Santa Cruz Launchpad Returns: Bigger and Better!
Santa Cruz Works, in partnership with leading regional educational institutions, is thrilled to announce the return of Santa Cruz Launchpad. This premier annual event, which merges a high-stakes student startup competition with a massive community job fair, will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at The Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Santa Cruz Launchpad continues to serve as a vital bridge between the classroom and the local economy, offering a platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs while connecting job seekers with the county’s most exciting employers. This year’s event includes an exciting change: the addition of a high school startup pitch competition!
Fueling Innovation: The Student Startup Competition (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
The afternoon kicks off with a live startup competition where the region's brightest young minds compete for significant cash prizes. Twelve student teams—representing UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and local high schools—will each have five minutes to pitch their business ventures to a panel of expert judges.
Eligibility: Open to college and high school students within Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Applications: Due by Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Info sessions and Workshops:
College Students: Fill out at interest form at bit.ly/sc26startup
High School Students: Register for workshop notifications at bit.ly/sclhs26
Powering Careers and Connections: The Job Fair (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
As the sun sets over the Boardwalk, the focus shifts to the local workforce. The job fair features 25+ local companies offering 300+ opportunities, ranging from internships and part-time roles to executive full-time positions.
The event is designed for job seekers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Attendees can expect to network with industry leaders in engineering, healthcare, marketing, tech, and more. Past participants have included local giants such as Joby Aviation, Capstan Medical, and Paystand. A full list of participating employers will be released in early May.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Location: The Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA)
Cost: FREE to the public.
Cost: FREE to the public. Registration required.
Registration: http://bit.ly/sclaunch26
Get Involved
Become a mentor or judge! Email Kati at kgreaney@ucsc.edu with subject line: SCL2026 Mentor/Judge
Employers: Companies interested in hiring can sign up to table by April 29, 2026 at https://bit.ly/sclaunch26 Employer table fee for Santa Cruz Works business partners is waived.
Volunteers: Support the local community by signing up at bit.ly/sclaunchpadvolunteer by May 6.
About Santa Cruz Launchpad 2026 Host Partners: This event is proudly hosted by a coalition of regional leaders, including Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, UCSC Center for Innovation and Development (CIED), Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE), UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success, and UCSC QB3.
