Santa Cruz Works News — Updates on Events, Community Stories & Local Innovation

INNOVATION NEWS

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NOTE: Our blogs are typically “assisted by AI”. We use AI to assist us in research and style.

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Doug Erickson 4/8/26 Doug Erickson 4/8/26

Steve Jobs: Answers from the Afterlife

An AI-powered Steve Jobs answers our burning questions about the afterlife, Apple's 50th, and whether God's UI needs work. Watch it. You won't regret it!

Doug Erickson 4/1/25 Doug Erickson 4/1/25

SwellCycle Makes AI-Integrated Surfboard

In a city where startups meet surf breaks, one Santa Cruz company is paddling out with a truly next-level innovation. Meet SwellCycle , the startup behind the world’s first AI-powered, email-connected, fully 3D-printed surfboard —a ride designed for entrepreneurs who don’t want to miss a beat, even mid-barrel.

Malina Long 4/1/25 Malina Long 4/1/25

Santa Cruz Startup Develops Seagull Translator App

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz unveil Gullspeak, a tool to decipher sea gull communication.

Guest User 4/1/23 Guest User 4/1/23

Santa Cruz Announces Plan to Build First Underwater City-to-City Tunnel in the United States

The city of Santa Cruz has announced a water bending new project: an underwater tunnel connecting Santa Cruz and Monterey.

Guest User 4/1/23 Guest User 4/1/23

Apple to Open New Satellite Headquarters in Santa Cruz, California

Apple to open new headquarters in Santa Cruz.

September 9, 2026

Betting Big on AI: Lessons from Omni's 10x Scale-Up

How a scrappy team of ex-Lookers turned Santa Cruz roots into a $1.5B AI-powered data company, and what they learned along the way.

A Different Pace in the Santa Cruz Mountains

A day at Reggiardo Ranch invites Santa Cruz’s tech community to trade constant connection for redwoods, good food, and a slower pace.

September 8, 2026

Santa Cruz HardTech Launches to Support the County's Physical Builders

A new SBDC-backed initiative, Santa Cruz HardTech, is organizing the county's hardware, robotics, biotech, and clean energy founders — offering free advising, capital guidance, and a monthly meetup at Idea Fab Labs.

Westly Prize Now Accepting Applications for 2027

The Westly Prize is an annual award from the Westly Foundation for young social innovators in CA that gives out up to $145,000 total, including three $40,000 Grand Prizes, as unrestricted funding to early-stage founders tackling social challenges in areas like AI, education, health, environment, and youth development.

NPS to Showcase Five Breakthrough Technologies at Reverse Pitch Event

Investors and industry leaders get an exclusive look at Navy-born innovations ranging from artificial muscles to satellite-free data transfer.

Building Belonging: Four Highlights From Cabrillo's Fall 2026 Semester Kickoff

Cabrillo College's fall semester opened with a burst of momentum, from new collaborative student support spaces to the leasing launch of Costa Vista, its groundbreaking student housing project with UC Santa Cruz.

September 4, 2026

GOODLES Just Beat Barilla at Its Own Game — And Barilla Had to Buy It to Find Out

A Santa Cruz mac-and-cheese startup just got acquired by a 149-year-old Italian pasta giant. The real story isn't the deal, it's what it says about legacy brands, category disruption, and why $88 million buys you something money can't build.

High School Robotics Club Open Houses — Students & Mentors Wanted!

The High School Robotics Club is opening their doors! Students, mentors, and innovators are invited to explore hands-on robotics, meet local teams, discover opportunities, and learn how to get involved.

September 3, 2026

Winner Announced: Ocean Film Festival Ticket Giveaway

The winner of the Ocean Film Festival World Tour ticket giveaway has been announced!