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.

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Malina Long 5/21/25 Malina Long 5/21/25

Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 Photos

In its 8th year, Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 was a huge success. Over the next 2 weeks, we will make a full story and videos of the events. For now, we have 2 collections of photos: Business Plan Pitch Competition, and Job Fair.

Malina Long 5/14/25 Malina Long 5/14/25

Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 Participating Companies and Organizations Announced

Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 employers announced.

Malina Long 5/8/25 Malina Long 5/8/25

Santa Cruz Launchpad Volunteers Wanted!

Want to make a difference in your community? Come volunteer at Santa Cruz Launchpad!

Doug Erickson 5/7/25 Doug Erickson 5/7/25

Meet the Future: The Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 Pitch Teams Redefining Innovation

Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 brings together Santa Cruz’s brightest startups and talent for a dynamic pitch competition and job fair at the Cocoanut Grove on May 21—where innovation meets opportunity, and the future is built on local ideas.

September 21, 2026

Joby Completes First-Ever Fully Autonomous Flight Across the United States

Joby Aviation completed the first fully autonomous flight across the United States, traveling 3,199 miles from California to North Carolina with no control inputs from the onboard safety pilot. The milestone highlights the Santa Cruz-based company’s growing focus on autonomous aviation for commercial, emergency, and defense applications.

September 19, 2026

Don't Blame the Bomb.

AI isn't the villain — the people building it and the government refusing to govern it are. A lesson from WebEx's churn crisis, a Santa Cruz historian, and why accountability after the fact is no accountability at all.

September 18, 2026

We're All Tech Bros Now

"Tech bro" once described a specific guy in a specific vest. Now it covers billionaires, biologists, and your aunt with an iPad. A label that fits everyone describes no one.

They Said AI Would Make Engineers Obsolete

Philippe Kahn, Santa Cruz inventor of the camera phone, rejects claims that AI will replace engineers. Instead, he calls for "enlightened engineers" who pair rigor with humility and ask, "What happens when we build this?"

They Said Photography Wasn't Art, Either

Critics once dismissed the camera as a machine for failed painters. It took more than a century to win the museum wall. AI art is on the same path — moving much faster.

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!