Investing in the next generation of world-class innovation cultivated in the Monterey Bay Area
Netflix
Seagate
Joby
Plantronics
Zero Motorcyles
Santa Cruz Bicycles
Human Genome Project
Verdagy
Jane Technologies
Ohalo Genetics
Oxford Nanopore
Capstan Medical
Versa Vascular
Unnatural Products
Acerta Pharma
Verve Coffee
Olipop
Prometheus Fuels
LightSurf
Fox Racing
Martinelli's
Looker
FullPower AI
Ambient Photonics
Paystand
Future Motion
O'Neill
GraniteRock
Driscolls
Cal Giant
YoDerm
Gooder Foods
Bastille Networks
Sweet Earth
Odwalla
Beyond Pricing
LifeAid
Santa Cruz Naturals
LifeAid
Borland
MagArray
Peregrine Hydrogen
...and many more...
Netflix Seagate Joby Plantronics Zero Motorcyles Santa Cruz Bicycles Human Genome Project Verdagy Jane Technologies Ohalo Genetics Oxford Nanopore Capstan Medical Versa Vascular Unnatural Products Acerta Pharma Verve Coffee Olipop Prometheus Fuels LightSurf Fox Racing Martinelli's Looker FullPower AI Ambient Photonics Paystand Future Motion O'Neill GraniteRock Driscolls Cal Giant YoDerm Gooder Foods Bastille Networks Sweet Earth Odwalla Beyond Pricing LifeAid Santa Cruz Naturals LifeAid Borland MagArray Peregrine Hydrogen ...and many more...
The founders of this region—past and present—have reshaped how we experience the world, affirming our belief in the next generation of visionary entrepreneurship emerging in the Monterey Bay Area
We Collaborate.
UC Santa Cruz is a world-renowned research university with ties to Silicon Valley along with a second campus in Santa Clara, CA.
Focusing specifically on science and engineering, UCSC has 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.
We Partner.
SCW has focused on building and supporting the regional innovation ecosystem at large for over 15 years. They act as a startup and tech community hub, fostering connections between entrepreneurs, investors, students, established companies, and institutions like UC Santa Cruz. Drawing attention and support from across the region, many of the brightest, most creative minds in the community tune in (12,000+ members). The organization provides networking, education, access to capital, and a variety of advisory resources — all of which help power the innovation economy. Santa Cruz Ventures is a proud partner of Santa Cruz Works and shares in its mission to elevate the region’s founders and inspire the next wave of world-class innovation.
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.