch a social campaign, invent a technology or create an art installation, TEF will offer mentorship by a team of local entrepreneurs and professionals and/or funding to help bring our students’ ideas to fruition. “Ideas worth executing.”
What will students do with this fund?
We expect that students will develop businesses, invent technologies, support local and national social needs, etc. However, this fund was not created for what we expect the students to accomplish, but for the students to accomplish something that we would have never expected.
How it Works
Students will submit their idea/project proposals to the panel at IGF@ljcds.org. Proposals will be reviewed, and students will be asked to present their project in person to the panel.
Once the proposal has been presented to the panel, students will either be asked to perform further work, given advice and guidance, or receive an offer for funding to help move their project forward.
The Future
We plan to offer this opportunity to our students indefinitely, but to do this, we're seeking the community’s support. If you’re interested in supporting this fund financially, technically and/or emotionally, please reach out to Assistant Head of School for Design and Innovation Matt Abbondanzio or Head of School Dr. Gary Krahn.
This fund is truly the beginning of inspiring greatness for a better world.
