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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Guest User 1/8/25 Guest User 1/8/25

Ed Colligan: Industry Legend and Santa Cruz Works Titan of 2024

Ed Colligan: The Silicon Valley legend driving innovation, honored as Santa Cruz Works Titan 2024!

Guest User 1/7/25 Guest User 1/7/25

Annie Otfinoski: A Sustainability Trailblazer and Santa Cruz Works Titan of 2024

Who is Annie Otfinoski? Meet the Santa Cruz Titan revolutionizing sustainability and shaping a greener future!

Doug Erickson 1/5/25 Doug Erickson 1/5/25

Richard "Ed" Green: A Trailblazer in Paleogenomics and 2024 Santa Cruz Works Titan

Dr. Richard "Ed" Green, a pioneer in paleogenomics at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a Santa Cruz Works Titan of 2024 for his groundbreaking contributions to genomics and forensics.

Doug Erickson 2/3/24 Doug Erickson 2/3/24

7th Annual Titans of Tech: A Memorable Annual Event

The 7th anniversary of our Titans of Tech event was an epic night where we celebrated the remarkable achievements of individuals who had not only achieved career success but had significantly contributed to the growth and vibrancy of our community.

Malina Long 10/19/23 Malina Long 10/19/23

The First Round of Titans of Tech Nominees

Here are the first nominees that we’ve received for Titans of Tech 2023.

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!