This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz-based crowdfunding site, Sea Dubs mark milestones; next steps for Pajaro Valley apple growers

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.

Climatize marks 40th renewable energy project funded through its crowdsourced funding platform

A Santa Cruz-based company that helps support funding renewable energy projects recently marked the 40th project funded through its platform and surpassed more than $18 million raised for projects around the country.

Climatize, founded three years ago by Alba Forns and Santa Cruz High School alum Will Wiseman, provides a platform for crowdsourcing funding for solar and other renewable energy projects. That includes everything from solar panel installation at a car dealership in Georgia to electric vehicle charging stations in Berkeley and three planned solar sites across former industrial properties in East St. Louis, Illinois. 

On the Climatize platform, individuals (aka investors) can support renewable energy projects via what are essentially microloans, small amounts that start as low as $10 and can add up quickly. More than 4,300 investors have contributed through the platform since its 2023 launch, contributing more than $18 million to various projects. 

Santa Cruz Warriors mark 15th anniversary in downtown Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Warriors, the G League affiliate of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, will commemorate 15 years in existence during the upcoming 2026-27 season. 

Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Grube purchased the team, then known as the Dakota Wizards, on June 28, 2011. The team played its first professional game in Santa Cruz as the Santa Cruz Warriors in December 2012. 

The anniversary events kick off Saturday, June 20, with Santa Cruz guard Chance McMillian signing autographs from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Warriors Team Store at 903 Pacific Ave. downtown.

As the team marks 15 years in Santa Cruz, plans for a new, permanent Warriors arena are inching along. Last summer, the California Coastal Commission signed off on the city’s Downtown Plan Expansion, which includes up to 1,600 new housing units and potential new area in the area south of Laurel Street. Conceptual drawings for a new arena were shared publicly in May 2025.

ICYMI: As Martinelli’s pulls back, local schools and nonprofits rally to support Pajaro Valley apple growers

Earlier this month, Lookout food and drink correspondent Lily Belli reported that Watsonville-based cider company S. Martinelli and Co. had informed some Pajaro Valley apple growers it wouldn’t be renewing their contracts. The decision left those farmers without their biggest apple buyer, prompting some to give up their orchards altogether. 

That story set off a frenzy of activity – soon farmers’ phones were ringing off the hook as community members and business owners wondered what they could do to help. Now Lily has an update: Local schools and nonprofit organizations are looking to work with the apple growers to purchase their fruit. Read her latest story here.

Ch-ch-changes

• Kong’s Burgers and Cafe to close Saturday: After six years, Kong’s Burgers and Cafe in Watsonville is closing its Beach Street restaurant. In a post on the restaurant’s Instagram, owners Sang Soon Ahn and Soon Ja said they plan to travel for a year or so. “This is not goodbye, but see you later, as we plan to reopen at a new location,” they wrote. The restaurant’s last day in business will be Saturday, June 20.
• Unnatural Products announces two new hires: Santa Cruz biotech company Unnatural Products has hired Mark Vander Wal as director of medicinal chemistry. He brings more than a decade of experience to the role. Also new to Unnatural Products is Lucinda R. Hittle, the head of DPMK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) and non-clinical development. She has extensive experience in what’s known as drug hunting and development, at both small and large biopharmaceutical companies. Founded in 2017, Unnatural Products focuses on developing drugs using what are known as macrocyclic peptides, which can be used for highly targeted treatments.

• H&H Fresh Fish Co. opens Westside store: Longtime Santa Cruz Harbor tenants H&H Fresh Fish Co. has opened a second location, in the Swift Street Courtyard complex on the Westside of Santa Cruz. The business, which sells both fresh fish and a small selection of prepared items, held a soft opening last week, just in time for the closure of the Murray Street Bridge. As co-owner Hans Haveman told Lily Belli last year, the decision to open a second location was largely motivated by concerns over how the bridge closure would affect the harbor store. 
• Steel Bonnet Brewing Company to add second location: A Scotts Valley brewery will open a second taproom in Salinas. Scotland natives Donald and Sue Cramb opened Steel Bonnet in Victor Square in 2015. A few years later, the couple opened a larger production facility in Salinas to help increase the amount of beer they could produce. Now, they’re planning to add a second taproom in downtown Salinas in the former Farmers Union Pour House on Main Street.
• UC Santa Cruz dean headed to new role at UC Irvine: Peter Biehl will serve as the vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate division. Biehl has held the role of vice provost and dean of graduate studies at UC Santa Cruz since July 2021. Prior to that, he spent more than a decade at the University at Buffalo in New York state.
• Miel Pilates opening in Capitola: A new pilates studio in Capitola will hold its grand opening on June 27. Miel Pilates is located at 4150 Capitola Rd.

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

What’s new on the Lookout Job Board

• Pastry & Kitchen Manager at The Penny Ice Creamery
• Assistant Manager of Operations at The Quail
• Maintenance Engineer at The Quail
• Caregiver for Seniors – Part Time at Home Senior Care, Inc.
• Accounting Technician at County of Santa Cruz Human Resources Department

Want more? Browse all openings on our job board. | Hiring? Post your job today!

Save the date 

• Monday, June 22: The Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center will host a free workshop about hiring. Led by business coach Melissa Sanchez, the workshop will focus on everything from how to write a job description to how to conduct an interview. Register here for the workshop, slated for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 24: Visit Santa Cruz County will host a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration for its new visitors center from 4 to 6 p.m. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by Thursday by emailing Denise Harris at dharris@santacruz.org. The new center features a special area for neurodivergent travelers, a sensory-friendly space that includes weighted blankets, fidget toys and a quiet environment. It’s located at 705 Front St. in downtown Santa Cruz.
• Wednesday, June 24: Santa Cruz Works’ next CEO Works Luncheon will center on how to turn conflict into collaboration. Little Pineapple Collaborative founder Kelsey Manne Donnellan will provide insight and guidance on conflict resolution in the workplace. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at productOps’ headquarters at 110 Cooper St., Suite 201. Registration and additional details here.
• Friday, June 26: The Capitola Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting celebration for Pet Emporium’s new location at Suite H in the Begonia Plaza on 41st Avenue in Capitola. The business has operated in Capitola for over 30 years, previously up the street at the King’s Plaza Shopping Center. The event starts at 3 p.m.
• Saturday, July 18: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture will host its 64th annual awards dinner and auction from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Among this year’s honorees are C&N Tractors and Michele Bassi, chief development officer for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. Tickets 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

• Consumer prices rose 4.2% annually in May, highest in three years (CNBC)
• The milkman (ProPublica)
• Driscoll’s CEO says consumer education key to agriculture’s future (AgNet West Radio Network)

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.