A Community of Capital and Support
We’re a network of founders, funders, and ecosystem builders investing in each other - and in the communities where innovation takes root. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Why We Exist
Rising Tide Partners was built by founders, operators, and investors who believe in showing up, doing the work, and building what lasts. Too often, capital is disconnected from community, and founders are left to build in isolation. We exist to change that.
We believe that when founders are supported not just by capital, but by people who’ve walked in their shoes - and when cities and communities actively nurture entrepreneurship - we all succeed together.
What We Do
Rising Tide is a platform where capital meets community. We combine investment, advisory, programming, and storytelling into one founder- and ecosystem-first approach.
Here’s how we build:
Invest: We deploy capital through a community-powered syndicate, fund, and SPVs, backing mission-driven founders across industries.
Advise: We work with civic leaders, universities, and organizations to design and activate startup ecosystems from the ground up.
Build Programs: We design and operate incubators, accelerators, and other founder-focused initiatives tailored to community needs.
Amplify: Through our newsletter, podcast, events, and media, we share the stories of builders and the communities that support them.
Who We Serve
FOUNDERS.
We back bold builders with capital, community, and real operational support. If you’re doing the work, we want to work with you.
INVESTORS.
We’re a network of operators, exited founders, and advisors investing in the next generation - together. If you want to invest alongside people who’ve built before, let’s talk.
COMMUNITY & CIVIC PARTNERS.
We help cities, universities, and organizations design ecosystems that attract and support startups. Whether you’re building from scratch or looking to grow your innovation footprint, we can help.
How We Show Up
These are the principles that guide us every day:
Do the Work – No armchair investing. We roll up our sleeves.
Build What Lasts – Long-term thinking over hype cycles.
Be in Community – Relationships come before transactions.
Share the Upside – Our model thrives on collaboration, not gatekeeping.
Meet The Team
Neal Bloom
Managing Partner
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, engineering, and economic development. He previously co-founded Interlock Capital, where he led dozens of syndicated 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’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.