Santa Cruz Launchpad
About Santa Cruz Launchpad
Santa Cruz Launchpad, previously known as “Get Hired” features an exciting combination of student business pitch competition plus a community career fair open to the public. This year’s event will take place on May 21, 2025 at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove and includes a student business pitch competition from 1-4pm and a job fair open to the public from 5-7pm. THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND. ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. This year’s event is proudly hosted by Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success, QB3, and UC Santa Cruz CIED.
Schedule
12-4pm: Student business plan pitches (open to the public)
4-4:45pm: Table Setup
5-7pm: Job Fair + Networking (open to the public)
Student Pitch Competition | 12-4pm
From 1-4pm, students will compete in a business plan competition for cash prizes. The pitch competition portion of the event typically includes 12 student teams who each have five minutes each to deliver their pitches to a judge panel comprised of UC Santa Cruz alumni and mentors. Check out 2022 and 2023 winners here. If you are a student and would like to compete, application deadline date and info coming soon.
Pitch Prize Categories for 2025 include:
• Biotech/Health (QB3) = $6,000
• Social Impact = $6,000
• Technology = $6,000
• Mainstreet = $2,000
• Runners Up = $1,000
• People's Choice Award = $2,000
• Special Climate Action = $10,000* from UCSC's IBE Hub
Top Santa Cruz Launchpad pitch contest winners are also eligible to participate in the Santa Cruz Accelerates program.
MENTORS WANTED!
If you are interested in being a mentor to a student team, please reach out to Kati katigreaney[at]gmail.com with the subject: Mentor for 2025 Launchpad teams.
Job Fair | 5-7pm
From 5-7pm, job seekers will have the opportunity to interact with 20+ local companies offering 200+ jobs and internships ranging from engineering to marketing, healthcare, project management, sales, customer support, tech, and more.
This event allows students, job seekers, and professionals of all experiences and backgrounds the opportunity to show off their resumes, find career opportunities, and make new connections. There is no charge for job seekers to attend the job fair. The job fair is open to the public (you do not need to be a student or pitch contest participant to participate). But all attendees must register in advance!
Previous employers included Joby Aviation, PayStand, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Ambient Photonics, Cruz Foam, Digital NEST, Bay Federal Credit Union, Mynt, Central California Alliance for Health, Unnatural Products, Santa Cruz Seaside Company, Zero Motorcycles, PVUSD, and more.
2024 Santa Cruz Launchpad Companies
Participating companies and organizations for 2025 coming in May 2025.
Interested in Hiring at SC Launchpad 2025?
If your company is interested in hiring next year, please email Malina: malina@santacruzworks.org with the subject line Hiring at SC Launchpad 2025. Registration link for employers coming soon.