Click here to view the embedded video.

Who: www.SantaCruzIntegration.com

When: I started in 2008.

Why it’s Cool:

Slow Down Music Trainer makes it easy for anyone from Professional Musicians to Elementary School Students to learn new songs by slowing down or speeding up play back without changing the pitch! Use it to slow down a song to work out a tricky solo, hear the lyrics, or work on a transcription. Use it to choreograph a dance routine. Makes a great vocal trainer.

Works with guitar, bass, trumpet, piano, voice or any other instrument

Additional features:

• Change tuning or musical key
• Loop phrases or entire song
• Easy to define and save phrases
• Seamless integration with your devices built in iPod Music player allows you to access your entire music library!

Works with iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone

Sample music by local artist Ken Arconti (http://www.kenarconti.com/)

Where:
4299 Bonny Doon Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA. 95060

E-Mail: andy@SantaCruzIntegration.com

Link: http://www.SantaCruzIntegration.com/MusicTrainer.html

Who: Santa Cruz Application Development

When: Fall 2009 to present

Why it’s Cool: Santa Cruz area schools do not provide adequate curriculum in the areas of web technology. Individuals seeking a career in web application development must look outside Santa Cruz for training. Local tech companies are having difficulty finding local talent with the proper skill set. Everyone loses.

We are filling this gap in vocational training by providing a no cost training program to local residents with basic programming skills. Our interns acquire the skills needed to become web application developers while working on our Bitchin Super Secret Web Application.

Where: Santa Cruz Application Development
101 Cooper Street
Suite 218
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

E-Mail: santacruziscool@santacruzappdev.com

Link: http://santacruzappdev.com/

Who: Infrno, Inc.

When: Infrno launched at Gen Con on 9/8/2010

Why it’s Cool: The table-top RPG market is vibrant, latent, and under-served. People would play more if they didn’t have to be physically together, and Infrno’s virtual game table allows them to play together from anywhere. Infrno will grow this market segment from 2 million to 20 million in 3 years.

Where: 101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

E-Mail: contact@infrno.net

Link: http://infrno.net/

Who: Chris Yonge

When: about three years ago

Why it’s Cool: While thinking about something else I came up with a principle to create a continuously variable gear system for bicycles and machine tools. It’s simple, cheap, reliable, and working prototypes have been made in metal and wood. The patent is pending, and I’m looking for angel investors to take this to the next level: fitting it to a range of commuter and sport bicycles for demonstration at InterBike. The animation just shows the movement of the arms, by the way, not the innovative way they’re adjusted as they rotate.

Where: Chris Yonge, email chris@studiocruz.com

Link: http://www.studiocruz.com/