In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko hears from Santa Cruz Works founder Doug Erickson on the local tech scene, AI and more, delivers updates on a temporary change of scene for Arrow Surf & Sport and what’s new with Scotts Valley’s Ambient Photonics, plus local events and recommended reading.
Business & Technology
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Scotts Valley’s Ambient Photonics raises $30 million for solar cell technology
With its proprietary low-light energy harvesting technology, Ambient Photonics is aiming to replace disposable batteries in devices such as remote controls, keyboards, mice and other connected devices.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz Works’ Doug Erickson on how region’s affordable housing crisis affects local tech economy
The tech sector has been hit hard the past few years, and analysts anticipate that tech layoffs in 2023 will exceed the number in 2022. While recession fears continue to reverberate within the larger tech ecosystem, at the local level we’ve seen some significant growth activity. In an interview with Lookout business columnist Jessica M. Pasko, Santa Cruz Works founder Doug Erickson discusses how the region’s affordable housing woes have affected the growth of the local tech industry — and why AI is about to upend everything.
Posted inLatest News
Fast food workers to get wage hikes in last-minute deal on bill that featured prominently in Santa Cruz County
A deal announced Monday by labor groups and the fast food industry would give workers a $20 minimum wage and pull a measure off the 2024 ballot. The Legislature has until Thursday to approve it. The agreement is detailed in changes to Assembly Bill 1228, a proposed law that the fast food industry had lobbied heavily against in Santa Cruz County
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Expansion ahead after Westside medtech firm raises millions
In her inaugural weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko has the latest on startup Capstan Medical, job openings by sector, new board members for Visit Santa Cruz County and more.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz medtech company Capstan Medical raises $31.4 million in new funding round, looks to local expansion
Capstan Medical, founded in 2020, is developing a minimally invasive technology to treat mitral and tricuspid valve disease. The Santa Cruz company recently raised $31.4 million in a Series B fundraising round led by Palo Alto-based venture capital firm Eclipse. The funding will help with hiring in four key areas — software and controls engineering, mechanical engineering, clinical and operations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Tech billionaires’ secretive plan to build a California city from scratch
The billionaires behind Flannery Associates have bought up more than 140 parcels in Solano County with dreams of “a new city with tens of thousands of new homes.”
Posted inFood & Drink
Wait, it’s Denny’s? The rise of virtual restaurants and the mysterious origins of your delivery order
Since the pandemic delivery boom, virtual brands like The Meltdown from Denny’s and ghost franchises like MrBeast Burger are becoming more common on delivery apps like DoorDash. While these delivery-only virtual restaurants support chains and local restaurants alike with thousands of dollars in additional revenue, there are issues with consumer transparency.
Posted inLatest News
Massive expansion of driverless robotaxis approved for San Francisco despite public safety concerns
The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a measure to let robotaxi companies Cruise and Waymo massively expand deployment of their driverless vehicles on San Francisco streets.
Posted inLatest News
California has new weapons to battle summer blackouts: Battery storage, power from record rain
Last summer, a dangerous heat wave across California pushed the power grid almost to the brink. Officials say the state is better equipped to weather such extreme heat this year, but late summer could still be a test.