INNOVATION NEWS
We don’t only report the news, we make the news. Check out our news highlights and archive here.
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Climatize Builds Momentum With AI Expansion and Strategic Team Growth
Climatize continues to build momentum with strategic team additions, expanding AI capabilities, and strong platform performance to start the year.
The Human Advantage: An Executive Sanctuary in the Era of AI
Executive teams are invited to A.I. + Me, a curated Santa Cruz retreat (Feb 24-27) exploring human leadership in the age of AI through candid dialogue, coastal reflection, and guided facilitation by Steve Fortunato and Sasha Strauss.
NSF Funding Victory Following Letter of Support from 420 U.S. Business Leaders
More than 420 business leaders united to urge Congress to sustain National Science Foundation funding, helping avert deep proposed cuts.
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.
Roadmap 4 Innovation Launches to Preserve and Strengthen Critical Support for California Manufacturers
New nonprofit continues a 33-year legacy of technical assistance, workforce development, and operational excellence across the state
Five Student Projects Funded by 2025-26 CITRIS Tech for Social Good Program
Tech for Social Good supports cross-disciplinary student projects and events aiming to address significant social challenges with technology-based solutions.
Orbital data centers: Elon Musk’s newest “why not” and the carbon math behind it
Musk, after folding xAI into SpaceX, is pitching “data centers in space”: satellite-based compute powered by solar energy to dodge Earth’s grid and politics. It’s alluring, messy, and launch-heavy: ~580 car-years of CO2 per Falcon Heavy launch.
UCSC’s “Science in the Neighboorhood” Series Invites Community to Explore Cutting Edge Research
Interested in learning about the latest scientific research and innovations? Check out UC Santa Cruz’s Science in the Neighborhood series!
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
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.
Murray Street Bridge: Petition and Common Sense Prevail
Community pressure paid off: the Murray Street Bridge moves toward a two-way automated signal. A petition helped common sense win, proving local engagement can change outcomes. More green lights ahead.
9th Annual Titans Awards Celebration Videos and Recap
Thank you to all who joined us last night for the 2025 Titans Awards! We include individual videos of each Titan, and a smattering of photos.
ICEout.tech: Tech Workers Condemn White House Compliance
Tech workers are speaking out after deadly ICE actions in Minneapolis, urging companies to end ties with immigration enforcement. Hundreds have signed an open letter calling on CEOs to cancel ICE contracts.
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.
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!
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.
3DE Club Launches New Platform for Young Innovators
The launch featured student Shark Tank–style pitches, a fireside chat, a discussion with panelists, and a digital ribbon-cutting that officially launched the 3DE Club platform.
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.
Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors Move Forward With RING Concept
The County of Santa Cruz introduces the county's Regional Inoperable Next Generation (RING) radio system.
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.

