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

INNOVATION NEWS

Check out our news highlights and archive here.

NOTE: Our blogs are typically “assisted by AI”. We use AI to assist us in research and style the way a human editor would.

Not on our mailing list yet? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Interested in getting 10,000+ eyeballs to view your company’s content? Become a Santa Cruz Works Partner or, see 3rd party content Sponsors.

Doug Erickson 2/27/25 Doug Erickson 2/27/25

Harnessing the Flow of Energy: A Taoist Reflection on Grid-Based Battery Systems and the Moss Landing Fire

Toby Corey, former Tesla Energy CRO and lifelong innovator, emphasizes that progress flourishes when innovation aligns with sustainability. Drawing on Taoist principles, he reflects on grid-based Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and key lessons from the recent Moss Landing fire.

Doug Erickson 1/19/25 Doug Erickson 1/19/25

Fires at Moss Landing: Disruption in Monterey County

The Moss Landing fire exposed challenges in lithium energy storage, underscored health and environmental risks, and highlighted the need for innovation, diverse energy solutions, and community resilience for a sustainable future.

September 17, 2026

Cabrillo College Joins as Partner for AHSC Internship Opportunity Program Cohort 2

Cabrillo College joins Santa Cruz Works as a parter of Cohort 2 of the AHSC internship opportunity program to open doors for local student internships.

Apple’s New AI Siri

David Pogue tested Apple’s new AI Siri 125 ways and found it remarkably capable. It searches personal data, controls apps, understands screens and cameras, handles complex commands, and could dramatically reduce app-switching, Googling, and everyday phone fumbling.

September 16, 2026

Santa Cruz Can't Punish Joby by Breaking Its Own Promise

A candidate for mayor has told UCSC students the City should walk away from its agreement with Joby Aviation. Here's what the agreement actually says — and why breaking it would cost Santa Cruz, not Joby.

September 15, 2026

Calling Santa Cruz Companies in the Wrigley Building: Help Inspire the Next Generation of Innovators

Do you have an awesome company in the Wrigley building? Help inspire the next generation of innovators!

Help Rename Santa Cruz Works' Titans Event

We’re renaming our annual event and we want YOUR input! Help us rename Titans and you could win VIP tickets to our next event and more!

Behind the Beans: Cat & Cloud Company Spotlight & Roastery Tour

Ever wonder what actually happens between the coffee farm and your coffee cup? Join Santa Cruz Works and Cat & Cloud Coffee for an inside look at their roastery, straight from the source. This is a how-it's-made field trip for coffee lovers, curious minds, and anyone who's ever wanted to take a peek behind the counter.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour: Adventure Night Returns to the Rio

Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every fall in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the road.

September 10, 2026

SCWorks New Tech Photos

Thank you to River Row for allowing us to host our New Tech event at their space, and to the six presenters who shared what they're building right here in Santa Cruz! View the photos.

The Ducks of Santa Cruz

A Dutch database, an Amazon acquisition, and a surf town's most improbable export: how Looker's alumni quietly built the strange, tangled, occasionally hilarious family tree behind DuckDB and MotherDuck.