Successful Santa Cruz Accelerates Companies

Over the years, numerous companies have participated in our Accelerator Program. Here, we highlight those that have achieved significant success.

A new patent-pending process to create chitin foam with a water-based eco-friendly method

$3.4M Seed round funded with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher

A smiling man holding a bag of white sand in a room with surfboards and a Cruz FOA sign on the wall.

Largest B2C Cannabis Online Marketplace in US

1,000+ dispensaries utilizing Jane Technologies software

$100M Series C

A man with dark hair and a dark teal shirt standing in front of a blue background with a large yellow heart and the word "Jane" inside it.

Climate FinTech mobile app reshaping impact investing. Raised $460,000 from the New York State Energy Research & Develop Authority, Responsibly Ventures, Central Coast Angels, and the Co-Founder of GoFundMe. As of December 2025, investors have raised $14M for solar projects on Climatize’s app.

Two smiling people standing in front of a large container filled with discarded bicycles and metal parts. The man on the left is wearing a black cap, black shirt, and orange gloves. The woman on the right has curly hair and is wearing a black jacket.
Young man outdoors near water, with arms crossed, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt, with a coastline and houses in the background.

All-in-one online services and technology management for restaurants. $150k raised. Processed over $1.98MM in sales for restaurants in the last 90 days alone. Awarded first place at SCW 4th Annual Accelerator Pitch Contest.

VR-Based Physical Therapy Telehealth. Raised $500k+ between Startengine, NSF, and angel investors) Partnerships with Stanford Healthcare, University of Montana Biomechanics Lab, Ready Player Me, Houston Veterans Affairs (VA). Awarded $1m NSF SBIR grant.

A virtual fitness or wellness room with two avatars, two beds, a small yoga mat, a television or monitor, and large windows showing a cloudy sky.

Food without plastic packaging. Modern and convenient  bulk dispensers for supermarkets, campuses, and online fulfilment. 

$2.5 million raised, tons of plastic eliminated!

A woman with light blonde hair in a pink shirt is filling a glass jar with white balls from a dispensing machine at a bulk food store. The machine has containers with labeled foods like sunflower seeds, antioxidant mix, and dark chocolate coconut chews, with digital price tags and labels on the display panel.

AI wildfire detection system. Featured on BBC’s T.V. and Radio program, BBC Click.

A woman and a man standing outdoors on a balcony with mountains in the background, a smartphone on a tripod behind them, wearing casual and business casual attire.

Creating 3d printed surfboards out of recycled materials. Received first place and People’s Choice Award in Santa Cruz Accelerates 5th Cohort Pitch Contest.

CarbonBridge transforms biowaste-derived methane and carbon-dioxide (CH4, CO2) into versatile methanol (CH3OH). They aim to replace fossil fuels in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like marine, aviation, and heavy transport with their unique, cost-effective methanol, distinguishing themselves from other producers with their low-cost, energy-efficient approach.

Light Links, Inc. is the pioneer of Wi-OW, an Optical Wireless Communication technology with performance metrics tens of times stronger than existing RF solutions, powering the next generation of AI-driven wireless connectivity. Light Links closed a multi-million dollar deal with a Fortune 500 company in 2025.

Light Links

Inboard Technology

M1 E-board (skateboard) and G1 Glider (scooter)

Shark Tank winners

EVENRecharge offers cutting-edge EV charging solutions designed to create the preferred charging destination for everyone. They unveiled their new EV solar charging station in California City in June 2024.

A man standing outside near a Tesla electric vehicle and a white charging station, with trees and houses in the background on a sunny day.

EvenRecharge Inc.

Created bulk distribution infrastructure for liquid and cream products Provider of shampoo, conditioner, laundry and soap refills to UC Santa Cruz. 2023 Westly Prize Winner.

Two women standing back-to-back outdoors, with arms crossed, smiling slightly, in front of a modern building with glass windows and a pathway.

A new way to manage your money, engage on the go, stress less, and level up your life.

Get started now at www.moneyflow.org

Smart home Internet of Things [IoT] company with a focus on household water usage and response.

Acquired By Resideo

The word 'buy' written in lowercase letters with a blue accent on the 'b'.
ScootScience logo with stacked horizontal bars and company name.

High quality sub-surface oceanographic data and forecasting

Community Love for Santa Cruz Works

“We wish to express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Santa Cruz Works Accelerator program. Our involvement in the program has been a benefit to MoneyFlow Organization's advancement in several key areas including pitch deck development, value proposition validation, expanding our advisory network, and fundraising readiness. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for the support, knowledge, and connections SCW Accelerator has afforded us. We look forward to building upon these foundations as we continue to grow and evolve as a company.” - Powell Loskamp, Moneyflow, SCA Cohort 5

“I'd like to express my profound gratitude for the unparalleled dedication and mentorship provided throughout the Accelerator program. The insights we gained about presenting, executing effective customer discovery, and the invaluable connections we fostered with fellow entrepreneurs have been transformative. We are eager and well-equipped to elevate SwellCycle to greater heights, and much of that credit goes to the experiences and relationships forged within Startup Space, Startup Science, Innovation Within, and the weekly check-ins. Your program is truly a catalyst for startup success.” - Patricio Guerrero, Swellcycle, SCA Cohort 5