INNOVATION NEWS

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Doug Erickson Doug Erickson

Apply to Catalyst for more than just a mere $200k

When people hear “Catalyst,” they fixate on the grants. Fair. More than $200,000 in unrestricted funding can keep an early-stage team alive long enough to build something real. But the bigger payoff is what usually takes founders years to earn: credibility, coaching, and a national stage that puts your solution in front of the people who shape policy and the wireless ecosystem.

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Doug Erickson Doug Erickson

How to Live a Meaningful Life

The #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Designing Your Life return with a groundbreaking guide to transforming your daily routine into one brimming with joy, purpose, and meaning.: How to Live a Meaningful Life

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Doug Erickson Doug Erickson

Join the Waves of Change in Biarritz France

The City of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Sister Cities Committee is forming an adult delegation to attend the three-day global Waves of Change Forum in Biarritz, France, June 1-3, 2026. As sister cities, Santa Cruz and Biarritz have much in common, in particular their desire to remain sustainable and resilient coastal towns. 

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Malina Long Malina Long

The Power of Productive Conflict

Most people instinctively avoid conflict. We've been conditioned to see disagreement as inherently negative, something to smooth over or sidestep entirely. But this aversion comes at a cost.

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Malina Long Malina Long

6 Ways Nonprofits Can Boost Fundraising with AI in 2026

If you’re like most nonprofit professionals right now, you’re hearing about AI everywhere. Maybe you’re curious. Maybe you’re skeptical. You might think it is another tech trend and it’s not important unless it can help you meet next quarter’s fundraising goals. Well… this article is for you!

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Malina Long Malina Long

7 Affordable Ways Nonprofits Can Use AI in 2026

Nonprofits don’t need big budgets to benefit from AI. This guide shares seven low-cost moves: spot major donors, triage email, draft social posts, personalize stewardship, speed grants, add website chatbots, and auto-summarize meetings. The rule: humans verify, protect data always.

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Doug Erickson Doug Erickson

JoeBen Bevirt to Young Innovators: Build Real Things

In a talk with young innovators, Joby Aviation founder JoeBen Bevirt demystifies entrepreneurship: start with real problems, prototype relentlessly, learn from failure, and build strong teams. His message: curiosity plus discipline turns ideas into impact.

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Malina Long Malina Long

Doug Erickson Named Honorary Member of UCSC NAI Chapter

Doug Erickson, Executive Director of Santa Cruz Works, has been invited to become an honorary member of UC Santa Cruz’s National Academy of Inventors Chapter, recognizing his impact on invention commercialization and the regional innovation ecosystem built through Santa Cruz Works’ growth and partnerships.

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