Titans 2024 Nominees: Round 1

Every year, Santa Cruz Works honors the people who have contributed to the growth of the local entrepreneurial and business community at our Titans Award event (aka Titans of Tech).

We are accepting nomination submissions until November 7th for our 2024 Titans Awards event on December 4, 2024. Every week or so we will share some of the submissions we’ve received. If you don’t see your nominee this week, keep an eye out for the following week. Keep reading to see some of the inspiring folks who have been nominated already and click the button below to nominate someone who inspires you! Nominations are due by November 7. Best viewed on desktop.

Round 1 Nominees

Ash Robbins

“Ash Robbins is a trailblazer in the intersection of AI, robotics, and digital health technologies. As the Co-Founder and CTO of Immergo Labs, he leads the development of cutting-edge, AI-driven solutions that leverage Virtual Reality to revolutionize physical rehabilitation. His core work focuses on designing algorithms that allow real-time, embodied digital health platforms to track and analyze users’ movements with precision, helping patients recover more effectively from physical injuries. This innovation offers a transformative approach to healthcare, allowing physical therapists to monitor and guide rehabilitation with unprecedented accuracy and depth of insight…” - Aviv Elor

Michael Powell

“Michael Powell is a visionary leader at the intersection of biomechanics, AI, and immersive technologies, driving innovation in telehealth for physical rehabilitation. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Immergo Labs, he leads the development of an AI-driven virtual reality platform that enhances remote physical therapy by providing real-time movement tracking and personalized feedback, improving patient outcomes and accessibility. His unique combination of expertise in exercise science and computer engineering has allowed him to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and healthcare, transforming how physical therapy is delivered…” - Aviv Elor

Mircea Toedorescu

Professor Mircea Teodorescu is a pioneering figure in the fields of bioelectronics, robotics, and brain organoid engineering, with a career that spans groundbreaking innovations in multiple disciplines. His research in bioelectronics has paved the way for advanced applications, such as smart bandages that accelerate wound healing using bioelectronic control systems—a technology with significant implications for veterans and others suffering from chronic wounds. In the field of robotics, Mircea has led innovations in soft exosuits for rehabilitation, allowing stroke patients and others with physical impairments to regain movement through adaptive, wearable robotics. His work on voxel-based robotics has introduced new paradigms in modular, flexible robotics, enabling more dynamic and reconfigurable robotic systems.

Patricio Guerrero

Swellcycle is revolutionizing the surfing industry while also minimizing the environmental impact of the board shaping process. Swellcycle beautifully encapsulates the ethos of Santa Cruz, combining sustainability with innovation to leverage novel manufacturing processes to make the things we love better for the planet.

Jimbo Phillips

“Artists often get overlooked in conversations about innovation, yet they play a crucial role in shaping brand narratives—whether through Steve Jobs’ minimalist white space or the bold art on a skateboard. Jimbo Phillips epitomizes this creative impact, from energizing the San Jose Sharks, MERGE4 socks, Santa Cruz murals, skateboards, band art, Santa Cruz Warriors and more, to supporting initiatives like the LB Project, which raises funds for organizations like Skateistan and the Harold Hunter Foundation…”- Cindi Busenhart

Cate Miller

“Cate Miller, CPA, is not only a finance professional but a force for positive change in Santa Cruz. She is a testament to the often underappreciated impact of the financial sector. Currently with Chiorini, Platt & Jacobs Certified Public Accountants, LLP, Cate previously served as a partner at Summit Accountancy Group, where she led with innovation, strategic acumen, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practices. Her ability to guide clients through complex financial landscapes exemplifies the value of finance as a pillar of business success. Cate’s influence extends into education as an accounting professor at California State University Monterey Bay. She has mentored countless students, preparing them to navigate the evolving world of finance…”

Hari Mix

“From conquering athletics at Stanford, to receiving his, teaching the next-gen of students, mastering some of the highest mountains in the world with no oxygen tank, and to becoming a world expert in metabolism to enable multiple newly awarded gold-medal Olympic athletes through his start-up Calorify, I nominate Hari Mix as a local Tech Titan.” - Alexi Sevastopoulos

Richard Edward "Ed" Green

“…Ed been instrumental in the founding of three companies that are commercializing DNA extraction, library generation, directed sequencing, and assembly techniques developed in his lab….Cantata Bio, Claret Bioscience, and Astrea Forensics were founded in and remain in Santa Cruz County...technologies from Dr. Green's lab [have helped] provide genetic profiles that have been used to identify individuals from cold cases stretching the last seven decades.

In addition, Ed is committed to training the next generation of UC Santa Cruz founders. In 2023, he was named the UC Santa Cruz director of QB3. QB3 is a program involving UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and UC Santa Cruz that promotes entrepreneurship in biotechnology, with a focus on exposing graduate students and postdocs to entrepreneurship, managing incubators and accelerators, and providing fellowships to students and postdocs interested in founding companies…” -Jeff Jackson

Ed Colligan

“I am thrilled to nominate Ed Colligan for the Titan award, recognizing his tremendous impact on the tech industry and his invaluable contributions to the Santa Cruz community. Ed has long been a pioneering force in technology, innovation, and leadership, most notably as the former President and CEO of Palm, Inc. His visionary work helped shape the mobile computing landscape, leading the development of some of the most groundbreaking mobile devices and software of the early 2000s.

Beyond his achievements in technology, Ed has been a mentor, advisor, and inspiration to countless entrepreneurs and innovators in the Santa Cruz area. His dedication to fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem in our community is unmatched, consistently sharing his expertise to guide emerging talent.” - Ryan Evans

Round 2 Nominees

Coming Soon