On February 7, Santa Cruz celebrates 18 years of Santa Cruz Works, born as Santa Cruz New Tech Meetup, whose county proclamation turned a monthly gathering into an innovation engine.

Santa Cruz County is advancing a new framework for utility-scale battery storage that strengthens grid reliability while putting safety first. Inspired by lessons from Moss Landing, the plan bans higher-risk chemistries, adds monitoring and setbacks, and treats storage as essential climate infrastructure.

From the Jack O’Neill Lounge overlooking Cowell’s, Doug Erickson explains why tiny Santa Cruz punches above its weight in innovation. From UCSC genomics to Joby aviation, local founders keep building. Santa Cruz Works exists to keep that talent home.

3D Entrepreneurs (3DE) Club launches January 25 at the Santa Cruz MAH, raising funds to help kids (8-12) experience ideation-to-commercialization. It’s a bet on natural intelligence: creativity, confidence, and value creation in an accelerating world.

Steve Fortunato’s CEO Works talk reframed leadership as hospitality: stop acting like a hero extracting value, start hosting to create it. After decades of keynote speakers, he stands out as the best corporate retreat speaker I’ve ever heard.

CruzHacks’ 12th Annual Hackathon united 300 students across 90 teams for a weekend of innovation and collaboration.

Public comments close January 23rd, 2026. Share your opposition at Regulations.gov by searching Docket ID: BOEM-2025-0483 and help protect our coast for future generations.

The Murray Street Bridge crisis isn’t just about traffic, it’s about trust. As the City floated solutions, then reversed course with shifting explanations, residents and businesses were left to chase facts themselves. Transparency failed, and confidence in decision-making collapsed.

Many nonprofits are held back by stretched teams and disconnected data, but LiveImpact’s "Co-Intelligence" platform is changing the game by embedding AI directly into fundraising, case management, and program delivery. Join us to see how organizations are ditching clunky legacy systems for smart automation and predictive insights that actually scale their mission.

Murray Street Bridge detours are worsening congestion and hurting local businesses. A temporary automated 2-way signal would restore safer, reliable access for residents, cyclists, workers, and emergency services at a modest cost. Sign the petition.

Guy Kawasaki’s 18th book, Everybody Has Something to Hide, makes privacy practical. It shows everyday people how to use Signal to protect conversations, avoid costly mistakes, and defend freedom through secure messaging as modern hygiene.

Rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated. I retracted the announcement after realizing retirement is purpose: serving community. With Mash and Neil Erickson onboard, I can focus on what matters most.

Philippe Kahn, inventor of the camera phone, has personally filed over 235 patents and continues to innovate in AI and smart health technology.

Rebecca Benjamin, a UC Santa Cruz graduate researcher, is launching Benjmark Surf Co. to bridge surfboard craftsmanship with computational fluid dynamics. Using custom boards, tuft testing, and underwater imaging, she’s translating flow into insight and sharing the findings with the broader surf community.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Inter-District Enrollment period is open January 14 through January 19.

CITRIS STEM weekend workshop: ¡Valle! Get Your Start in Tech! program is designed to equip students with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to pursue rewarding careers in the tech industry. January 9, 2026

Treeswax is scaling the rare way: quietly and credibly. With reef-safe surf wax, expanding global distribution, and early traction across surf and hockey markets, the Santa Cruz company’s momentum explains why it’s one to watch in 2026.

Rod Caborn spent decades turning generosity into action, raising millions for causes. Honored as a 2025 Titan, his legacy lives in the institutions he strengthened and the people who felt seen, connected, and cared for.

Are you a woman that is interested in dividing into the world of venture capital? Check out this free online opportunity.

Santa Cruz Works reveals Titans 2025 award recipients, selected from 50+ nominations honoring Monterey innovation. Winners: Ash Robbins, Holger Schmidt, Dan Haifley, Maggie Nixon, Rod Caborn, Sol Lipman, and Julie Edwards. Celebration: January 28, 2026.