Article submitted by Spanner

The designers and engineers at local design firm Spanner look forward to providing mentorship to startups participating in Santa Cruz Work’s Accelerates Program as the program’s fourth cohort of entrepreneurs reaches a critical milestone on April 6th. A panel of industry experts will choose among ten finalists in the incubator program based on the entrepreneurs’ investor pitches.

From their studio in the historic Leonard Building in downtown Santa Cruz, Spanner supports the Accelerates Program by providing the winner with a packet of free strategic consulting sessions worth well over $2,000. Leveraging more than 400 years of combined experience in product design and development, the Spanner team works with clients on both sides of the hill to refine business strategies around development as well as product concepts, amplifying clients’ successes while creating delightful user experiences through innovative new products.

In the early stages of the startup experience, it’s critical entrepreneurs vet their strategies to increase investor confidence and reduce the risk of unforeseen obstacles in the challenging journey to production. Spanner’s proven process provides the map for this journey, with Spanner’s veteran designers and engineers serving as expert guides, successfully navigating a path to great product. As cofounder and CDO Arne Lang-Ree, a local since the mid-60’s when his family emigrated from Norway, is quick to point out, “Design is all about narrative. We conjure stories about better futures, and bring them to life through products which enable those new, delightful experiences.”

Because great design is built on fundamental tenets, Spanner’s process works across many markets, and for clients ranging from single founder, prefunding startups to large corporations with well established brands. Through referrals and word of mouth, Spanner is privileged to work with a fantastic and compelling array of clients, and continues on a strong growth path, more often than not looking for talented designers and engineers to join the team.

Operating from their original studio in downtown San Jose since 2014, Spanner opened their beautiful space in Santa Cruz two years ago (yes, in 2020!) to engage more deeply with the tech and hardware communities in Santa Cruz while providing more sane lifestyle options to their growing team on the surf side of the hill. CEO Giles Lowe, having followed his entrepreneurial dream to California from England 20+ years ago, is inspired by the perspective of Sir Richard Branson, who said, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” Spanner is proud to be part of the vibrant and uniquely Santa Cruz downtown scene, taking seriously the heritage of their creative space at the corner of Cooper and Front Streets, unique as the only ground floor space downtown zoned for non-retail business use.

Through its programs, Santa Cruz Works highlights the many tech companies in the area developing a wide range of cool hardware products. Of course, many Santa Cruz tech professionals commute to the valley as well. Even before moving into their Cooper Street studio, local Spanner designers Niall Macken and Damien Golbin founded the Santa Cruz Hardware Group, an open and informal social group organized to let Santa Cruz tech professionals network while sharing war stories and experiences over a beer at regular monthly gatherings downtown. Macken & Golbin also arrange group tours of local tech companies for members. Paused during the pandemic, this tradition is coming back. You can read more about one of their previous events here, or look to the SCW website for more information. If you’re interested in hosting a group tour, please contact the group here.

Camp Six Labs: A drone company tour

In addition to company events like family beach parties and joining the upcoming Earth Day Beach Clean-Up through Save Our Shores, the team at Spanner actively engages the local community in a number of ways. Santa Cruz is home to many excellent design firms, but rather than avoid contact with those who might be considered competitors from the outside, Spanner reaches out to build collaborative relationships, enabling constructive conversations benefitting all parties involved.