Our Story
2017: 10 Year Anniversary: Amanda, Matthew, Mark Adams (co-founder CruzHacks), Leslie, LeBaron, Doug, Margie, Tom
The History
2007
Founded in 2007 by Doug Erickson, Santa Cruz New Tech emerged from a simple yet profound need: connection. Despite knowing hundreds of tech professionals in Silicon Valley, Doug found few local connections in his hometown of Santa Cruz. The inaugural meetup, enticing friends with free pizza, saw just 20 attendees.
2012
In 2012, Bob Cagle, Bud Colligan, and Bonnie Lipscom established Santa Cruz Works as a comprehensive support network for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, extending beyond the tech sector alone. Their goal was ambitious yet clear: transform Santa Cruz County into a fertile ground for businesses to start, grow, and flourish. This vision encompassed a robust ecosystem, including educational institutions focused on business and technology, support from local entities like the Santa Cruz Economic Development, co-working spaces and accelerators for entrepreneurs, networking events, established businesses offering jobs and mentorship, and venture capital to nurture new ventures.
2015
In 2015, the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) was created to expand the scope of Santa Cruz Works, extending its reach across the tri-county area of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. This initiative aims to cultivate a strategic, cross-sector network that will shape the future of the Monterey Bay region. By adopting a holistic strategy, the focus is placed on critical sectors such as broadband accessibility, housing solutions, and plans for inclusive economic growth.
2019
April 2019 was a landmark moment as Santa Cruz New Tech merged with Santa Cruz Works, uniting under the latter's name to reinforce their collective mission. Operating as a California 501(c)(6) nonprofit mutual benefit corporation, Santa Cruz Works acts as the pivotal community nexus, steered by a diverse board that encapsulates the local economy's spectrum—from tech startups and government to academia and the investment community. Our goal is to nurture a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in the local area, enhancing collaboration, spreading knowledge, and igniting innovation. We strive to synergize the efforts of businesses, educational entities, investors, and the wider community to foster a flourishing local environment.
And yes, our love for pizza remains unabated.