News Highlights
We don’t only report the news, we make the news. Our news highlights and archive here.
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Beneath the Waves: Crafting California’s Future Reefs
California’s Artificial Reef Program (CARP) Plan is designing a science-based blueprint to create thriving underwater habitats that enhance marine biodiversity, support coastal resilience, and provide new opportunities for recreation and conservation.
CEO Works: Leading through Chaos
Nada Khorchid’s presentation empowers CEOs, senior leaders, and entrepreneurs to thrive in uncertainty. Learn a 4-step authentic leadership framework through success stories like Howard Schultz (Starbucks), Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo), and Steve Jobs (Apple), showcasing how authenticity and agility drive impactful leadership during times of chaos.
Toby Corey Set to Reveal the Next Evolution of AI-Powered Customer Engagement
Santa Cruz-based entrepreneur Toby Corey is making waves again. After years under the radar, his AI-driven customer engagement company, Tuul, is back—and bigger than ever. Dubbed by SCWorks as Tuul 2.0, the stealth-mode startup is set to be officially unveiled at the Santa Cruz Works New Tech event on March 5, 2025.
Ed Colligan: From Silicon Valley to Sustainable Energy—How Low Carbon is Powering Europe
Mark your calendars for March 5, when Santa Cruz Works New Tech will host a special presentation by Ed Colligan, a local legend whose career spans from pioneering mobile technology to advancing global sustainability. Colligan, former CEO of Palm and a key figure in the evolution of mobile devices, has now turned his attention to combating climate change with Low Carbon, a renewable energy investment company.
Petszel: Revolutionizing Pet Adoption – Meet Sara Swenson at Santa Cruz Works New Tech
On March 5, 2025, at the Santa Cruz Works New Tech event, local entrepreneur Sara Swenson will present Petszel, a groundbreaking platform designed to support new pet parents. As the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Petszel, Sara brings a wealth of experience and passion to the pet care industry.
Cyclotron Craig To Present at Santa Cruz Works New Tech
Join us on March 5 when the famed Craig Vachon will help us laugh and finally understand what we’ve always wanted to know about a cyclotron! From turbocharged hamster wheels for particles to mind-blowing fusion energy, Craig will break it all down with humor, insight, and a few surprises.
DART Awarded CA Jobs First – Uplift Central Coast Catalyst Grant
DART (Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded funding through the CA Jobs First – Uplift Central Coast Catalyst Program.
CSUMB's Women in Venture Capital Initiative
CSUMB’s Women in Venture Capital Initiative on March 18 aims to empower women with the knowledge, connections, and resources needed to break into the venture capital industry, featuring insights from industry leaders Hilary Bryant and May Roen.
Employers Invited to Participate in Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 Job Fair
Santa Cruz Launchpad is back! If you are looking to hire new employees to your team, sign up today to meet over 400 potential candidates,
Immergo Labs: Revolutionizing Physical Rehab with VR – Early Access Launching in March!
After years of pioneering research in VR-based rehab, co-founder Aviv Elor and his team are officially launching early access for their groundbreaking Immergo Platform in March 2025.
AI Action Summit in Paris: A Global Push for Inclusive and Sustainable AI
World leaders, tech executives, and policymakers gathered at the AI Action Summit in Paris to shape the future of artificial intelligence. Discussions covered global AI governance, economic impact, and ethical risks, with major nations divided on regulation.
Unlocking Growth: How Startups Can Leverage SBIR Funding for Innovation
Securing funding is a major challenge for U.S. startups. The SBIR program provides non-dilutive funding to help turn innovations into commercial success. This ERB article explains SBIR’s importance and offers key tips to improve startups' chances of winning funding.
Chris Miller's AWS Meetup: A Thriving Hub for Santa Cruz Cloud Enthusiasts
Santa Cruz’s tech community continues to flourish, thanks to the dedication and leadership of Chris Miller, who has built the Santa Cruz AWS User Group into a thriving and dynamic meetup.
UC Santa Cruz Commits to a Fossil-Free Future
UC Santa Cruz is making a bold commitment to eliminate 90% of fossil fuels by 2045 and offers numerous ways for students, faculty, and staff to get involved in the fight for a sustainable future.
Going to Santa Barbara?
Santa Cruz local Neil Erickson establishes an event business in Santa Barbara with famed Brett Hunter.
AI-Driven Layoffs at Meta, Salesforce, and Workday
The rise of AI-driven layoffs at major tech companies like Meta, Salesforce, and Workday highlights a rapidly evolving job market where automation is no longer a distant threat but a present reality, forcing workers to compete not just with each other—but with AI itself.
AI Super Bowl: Musk vs. OpenAI
Elon Musk's $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI was swiftly rejected by CEO Sam Altman, who quipped, "No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want." Concurrently, Tesla's European sales have plummeted, with declines of 60% in Germany and 63% in France, partly due to Musk's political endorsements.
Global Entrepreneurship Program Applications Open
The Global Entrepreneurship & Innovation (GEN) Program at UC Santa Cruz is now open for applications! This dynamic program brings together students from around the world to develop essential skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration.
United Way of Santa Cruz County Welcomes Yvette Lopez Brooks as New CEO
United Way announces an inspiring new chapter of leadership with Yvette Brooks at the helm.
Ms. Blue: Restoring UCSC’s Iconic Whale Skeleton
UCSC’s iconic blue whale skeleton, Ms. Blue, is undergoing a sustainable restoration using innovative materials and technology.