Beaches, Books, Budgets, Bots | April New Tech Recap

An Evening of Insight and Innovation at Chaminade

On April 2, the Santa Cruz innovation community came together at the breathtaking Chaminade Spa & Resort for Beaches, Books, Budgets, and Bots—an evening that delivered big on thought leadership, inspiration, and next-gen technology. Against a backdrop of political uncertainty, the event provided clarity and insight, thanks to an all-star lineup of panelists and entrepreneurs.

The Fireside Chat featured an exceptional panel: Zach Friend, John MacMillan, Lori Kletzer, Gary Griggs, and Dante Di Gregorio. Each brought unique expertise spanning government, higher education, climate science, and global business strategy. Together, they unpacked how today’s political volatility is impacting education, the environment, research, and the economy—offering both sober analysis and actionable ideas.

The evening also spotlighted cutting-edge innovation from two standout startups: Calorify, optimizing human metabolism with AI, and Innovation Within, empowering intrapreneurs inside large organizations. Their lightning demos, limited to just five minutes each, gave attendees a rapid-fire glimpse into the future of tech.

With delicious food, live music, and powerful networking moments throughout, the event was more than a conversation—it was a catalyst for collaboration and forward thinking. Santa Cruz once again proved it’s a place where big ideas come to life.

BIG THANKS to California Manufacturing Network, Chaminade Resort & Spa, MERGE4, and all of our sponsors listed below.