Santa Cruz

Attention restaurant owners. Santa Cruz Works is hosting an invitation-only luncheon on May 13 at the Cocoanut Grove. It's a private introduction to AIO, an AI platform built specifically for restaurant operations. If you run a restaurant in the Santa Cruz area, this is worth exploring. Here's why: most restaurant owners are dealing with the same operational challenges. Scheduling, inventory, customer communication, order management. The tools built for enterprise operations don't fit the way small restaurants actually work. And generic AI platforms require too much setup to be useful when you're already stretched thin. AIO was designed for restaurant operations from the ground up. The luncheon offers a chance to see how it works, ask questions directly, and evaluate whether it solves problems you're dealing with right now. You'll also get insight into Launchpad 2026, Santa Cruz County's largest job fair. If hiring or talent retention is on your radar, that's a second reason to attend. This isn't a public event. It's invitation-only, which means smaller group, direct access, and real conversation with the people building the platform and the local business community showing up to learn about it. If you're in the area and you want to evaluate tools that could streamline how you run your restaurant, this is a solid opportunity to do that in person. Check the Santa Cruz Works site for details and how to request an invitation. https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/luncheon-brings-restaurant-leaders-together-for-a-look-at-aio …more

On Thursday, April 30 from 5–7 p.m., the Santa Cruz Hardware Meetup is hosting a behind-the-scenes tour of Idea Fab Labs at their Mission Street location. RSVP here: https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/idea-fab-labs-x-santa-cruz-hardware-meetup. Comment below if you plan to attend. …more

As founder of my own Santa Cruz Startup, @Radi8, I encourage Santa Cruz small business owners to complete the Santa Cruz Works Work-Life survey. Your responses will help shape local programs, events and benefits. All participants are entered to win gifts from UpperCrust, Merge4, Laili, Pleasure Pizza, Big Basin Vineyards, Humble Sea and Chaminade Resort and Spa. Winners announced May 7. Take the survey: https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/2026worklivesurvey If you're a local business owner, comment and I’ll reach out to discuss simple marketing steps based on the results. #SantaCruz …more

Santa Cruz Works New Tech on April 1 at Chaminade includes a rare Steve Jobs appearance for Apple’s 50th anniversary. ;-) If you plan on going, send me a message. 7:00 pm - Company presentations, plus 2 more to be announced soon Bandit Systems: Security should stop problems before they become expensive headaches. Bandit Systems’ RealTime Remote Guard Service uses AI video analytics, cameras, patented audio systems, and trained operators to resolve 98% of crime and trespassing incidents in under 60 seconds. Cora Nexus AI: Customer Success agents that actually do the manual work to serve and grow your customers. So your teams can focus on the human, relationship-driven work to drive growth. mimofit: mimofit is building a home-based training system for people with Parkinson’s and related conditions. By combining adaptive exercise, neuroplasticity research, and simple at-home use, the company aims to make meaningful therapy more accessible and more consistent. Subsense: Subsense is developing a non-surgical, minimally invasive brain-computer interface that uses biocompatible nanoparticles and a wearable headset to read and write neural signals. Starting with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and epilepsy, the company aims to build a scalable platform for future human-AI interaction, communication, and cognitive enhancement. The Hidden Singing Superpower: Fresh from UCSC Grad Slam 2026, Matt Evans explores a fascinating question: why does music remain so durable in memory even as other memories fade? His work looks at the surprising accuracy of internal musical recall and what that reveals about the brain. Vispo AI: Vispo helps founders manage the legal foundations of a startup without drowning in paperwork or legal bills. Its AI-powered platform guides users through incorporation, SAFE financing, and compliance, acting like a legal co-pilot built specifically for early-stage companies. https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/santa-cruz-works-new-tech-april-2026 …more

I read "Santa Cruz is not Silicon Valley (and we don't want to be.)" and it landed for me. From launching startups and local programs I've learned you can build world-class companies while staying rooted in the place and values that matter. Practical moves that helped teams here: get customer feedback early, hire flexibly to keep local talent, run small paid pilots, and build mentor networks. Send me a message. https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/santa-cruz-is-not-silicon-valley-and-we-dont-want-to-be …more

If you haven’t seen the Chaminade Resort & Spa lately, come check it out. They renovated all 156 guestrooms and suites with EDG’s contemporary mission-style design, natural materials, and Santa Cruz photography. Santa Cruz Works members get 25% off rooms, 50% off meeting rentals, and 20% off team-building. Our New Tech Meetup on March 4 will be at the Chaminade. One lesson from running early-stage events: venue quality reduces friction for attendees and organizers. Interested in attending or collaborating? Send me a message. #NewTechMeetup https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/chaminade-new-elevated-guest-rooms …more