Santa Cruz Launchpad 2026

Santa Cruz Launchpad is the largest annual student startup competition and community job fair event in Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz Launchpad, previously known as “Get Hired” features an exciting combination of student startup competition plus a community job fair. This year’s Santa Cruz Launchpad event is proudly hosted by Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, The County Office of Education, and CIED.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND. Parking is free and included with your registration BUT you must park in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk lot across from the Cocoanut Grove/Neptune's Kingdom and hold onto your ticket. Ticket validation machine will be available upstairs in the Cocoanut Grove lobby by check in.

SCHEDULE

• 12-4pm: Student startup and business plan pitches (open to the public)
• 3:30-4:45pm: Employer Table setup
• 5-7pm: Job Fair + Networking (open to the public)

STARTUP CONTEST

From 12-4pm, students will compete in a startup competition to win 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 UCSC alumni and mentors. Check out 2023 and 2024 winners here. If you are interested in participating in the startup competition, please sign up here [LINK COMING SOON] by April 8.

JOB FAIR

From 5-7pm, job seekers will have the opportunity to interact with 20+ local companies offering 200+ jobs and internships ranging from aviation, engineering, marketing, healthcare, project management, sales, customer support, and MUCH more.

This event allows students, job seekers, and professionals of all experience levels 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 contest participant to participate). But all attendees must register in advance!

DAY OF REGISTRATION: Walk-in registration allowed but any registrants after 5pm May 13 (late registration) must fill out the sign in sheet.

EMPLOYERS

Sign up for your booth by registering for an Employer Table ticket. Fee is waived for Santa Cruz Works Business Partners (please use Partner Ticket option). For non-profits who are hiring and would like to participate for free, please email malina[at]santacruzwork.org for a discount promo code as soon as possible. If you are not a non-profit but the registration fee is a significant barrier for your company to participate, please reach out to us to let us know at info@santacruzworks.org. Please sign up by 5pm April 29 or sooner as space is limited!

Want to volunteer?

We could use your help! Various shifts available. Go to: https://bit.ly/sclaunchpadvolunteer

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SANTA CRUZ LAUNCHPAD

LIST OF PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS COMING MAY 2026