Downtown Pops! is the City's program designed to lower the barriers to entry for businesses looking to open a brick and mortar space. In addition, the program intends to reduce the risk for property owners to take on new tenants during challenging times.

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” includes a decade-long ban on AI election regulation, overriding state laws and opening the door to deepfakes and disinformation. It’s a Trojan Horse threatening the very foundation of democracy.

Passionate about the culinary industry, aspiring chefs, or envision owning a restaurant someday? Check out this apprenticeship program! 

"Solar Jobs Powering the Central Coast: A Call to Action" highlights the urgent need to expand clean energy jobs in the region, emphasizing solar’s potential to drive economic growth, climate resilience, and equitable workforce opportunities across the Central Coast.

On May 21, 2025, twelve inspiring finalist teams pitched groundbreaking ideas—from AI-powered education and smart leak detection to artisan fragrances and climate-saving tech. Curious who won? Watch the video for a fast-paced recap of these bold innovators in action!

Santa Cruz Works to host summer rooftop mixer. 10 teams from CruzHacks 2025, SC Launchpad, etc. will exhibit. Food, beverage, and live music included.

Joby announced the successful closing of the first $250 million tranche of a previously announced strategic investment from Toyota Motor Corporation.

The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) is accepting applications for its Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant program.

The X Academy High School Robotics Team is heading to World Championship in Michigan and they need your support!

MySidecar is an AI-powered marketing platform that helps lean teams go from strategy to execution fast. Meet co-founder Jonathan Lo at the Summer Rooftop Mixer on June 4 and see it in action.

Congratulations to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) for receiving national recognition from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation! PVUSD has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation, highlighting its outstanding commitment to music education.

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.

Santa Cruz Works welcomes John Tran as COO. A seasoned venture investor, John will lead corporate sponsorship efforts to grow Santa Cruz Accelerates, now nearing its 7th cohort with 60+ startup alumni and counting.

Robotics Cats makes Disaster Tech Awards finals.

Invest just $100 in Mynt Systems’ EV charging project in West Sacramento. Earn 9% interest, support clean tech, and help build the future—funding closes May 28 on Climatize.

Join Santa Cruz County’s top business leaders on May 22 for updates, networking, and light bites—plus insights from Supervisor Kim DeSerpa on the county’s economic future.

Explore how technology can spark social change. 

H.R. 9495, dubbed the “nonprofit killer,” could let the federal government revoke tax-exempt status without due process. Critics warn it threatens free speech and civil society, giving unchecked power to silence advocacy under vague claims of “supporting terrorism.”

Sequoia Olson of Salinas placed in the Top 20 nationwide in the 2025 Math Kangaroo competition, showcasing exceptional problem-solving skills. Their achievement celebrates curiosity, hard work, and a love for math—proving that brilliance adds up at any age.

Santa Cruz Works is excited to welcome Tavleen to the team!