Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center

05/29/2026

Santa Cruz health tech startups—are you ready to scale? 🧬🚀

We’ve teamed up with ENRICHers and Venture & Capital International to host the Post-BIO International Convention 2026 Extension Program!

If you are a Biotech, Medtech, or Digital Health startup looking to secure U.S. capital and accelerate your market growth, this is for you. From June 29 to July 1, selected startups will head to the SF Bay Area for an intensive Silicon Valley Acceleration Week, featuring pitch workshops and a curated funding summit with over 30 investors.

As part of the Norcal SBDC network, we are proud to offer this game-changing program to our clients for FREE.

⏳ Applications close June 8, 2026.
Visit https://forms.gle/i6KDqW4rEz4rQaos6 to apply today!

As part of the Northern California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program, Santa Cruz SBDC focuses on advising small business clients located in the Santa Cruz SBDC network coverage area. Funded in part through a grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation.

Welcome to the application form for the Post-BIO International Convention 2026 (San Diego, CA) - Extension Program! This application is designed to identify and support high-growth Global Health Tech (Biotech and Medtech) startups seeking capital and growth. It provides the perfect platform to showc...

05/28/2026

💰 Money Matters: Finding and Securing Funding for Your Business 💰

Ready to start or expand your business but need the capital to make it happen? We’ve got you covered! Join us for an exclusive workshop in partnership with Cal Coastal and Comerica Bank. You'll learn directly from the experts on how to confidently approach lenders and access the funds you need.

What we’ll cover:
The step-by-step loan application process
How to prepare a winning business plan
Insider tips for a successful loan application
A live Q&A session to answer your specific questions

Meet the Experts:
🎙️ Lee Takikawa – President & CEO, CalCoastal Rural Development Corp.
🎙️ Keith Holtaway – Business Advisor, Santa Cruz SBDC.

🎁 Bonus: Lunch is provided, AND you'll be entered into a prize drawing to win a brand-new laptop computer! 💻✨

🗓️ When: Friday, July 10, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Where: Cabrillo College, Aptos

🎟️ Admission: Free, but Pre-Registration is REQUIRED!

🔗 Secure your spot now! Head to the link in our bio or visit www.santacruzsbdc.org/events to register.

As part of the Northern California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program, Santa Cruz SBDC focuses on advising small business clients located in the Santa Cruz SBDC network coverage area. Funded in part through a grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation.

The SBDC provides free of charge help to start, manage, or grow your business. Our sole focus is on helping you improve your bottom line.

05/07/2026

Launch Your Business in Santa Cruz County

Starting a business is a major milestone, but the initial logistics can be overwhelming. Join local expert, Keith Holtaway, for a free, 90-minute webinar designed to simplify the process and get you moving forward with confidence.
We are skipping the fluff and focusing on the essential foundations you need to get off the ground.

Date: May 12, 2026
Time: 2-3:30PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Register: https://www.santacruzsbdc.org/events

02/06/2026

Discover how to highlight what makes your business unique, share messages that people easily connect with, understand the groups you want to reach, and use both big‑picture planning and everyday actions to move your business forward with purpose.

11/29/2025

is almost here! Every purchase at a small business supports a dream, a family, a community. This weekend—and every day—choose local.

11/28/2025

Small businesses employ nearly half the American workforce and drive more than 40% of our GDP. Behind every storefront is someone who took a chance on their dream. This , let's show up for them.

11/27/2025

Did you know:
● $22B spent nationally on Small Business Saturday 2024
● $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in community
● 85% of consumers plan to shop small this holiday
● Small businesses = 99.8% of California businesses
Small businesses employ nearly half the American workforce and drive more than 40% of our GDP. Behind every storefront is someone who took a chance on their dream. This , let's show up for them

11/26/2025

11/25/2025

Small businesses employ nearly half the American workforce and drive more than 40% of our GDP. Behind every storefront is someone who took a chance on their dream. This , let's show up for them.

11/11/2025

Happening TODAY!

This workshop will navigate you through the essential logistics of starting a new business in Santa Cruz County.

Legal Structures
Fictitious Business Name
Business Licenses
Possible Permits Needed
Employer Identification Numbers
Required Tax Documents
Employee Classification
Business Insurance
Business Funding