A tiny Santa Cruz startup, Light Links, is replacing Wi-Fi with invisible laser-based wireless. After joining Santa Cruz Launchpad, then Santa Cruz Accelerates, Light Links landed Wayne Fenton as president, and secured a multi-million-dollar contract. The company is now shaping the future of robotics and ultra-fast connectivity.

Worker Autonomy is reinventing land development with fully electric, autonomous mini-equipment built for precision, lower costs, and zero emissions. With deep industry talent and strategic partners, they aim to build the first scalable AI-driven platform for ground-engaging work.

Joby’s turbine-electric demonstrator marks a game-changing leap: a hybrid VTOL platform with far greater range, military “wingman” utility, and potential hydrogen integration via its H2FLY acquisition. The details remain unconfirmed, but the strategic brilliance of the shift is unmistakable.

Santa Cruz-based Paystand has acquired Bitwage to bring enterprise-grade stable-coin payments to global B2B finance, enabling faster cross-border payouts and blockchain-based treasury automation. It marks a major milestone for real-world stable-coin adoption.

Joby Aviation and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today announced plans for the rapid deployment of Joby’s electric air taxi in the Kingdom.

Santa Cruz’s Surf Skull debuted its revolutionary low-profile surf helmet on ABC’s Shark Tank on November 12th.

Jesse Abrams’ talk at the Santa Cruz Works CEO Luncheon revealed how ADHD and digital overload reshape attention, motivation, and leadership. He urged leaders to design work around individual brain processes, purpose, and healthy dopamine—creating teams built for focus and resilience.

Each week, we're pulling back the curtain to spotlight the incredible individuals that you have nominated for the 2025 Titans Awards. Check out this weeks nominees.

Did you miss this year’s annual State of the Region event? Check out the recordings!

Thanks to a Lyft ride credit grant, NEST members and BizzNEST Associates can focus on client projects, trainings, and building their careers, without having to worry about transportation.

Feel like you’re always doing a million things but not building up your business? Now’s the time to untangle yourself from the web of work.

Challenging activities like surfing, mountain biking, wing foiling, or knitting spark neuroplasticity. Progress comes from novelty, wobbling through mistakes, and good rest, proving anyone can grow smarter with grit and a willingness to look foolish.

Julian Cabadas is using his passion for marketing and design to craft creative, community-driven content that highlights the spirit and flavor of Santa Cruz’s beloved coffee and creamery.

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Aviv Elor, co-founder of Immergo Labs, has been honored with the 2025 UC Santa Cruz Outstanding Recent Alumni Award.

From its Santa Cruz base, Joby Aviation is transforming aviation history. With FAA certification underway, expanded manufacturing, and strong financial footing, the company’s third-quarter results mark a decisive leap toward launching the first fully electric, zero-emission air taxi service in the world.

Going through a change in your business? Stop dragging your team through a messy pivot and learn how to smoothly navigate the chaos.

Want to make the world a better place while working on cutting-edge refill technology? Wonderfil, a Santa Cruz–based startup, is hiring.

Fullpower-AI’s multi-year sleep study reveals Daylight Saving Time severely disrupts circadian rhythms—causing measurable declines in sleep quality, heart-rate stability, and recovery. The data echo global findings: time shifts fracture our biological clock far more than they illuminate evenings.

Joby’s latest milestone marks key moment in Joby’s path to commercialization and testing lays groundwork for FAA pilots to fly Joby aircraft.

Have an idea for a business that will help improve the ocean or climate? Check out this program hosted by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.