Our Events

Santa Cruz Works is proud to host a variety of monthly and annual events for the community to connect, collaborate, and engage with efforts to support technological development, build startups, find jobs, learn about new tools and practices, and support sustainability in Santa Cruz County. You can learn more about our events below. Check out our Events Calendar for upcoming events!

Want to present your company at a New Tech, or host a clinic? Follow the Apply link.

New Tech

Every month, we ignite the stage with visionary thinkers ready to dazzle you with jaw-dropping insights from across the cosmos! Dive into the latest products and startups, and mingle with the brightest minds in Santa Cruz County! 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 scrumptious food, electrifying live music, and refreshing drinks! New Tech is your monthly rendezvous, typically lighting up the first Wednesday of every month from 6-8 pm. 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!

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

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.

Company Spotlight Breakfasts

Opportunity to visit office spaces and headquarters of local companies while meeting with professionals over breakfast. A different company is spotlighted each breakfast. Get insights into their mission, values, products, employees, and what makes them thrive. This is a great intimate but casual opportunity to mingle and network.

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.

OTHER EVENTS

Blue Innovation

Blue Innovation is an annual event that exists to connect researchers, organizations, and community members who are passionate about protecting our ocean and water sources. Day 1 is open to the public and includes activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Day 2 is for scientists, researchers, and industry to connect and collaborate. Check out last year’s event.

Cruz Hacks

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

This exciting annual event combines a student business plan teams competition with cash prizes and a job fair open to the public. Featuring 15+ local companies offering 200+ jobs for new and seasoned professionals, and interns. Plus, cash prizes for students who compete in business plan competition.

Titans of Tech Awards

Titans of Tech is an annual celebration of the people in Santa Cruz County who have most contributed to the growth of our community. Notable awardees include: JoeBen Bevirt (Joby Aviation), Marc Randolph (Netflix), Guy Kawasaki (Canva), Margaret Lawrence Rosas (Looker), and Nina Simon (MAH). Check out past Titan awardees and their speeches here.