Santa Cruz Works New Tech April 1, 2026
Overview
On April 1, New Tech at Chaminade brings organoids, brain interfaces, AI, music, and big ideas into one must-see Santa Cruz night.
Join us on April 1 for Santa Cruz Works New Tech, returning to Chaminade for another evening of fresh ideas, smart people, and the kind of rapid-fire innovation that makes it hard to stay cynical for five full minutes. The first hour is all about connection: appetizers, beverages, networking, exhibits, and live music are all included with your event ticket. Then, at 7:00 pm, we shift into founder mode with a lineup of fast-paced presentations from companies and researchers tackling security, health, legal tech, behavioral AI, and even the mysteries of music and memory. But first, our effusive thanks to sponsor: Avison Young. Two Santa Cruz natives will bring glory and fame to this event.
Mayor Keeley
Our illustrious Mayor Keeley will address several of the community’s most pressing challenges, including the city’s fiscal condition, housing availability, homelessness, and economic support for local businesses. The discussion will explore practical realities, competing priorities, and opportunities to strengthen long-term stability, improve quality of life, and support a more resilient local economy.
Steve Jobs AI
April 1 is also the 50th anniversary of Apple Computer. We have asked the ghost of Steve Jobs to answer a few questions for us during the event. Steve Jobs accurately predicted the rise of Generative AI, or machine-driven knowledge, as early as 1983-95. He envisioned computers that could capture an individual's "underlying spirit" and principles to answer questions after they passed. He viewed AI as a potential "bicycle for the mind" that could enhance human creativity and intellect.
6:00 pm - Doors open for appetizers, beverages, networking, exhibits, and live music by Cruz Control
7:00 pm - Company presentations, plus 2 more to be announced soon
Bandit Systems: Security should stop problems before they become expensive headaches. Bandit Systems’ RealTime Remote Guard Service uses AI video analytics, cameras, patented audio systems, and trained operators to resolve 98% of crime and trespassing incidents in under 60 seconds.
Cora Nexus AI: Cora is closing the "Friction Gap" by using AI to translate human signals - like hesitations and navigational loops - into immediate growth from existing site traffic. By shifting from static data to prescriptive behavioral insights, the company identifies and eliminates the invisible barriers that prevent high-intent visitors from crossing the finish line.
mimofit: mimofit is building a home-based training system for people with Parkinson’s and related conditions. By combining adaptive exercise, neuroplasticity research, and simple at-home use, the company aims to make meaningful therapy more accessible and more consistent.
Open Culture Science: Open Culture Science is turning fragile, labor-intensive organoid research into a scalable engine for discovery. From its Santa Cruz lab, the company is building automated systems that help biotech teams test therapies faster, model disease more accurately, catch toxicity earlier, and move promising ideas toward real-world breakthroughs.
Subsense: Subsense is developing a non-surgical, minimally invasive brain-computer interface that uses biocompatible nanoparticles and a wearable headset to read and write neural signals. Starting with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and epilepsy, the company aims to build a scalable platform for future human-AI interaction, communication, and cognitive enhancement.
The Hidden Singing Superpower: Fresh from UCSC Grad Slam 2026, Matt Evans explores a fascinating question: why does music remain so durable in memory even as other memories fade? His work looks at the surprising accuracy of internal musical recall and what that reveals about the brain.
Vispo AI: Vispo helps founders manage the legal foundations of a startup without drowning in paperwork or legal bills. Its AI-powered platform guides users through incorporation, SAFE financing, and compliance, acting like a legal co-pilot built specifically for early-stage companies.
