Calling all Employers: Santa Cruz Launchpad 2026
Launchpad 2026 is one of the smartest places for employers to recruit in Santa Cruz County.
On May 13 at the Cocoanut Grove / Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the event brings together a high-energy startup competition and a public job fair, creating a crowd full of ambitious students, emerging talent, and active job seekers. For employers, this is not just another table with a banner and a bowl of candy. It is a chance to meet people who are actually looking for internships, part-time roles, and full-time work.
The job fair is expected to feature 40+ local companies with opportunities across engineering, marketing, healthcare, project management, sales, customer support, tech, and more. That means broad exposure to a diverse talent pool, all in one place. Employers also benefit from strong regional partners including Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, UCSC, PVUSD, and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, which helps drive turnout and connect companies to multiple hiring pipelines.
Companies that want to hire, grow visibility, and build community connections should sign up now. Registration closes April 29, and early sign-up means earlier visibility when the employer list is shared in May.