Santa Cruz Launchpad 2024

Santa Cruz Launchpad, previously known as “Get Hired” features an exciting combination of student business pitch competition plus a community career fair open to the public.

This year’s Santa Cruz Launchpad event is proudly hosted by Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, Blackstone Launchpad, QB3 UCSC, UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success, CIED, and the City of Santa Cruz.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND. ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

• 1-4pm: Student business plan pitches (open to the public)
• 4-5pm: employer setup
• 5-7pm: Job Fair + Networking (open to the public)

From 12-4pm, students will compete in a business plan competition for $40,000 in 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 2022 and 2023 winners here.

Pitch categories for 2024 include: Social Impact, Mainstreet, Technology, Community Impact, People’s Choice, Climate Action, and Runner Ups. If you are a student and would like to compete, apply by no later than April 26.

If you are interested in being a mentor to a student team, please reach out to Kati katigreaney[at]gmail.com

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

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

Last year’s employers included Joby Aviation, PayStand, Looker / Google, Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Ambient Photonics, Cruz Foam, Digital NEST, Bay Federal Credit Union, Unnatural Products, Santa Cruz Seaside Company, Zero Motorcycles, and more.

2024 PARTCIPATING COMPANIES TO BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY 2024

See prior year information and companies here.

Host or Publisher Santa Cruz Works