Santa Cruz County’s 2026 watch list marks a shift from invention to execution. These companies are scaling with real organizational maturity, durable advantages, and clear catalysts, while staying anchored locally. From aviation and fintech to climate systems and biotech delivery, Santa Cruz is proving it can build globally and keep value here.

AI predicts transformative advancements in technology, sustainability, and equitable access for 2025—no time machine required.

Beyond the finish line, learn how Maggie Nixon is shaping the future of medicine at the Santa Cruz Works Super Tech on May 1, 2024. Tickets going fast!

In a recent interview, Capstan Medical CEO Maggie Nixon shared her fascinating journey from a student athlete with a passion for medicine to a leading innovator in medical devices and robotics. Growing up near Chicago, her interest in science and math, coupled with a natural inclination towards medicine, set the stage for her future career.