Our Events
Santa Cruz Works is proud to host a full lineup of monthly, quarterly, and annual events, from New Tech showcases and skill-building clinics to networking mixers and signature community gatherings. These events bring people together to connect, collaborate, discover new tools and practices, support local job growth, and help startups and technology in Santa Cruz County thrive.
Learn more about our events below, and visit our Events Calendar to see what’s coming up next. Interested in presenting your company at New Tech or hosting a clinic? Click Apply.
New Tech
Every quarter, we ignite the stage with visionary thinkers ready to dazzle you with jaw-dropping insights. Dive into the latest products and startups, and mingle with the brightest minds in Santa Cruz County! New Tech is held on the first Wednesday of every quarter from 6-8 pm. Our event is a thrilling blend of networking magic for an hour, followed by an hour brimming with captivating 5-minute talks from innovative companies - all accompanied by delicious bites, electrifying live music, and refreshing drinks. For the freshest updates on New Tech gatherings, keep an eye on our Events Calendar or our Eventbrite page. It's the ultimate gathering spot for startup enthusiasts, investors, mentors, tech mavens, and anyone passionate about tech, eager to connect, discover, and champion each other's endeavors!
Mixers
Our newest addition to the bunch….mixers! These events tend to happen quarterly and are focused on providing a casual space for networking and highlighting local talent. Our Summer Rooftop Mixer highlighted student startup teams who participated in Santa Cruz Launchpad pitch competition, and our Genomics Mixer highlighted the incredible research and innovation happening at UC Santa Cruz. Check out our Events Calendar or our Eventbrite page. We hope to do more of these events to highlight and connect various industries, themes, and entities in the region.
Clinics
Clinics are webinars where you can build up your professional knowledge. Learn about new tools, topics, skills, and the latest trends in business. Clinics are geared towards professionals who want to build on their knowledge and dive deeper into specific topics such as digital marketing, how to write a business plan, how to pitch your idea to VCs, etc. Check our newsletter for the latest clinics or go to our Youtube Channel!
CEO Works Luncheons
CEO Works is a peer-to-peer private group that provides executives the space to get solid advice from peers and make connections. It is a confidential forum where CEOs can air the toughest problems, and apply their expertise to help other local CEOs. Each meeting begins with time for connecting followed by a topic that the group has decided upon at the previous meeting (goal setting, marketing, HR, etc.) Click here to learn more and sign up.
Blue Innovation
Blue Innovation is a bi-annual community event held every other year in late September or early October, bringing together researchers, organizations, and residents who care about protecting our ocean and freshwater resources. The day showcases scalable technologies, solutions, and ventures advancing ocean and water sustainability, especially in the face of climate change. Hosted at and around the UC Santa Cruz Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Blue Innovation features exhibits from companies, artists, small businesses, nonprofits, and researchers, plus lightning talks, tours, scavenger hunts, and hands-on activities for all ages. Expect food trucks and live music, with most outdoor programming free and open to the public. Check out last year’s event HERE.
CruzHacks
Cruz Hacks is the largest hackathon in Santa Cruz County. Each year, CruzHacks invite hundreds of students from a variety of backgrounds to develop solutions to real-world problems in 36 hours, pursue inclusion in tech, and kindle the spirit of innovation. Cruz Hacks was founded in 2013 by Mark Adams, Brent Haddad, and Doug Erickson and is now entirely run by students! Learn more about Cruz Hacks.
Santa Cruz Launchpad
Santa Cruz Launchpad is an annual May event that combines a student startup competition with a community career fair, all under one roof at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove. The first half of the day spotlights emerging founders in a live pitch competition, with $250-$100K in prizes and rewards on the line. The second half shifts into a public job fair featuring 60+ local companies and 300+ opportunities, including part-time roles, full-time positions, and internships. Details for Launchpad 2026 will be announced in early April. Either way, it’s the place to be if you want to grow your network, discover new talent, or find your next opportunity. Learn more about Launchpad.
Think Big!
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Santa Cruz Works have partnered to provide Santa Cruz County educators and students the opportunity to participate in a series of exciting events that revolve around connecting your passions with the possibilities of the technology industry. These events are aimed at inspiring youth to Think Big! when reaching for your dreams. We encourage everyone looking to expand their awareness of the possibilities that exist in Santa Cruz County by joining these events.
Titans Awards
The Titans of Tech Awards celebrates the visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who have made a profound impact on the tech and innovation ecosystem in the Monterey Bay region. This high-energy event recognizes individuals—ranging from startup founders to seasoned executives—who drive economic growth, community engagement, and technological breakthroughs. Over the years, the "Titan" title has been awarded to local legends and global icons alike, including Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph, Joby Aviation CEO JoeBen Bevirt, Apple veteran Guy Kawasaki, and Digital NEST founder Jacob Martinez, highlighting the diverse range of talent from agriculture and biotech to aviation and social enterprise.