Quick Take:

Jessica M. Pasko's weekly column is back with news of local payments company Paystand partnering with a big name, a U.S. Trade Commission investigation in to Joby Aviation, upcoming dates to know, and more.

Each week, we’re taking a closer look at the movers and shakers, the growth of industries and what’s really driving the Santa Cruz County economy. I’ll be spotlighting some of the biggest areas for opportunity, updates on local development and all things underpinning the regional business scene each Wednesday.

Got ideas? Send them my way to news@lookoutlocal.com with “Business News” in the subject line.

Santa Cruz fintech joins Bitcoin’s executive network

Santa Cruz-based payments company Paystand has joined Bitcoin for Corporations to expand access to the company’s payments solutions. Bitcoin for Corporations helps public and pre-IPO companies more easily adopt Bitcoin for business uses. The network currently has 38 member companies.

As a vendor partner of Bitcoin for Corporations, Paystand will make available to member companies its full slate of payroll, spend management, accounts payable and accounts receivable solutions built on Bitcoin.

Founded in 2014, Paystand helps companies do things like pay vendors directly without having to mail them a paper check or automate payments for recurring bills. It uses technology like blockchain, cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer networks.

U.S. Trade Commission to investigate claims against Joby Aviation

a close-up of the Joby Aviation logo on one of its aircraft
Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate allegations that Santa Cruz-based Joby Aviation violated certain tariff laws. 

The investigation stems from a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Jose last month by Joby’s main rival, Archer Aviation. The San Jose-based electric helicopter company alleges that Joby engaged in unfair practices in the importation and sale of certain components used in the company’s vehicle. Attorneys for Archer Aviation requested the trade commission issue a cease and desist order. The trade commission expects to make a final determination in the case within the next few months.

The move represents the latest development in an ongoing rivalry between Archer and Joby, two of the biggest players in the rapidly-growing electric air taxi sector. 

In November, Joby filed a suit against Archer accusing the company and a former employee of stealing proprietary information. Archer countersued in March, claiming that Joby fraudulently misclassified thousands of pounds of Chinese-origin aircraft materials as consumer items in an attempt to evade U.S. tariffs and regulations.

ICYMI: A call for help brings diners back to Dharma’s, but long-term challenges remain

Dharma's Capitola
Founded in 1982, Dharma’s is one of Santa Cruz County’s oldest vegetarian restaurants. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Long-time vegetarian mainstay Dharma’s in Capitola is struggling amid rising prices and changing consumer habits, and its owners are calling on the community for help.

For four decades, the restaurant has been serving up healthy lunches and dinners, attracting regulars with its large portions and fully vegetarian menu. Increased costs of ingredients, labor and utilities, however, are making the venture more and more difficult.

As owner Yogi Shapiro told Lily Belli last week, the situation grew so dire he decided to write an open letter calling on the community for support even as he considers other ways to keep the business his father started afloat. 

Read her full piece here.

Ch-ch-changes

  • Leader of Elderday to retire next month: Lois Sones, long-time program director at Elderday Adult Day Health Care, is stepping down from her role next month. Sones has been at the helm of Elderday, a program of Community Bridges, since December 2014. Community Bridges has launched a search for Sones’ replacement.
  • County leaders seek input on broadband access: Santa Cruz County leaders have launched an informational survey to learn more about the broadband internet needs of local residents and businesses. The information will help the county as it works to expand access locally. The short survey is available here. One participant per household is requested, and participants must be at least 18 years old.
Ray Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Community Bridges CEO appointed to state committee: Ray Cancino was recently named to the state’s Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee. The committee’s purpose is to advance community living, inclusion and integration throughout the state.
  • West Coast Community Bank to open new San Jose branch: Leaders at Santa Cruz-headquartered West Coast Community Bank announced they’ll be opening a new full-service branch at 10 Almaden Boulevard in downtown San Jose later this year. The branch will serve as the bank’s flagship location in Santa Clara County.
  • Zero Motorcycles names new marketing leader: Electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles has hired Jarno Middelbosch as senior director of global marketing. Middelbosch previously led marketing for North Europe at Ducati and worked for Harley Davidson, in addition to roles at Red Bull, Lucid Motors and Valvoline. Zero Motorcycles moved its headquarters from Scotts Valley to the Netherlands last fall, but maintains some operations locally, including research and development.
  • Leadership changes ahead at Dream Inn Santa Cruz: Darren Pound, who has served as vice president and general manager of the Dream Inn since 2016, will leave the hotel May 1 for a new role. Pound will be taking over as vice president and general manager at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park. Taking over Pound’s role in Santa Cruz will be Dan Smart, who left the Dream Inn last year to take the role of hotel manager at La Bahia Hotel and Spa. Both the Dream Inn and La Bahia are owned by Ensemble Hospitality. La Bahia General Manager Markus Krebs has now been appointed area general manager and will oversee both hotels.

Got hires, promotions or departures to report? Send them to news@lookoutlocal.com with the subject line “Career changes.”

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Save the date

  • Thursday, April 16: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual community recognition awards event at The Grove in Santa Cruz from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Register here.
  • Thursday, April 16: Cabrillo College is hosting a job and internship fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aptos campus. The event is open to the public and participation is free for employers. More details available here.
  • Saturday, April 18: The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz will hold a teen job training from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help local teens with guidance on how to land a summer job. The free event, to be held at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History on Front Street, includes lunch, résumé-writing tips and presentations from local employers. Register here.
  • Saturday, April 18: Downtown jewelry store Variance will hold a 10th anniversary celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. The store, owned by Scott Zankman and Nicole Rimedio, is located at 1537 Pacific Ave., Suite 101 in Santa Cruz.
  • Tuesday, April 28: The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce will hold its next business after-hours event at Bargetto Winery, 3535 North Main St., Soquel. The event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. More details here.
  • Thursday, April 30: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding a mixer at Pajaro Loaves and Fishes, 150 Second St., Watsonville. The event, scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m., will include networking, refreshments and raffles.
  • Thursday, May 7: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a cornhole tournament and mixer at GaryAir hangar, 50 Aviation Way, Watsonville, from 5 to 7 p.m. Details and registration are here.
  • Friday, May 8: The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual community awards event at Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton. The event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. More details here.
  • Wednesday, May 13: The Santa Cruz Launchpad job and recruitment fair takes place at The Grove on 400 Beach St. in Santa Cruz from 5 to 7 p.m. Employers can register to attend and have a table by April 29. More details here.
  • Friday, May 15: The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership will hold its 2026 Regional Economic Outlook, bringing together business, government and community leaders from Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Featured speakers include Jon Haveman, executive director of the National Economic Education Delegation, and Sylvain Leduc, an executive director with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. Registration, tickets and more details are available here.

Add your business or networking events to Lookout’s free public calendar, BOLO. Click here to add your event.

Business news worth reading

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Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for almost two decades. She cut her teeth in journalism as a reporter for the Associated Press in her native Albany, New York, where she covered everything...