Investing in the next generation of world-class innovation cultivated in the Monterey Bay Area
The founders of this region—past and present—have reshaped how we experience the world, affirming our belief in the next generation of visionaries born out of the Monterey Bay region, stretching from Monterey to Santa Cruz County
Netflix (IPO)
Seagate (IPO)
Joby (IPO)
Plantronics (IPO, Acq.)
Santa Cruz Bicycles (Acq.)
Acerta Pharma (Acq.)
Zero Motorcyles
Oxford Nanopore (IPO)
Human Genome Project
Fox Racing (Acq.)
Prometheus Fuels (Unicorn)
Jane Technologies
Olipop (Unicorn)
Looker (Acq.)
YoDerm (Acq.)
Odwalla (Acq.)
Ohalo Genetics
LightSurf (Acq.)
Verve Coffee
Paystand (Unicorn)
Capstan Medical
Sweet Earth (Acq.)
Borland (Acq.)
Verdagy
Supply Shift (Acq.)
Unnatural Products
Versa Vascular
Gooder Foods
O'Neill (Acq.)
Martinelli's
MakerDAO
Peregrine Hydrogen
Ambient Photonics
Emboline
Bastille Networks
Cal Giant
Future Motion
FullPower AI
Future Motion/One-Wheel
LifeAid
MURJ
Driscolls
MagArray
Parallel Flight
Swell Cycle
Qool Therapeutics
West Peak Sparkling Spirits
Universal Audio
...and many more...
Netflix (IPO) Seagate (IPO) Joby (IPO) Plantronics (IPO, Acq.) Santa Cruz Bicycles (Acq.) Acerta Pharma (Acq.) Zero Motorcyles Oxford Nanopore (IPO) Human Genome Project Fox Racing (Acq.) Prometheus Fuels (Unicorn) Jane Technologies Olipop (Unicorn) Looker (Acq.) YoDerm (Acq.) Odwalla (Acq.) Ohalo Genetics LightSurf (Acq.) Verve Coffee Paystand (Unicorn) Capstan Medical Sweet Earth (Acq.) Borland (Acq.) Verdagy Supply Shift (Acq.) Unnatural Products Versa Vascular Gooder Foods O'Neill (Acq.) Martinelli's MakerDAO Peregrine Hydrogen Ambient Photonics Emboline Bastille Networks Cal Giant Future Motion FullPower AI Future Motion/One-Wheel LifeAid MURJ Driscolls MagArray Parallel Flight Swell Cycle Qool Therapeutics West Peak Sparkling Spirits Universal Audio ...and many more...
We Collaborate.
UC Santa Cruz is a world-renowned research university with strong ties to Silicon Valley along with a second campus in Santa Clara, CA.
Their Baskin School of Engineering is a powerhouse of innovation, known for pioneering research in AI, bioinformatics, and sustainability, and for producing world-class engineers who shape Silicon Valley and beyond.
Focusing specifically on science and engineering, they have approximately 30 dedicated research institutes, centers, and core facilities. These span disciplines such as genomics, stem cell biology, particle physics, nanotechnology, renewable energy, data science, biomedical engineering, and more.
The UC Santa Cruz Division of Physical & Biological Sciences has three large international research institutes, a 10,000-acre Natural Reserve System, and multiple research centers that are responsible for some of the most pivotal scientific discoveries during the last 50 years.
Santa Cruz Ventures is a proud sponsor and partner of Santa Cruz Works, the leading force behind the region’s innovation ecosystem for over 15 years. As a central hub for the startup and tech community, Santa Cruz Works fosters meaningful connections among entrepreneurs, investors, students, established companies, and institutions like UC Santa Cruz. With over 12,000 engaged members, the organization draws talent, attention, and resources from across the region. Through robust programming—ranging from networking and education to access to capital and advisory support—Santa Cruz Works plays a vital role in powering the local innovation economy. Santa Cruz Ventures proudly supports this mission to elevate regional founders and inspire the next wave of world-class innovation.
We Partner.
Other Ecosystem Catalyzers
DART (Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology) is a Monterey Bay-based organization focused on advancing the regional ecosystem for drone, automation, and robotics innovation. It fosters collaboration between startups, industry leaders, educational institutions, and government entities to drive workforce development, research, and commercialization in emerging technologies. DART supports projects ranging from precision agriculture to public safety and environmental monitoring, often leveraging partnerships with organizations like UC Santa Cruz and Joby Aviation. Its mission is to position the Central Coast as a hub for cutting-edge autonomous systems and sustainable technology solutions.
The Reservoir is a nonprofit initiative launched in 2024 to accelerate agricultural robotics and automation by embedding innovation directly into California’s farming communities. Its flagship program, Reservoir Farms, is the world’s first on-farm robotics incubator, with facilities opening in Salinas and Merced in 2025. These incubators provide startups with access to real-world testing environments, dedicated shop space, and direct collaboration with growers, addressing critical gaps in agtech development. By focusing on specialty crops and climate-smart technologies, The Reservoir aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of California agriculture, the power house of US agriculture.
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) is an incubator dedicated to accelerating agricultural technology solutions. It provides startups with co-working space, mentorship, and direct access to growers to pilot and refine their innovations. The center focuses on solving real-world challenges in agriculture, such as labor shortages, water efficiency, and food safety. By connecting agtech entrepreneurs with the farming community, WGCIT helps bring practical, scalable technologies to market. Western Growers is also a trade association representing family farmers who grow fresh produce and tree nuts in California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The organization advocates on behalf of its members on key issues.
We Collaborate. We Sponsor. We Invest. We Donate.
We are Santa Cruz Ventures.