Video filmed and edited by James Snell (snell.ajames@gmail.com) and Yuliya Monastyrska (ymonasty@ucsc.edu)

The 2024 Santa Cruz Launchpad event at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove on May 29 saw a vibrant turnout with 12 student teams, 32 participating companies and organizations, and over 500 attendees. This bustling day of innovation and networking kicked off at noon with a dynamic pitch competition, where each team delivered a compelling 5-minute presentation. The standout teams from the pitch competition were recognized for their innovative ideas with a financial award and are listed at the bottom of this article.

A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Chrissybil Boulin, a Haitian American entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in 2022. Boulin, who currently leads Vero Learning, a startup offering AI-powered vocational training, shared her journey and inspired the audience with her commitment to affordable and accessible education. She recounted her entrepreneurial beginnings with Jump Start Tutoring Center, a tutoring business launched with just $500, and emphasized her dedication to fighting poverty through education.

From 5-7pm, attendees had the opportunity to explore over 400 job openings across various sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, and technology, offering career seekers a diverse array of prospects.

The event was organized by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) and the UCSC Innovation and Business Engagement Hub, in collaboration with Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, Blackstone Launchpad, UC Santa Cruz QB3, and the City of Santa Cruz.

Full SC Launchpad 2024 Recording

Full SC Launchpad 2024 Recording

CHAPTERS: 09:35 Tallyrus 14:06 TerraNova Bio 20:54 ShowerTech 28:02 Done Today 36:29 Mirage Labs 43:18 Power Path 50:55 Collegiate 58:40 Hot Spot Creative 1:05:47 Operation Blue 1:12:36 Med Log 1:20:26 Light Links 1:27:55 Crisis Link 1:35:14 Introduction of Keynote Speaker Chrissybil Boulin 1:37:40 Chrissybil Boulin 1:51:01 Manel Camps & Organizers 1:52:49 Winners

Pitch Competition Awardees

Tallyrus

Tallyrus is a web application designed to address the time-intensive task of essay grading. Tallyrus uses AI to quickly and accurately assess student essays.

Social Impact Award Recipient: $6,000

TerraNova Bio

Using nature (fungi) to solve humanity’s greatest problem, plastic pollution.

Biotech/Health Award Recipient: $6,000

Climate Action Award Recipient: $10,000

Light Links Inc.

Connect to the internet through the Light coming from your home light bulbs! Reliable as Wi-Fi, fast as Light!

Technology Award Recipient: $6,000

Audience’s pick: $2,000

Done Today

An online platform connecting students who need money, to neighbors who need a helping hand.

Community Impact Award Recipient: $4,000

Shower Tech

The showerhead of the world: enrich the lives of the future through the actions taken in the present.

Runner Up: $2,000

MiRage

A virtual reality-based application that gamifies labs to make them more engaging and effective at demonstrating the scientific principles at play.

Runner Up: $2,000

Power Path

Solar panels for roads!

Runner Up: $2,000

Collegiate

Supercharge college admissions support through personalized mentorship.

Runner Up: $2,000

Hotspot Creatives

A platform for creatives by creatives.

Runner Up: $2,000

Operation Blue

Reshaping the future of the plastic economy in California, where pioneers of the materials future don’t just survive, they thrive.

Runner Up: $2,000

MedLog

More is possible daily with MedLog, a platform connecting chronic patients with family, doctors and other caretakers.

Runner Up: $2,000

Crisis Link

An independent communication network.

Runner Up: $2,000