Launchpad 2026 Is Next Week — and the Employer Lineup Keeps Growing

May 7

Santa Cruz Launchpad 2026 is next week.

On Wednesday, May 13, students, job seekers, founders, employers, educators, and community leaders will gather at The Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a full day of startup pitches, hiring connections, and local networking.

The day includes a student startup competition from 12–4 p.m., followed by a public job fair and networking session from 5–7 p.m. For students and job seekers, it is a direct way to meet local companies that are hiring. For employers, it is a chance to connect with motivated talent in one room.

The employer lineup also continues to grow.

Two more local companies have joined Launchpad 2026: OurEnergy and Onewheel / Future Motion.

OurEnergy is a Santa Cruz-based company focused on renewable energy, sustainable development, green building, water, and civil infrastructure. Their work spans distributed generation, microgrids, smart grid technologies, and high-performance buildings.

Onewheel / Future Motion brings one of Santa Cruz’s most recognizable consumer hardware brands to the lineup. The company designs and builds electric boards that combine engineering, mobility, outdoor culture, and Santa Cruz’s action-sports roots.

They join an employer roster that includes Joby Aviation, Heron Power, Sleepless Media, Dientes Community Dental, CDI Head Start Serving Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and the Watsonville Police Department.

It is not too late!

If you are a company or organization hiring or thinking of hiring in the next 6 months, get you table at Launchpad 2026. Sign up HERE

Launchpad is designed to make local opportunities easier to see and easier to access. Students get exposure to employers and mentors. Companies get direct access to emerging talent. Job seekers get a clearer view of who is hiring in Santa Cruz County right now.

There is still room for late employer registrations. If your company is hiring interns, part-time employees, full-time workers, or wants to meet local talent, Santa Cruz Works will continue to take late signups as space allows.

Event Details

Santa Cruz Launchpad 2026
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Student Startup Competition: 12–4 p.m.
Job Fair + Networking: 5–7 p.m.