This Week's Latest Tech News in Santa Barbara, CA - Sunday April 27th 2025 Edition

Santa Barbara’s tech scene in April 2025 is driven by electrification, cutting-edge research, and its fast-evolving role in the national space conversation. Regional highlights include the rollout of the Monarch Electric Tractor at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the addition of 12 zero-emission buses by the Ventura County Transportation Commission, helping California work toward major greenhouse gas reductions.

The city’s vibrant startup ecosystem now counts over 200 tech companies and projects more than 1,300 new tech jobs by 2027, with an average industry salary of $151,861 - well above national averages, as detailed in recent local tech news.

UCSB is making waves in photonics and AI, with spinouts like Ayar Labs driving advancements in optical data transmission to meet growing AI sector demands. Meanwhile, Vandenberg Space Force Base remains a launch hub; SpaceX and Firefly Aerospace continue expanding launches, notably supporting the newest satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office - a shift toward a “proliferated architecture” of smaller, resilient satellites described in this overview of NRO’s constellation.

However, increased space activity is also spurring conversations about environmental stewardship, reflecting local priorities as discussed in coverage of Vandenberg launches and their coastal impact.

The following sections will break down these trends in transport, startups, jobs, and the region’s ongoing commitment to responsible innovation.

Santa Barbara continues to advance the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable transportation initiatives.

One notable step is the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s adoption of the Monarch electric tractor, a move that pushes the organization closer to a fully renewable operation.

This Monarch MK-V tractor is not just electric, but also autonomous, designed to improve operational efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions - a priority supported by partnerships like Monarch’s program with Dairy Farmers of America, which aims to boost access and savings for farmers nationwide while supporting sustainability and labor efficiency goals.

Meanwhile, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) recently added five electric buses to its Coastal Express fleet, serving routes between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

This expansion is designed to support stabilized post-pandemic ridership and attract new users while reducing diesel consumption and emissions, in line with broader state climate targets.

FedEx, too, is making significant inroads by piloting electric delivery vans in the Santa Barbara region. This pilot is part of FedEx’s goal to transition its parcel pickup and delivery fleet to all-electric vehicles by 2040; already, about a quarter of FedEx-owned vehicles at the main Santa Barbara site are electric, and the company expects to further reduce noise pollution and fossil fuel dependency.

These heavy-duty vehicle shifts matter because, according to a U.S. Department of Energy study, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for more than one-third of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation - a statistic that underscores the potential impact of these local transitions.

• The Monarch electric tractor at the Botanic Garden demonstrates a move toward a fully renewable operation, setting a local example for sustainable agriculture.
• VCTC's electric buses support emissions reduction and stabilize ridership, reinforcing public transit's role in meeting state climate goals.
• FedEx’s electric delivery van pilot signals a serious commitment to reducing fossil fuel dependency and noise in Santa Barbara's neighborhoods.
• DOE study findings remind us that heavy-duty vehicles contribute substantially to transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the importance of these local initiatives.

By embracing electric tractors and buses, and supporting pilot projects for delivery fleets, Santa Barbara is creating real-world models for sustainability and operational innovation.

For more on these local electrification efforts, see coverage in the Santa Barbara Independent: Heavy-Duty EVs Hit the Road, details on Monarch’s Collaborative Programs, and information on the Electric Tractor Market Outlook.

“These kinds of local transitions put Santa Barbara on the map as an innovator in sustainability,” says Patricia Lee, who directs regional transportation research.

Santa Barbara’s focus on climate solutions was on full display at Earth Day 2025, where the community rallied around low-emission transportation and broader accessibility for all residents.

Hosted at Alameda Park and organized by the Community Environmental Council, the festival marked its 55th year as one of the largest and longest-running events of its kind.

Attendees explored sustainable mobility options like electric vehicle “Ride & Drive” experiences, over 200 eco-friendly exhibitors, and local resources for reducing carbon footprints.

Making environmentally friendly transit easy, Santa Barbara MTD and other regional agencies offered free bus rides throughout Earth Day weekend, enabling residents and visitors to attend using public transport, which helps lower emissions and congestion.

The festival encouraged other car-free choices, like biking and walking, by providing a free bike valet service at the park and highlighting nearby transit and train options to maximize accessibility.

In keeping with the “Our Power, Our Planet” Earth Day theme, community leaders also emphasized programs advancing transit equity - spotlighting the impact of access to clean vehicles for all income levels and the ease of integrating green travel into daily routines.

The event further recognized environmental champions, honored at the Saturday Main Stage during the Environmental Hero Awards, and unified diverse groups around hands-on educational exhibits and climate-forward food.

For a complete rundown of activities and ways the city is championing shared transit, visit the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival official website.

By weaving these efforts together, the city continues setting an example for how local action and collaboration can build a more sustainable, connected future.

Big news for the Santa Barbara tech scene: Goleta-based Aeluma has secured a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contract to develop low-cost, scalable shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodetectors.

This project is expected to accelerate the commercialization of sensors for emerging applications such as AI, AR/VR, and machine vision, all while addressing current barriers like high costs and power inefficiency.

SWIR technology, which enables detection beyond the visible spectrum and is eye-safe for consumer devices, positions Aeluma at the forefront of next-generation sensing innovation.

The company's recent financial report highlights record quarterly revenue of $1.6 million and updated 2025 guidance, projecting $4.4 to $4.6 million in annual revenue - underscoring momentum fueled by government and commercial agreements.

CEO Michael Hernandez commented that the DOE partnership advances not just Aeluma’s technology, but also strengthens the Santa Barbara region as a hub for sensor and photonics development.

For more details on the impact and applications of this DOE contract, visit Aeluma’s official press release.

Highlights of Aeluma’s ongoing expansion include:

• The DOE contract enables growth in SWIR sensor technologies aimed at significant markets such as AI and quantum computing, opening new opportunities for innovation. Read more in this industry update.
• Their cleanroom facility investment provides a technologically advanced production environment, ensuring scalable manufacturing and support for rapid prototyping across different sectors.
• A focus on strategic leadership is demonstrated by adding new board members like Patricia Johnson, who brings deep financial expertise in growing semiconductor businesses in the AI space.

A snapshot of Aeluma’s growth trajectory:

Metric	2024	2025 (Guidance)	% Change
Revenue	$2.1M (Q1–Q2)	$4.4–$4.6M (FY)	Up 10%
Cleanroom Sq. Ft.	State-of-the-art facility	Expanded capabilities	Ongoing

As Aeluma advances in sectors ranging from mobile to quantum computing, it is poised to address growing market demand for high-performance sensing solutions.

To follow their latest milestones, visit their Q2 2025 financial update.

The surge in AI workloads is rapidly reshaping the data center landscape, pushing energy and bandwidth requirements to new highs in 2025. Recent projections highlight that electricity demand from data centers worldwide could more than double by 2030, primarily driven by the rise of AI capabilities, with AI-optimized data centers already accounting for a substantial portion of power growth in advanced economies.

This has made the need for fast and efficient data transfer between chips a top priority as AI models become larger and more complex. To address both the energy challenges and data movement bottlenecks, UCSB and its photonics-focused start-ups are stepping up with innovative solutions.

Companies like Ayar Labs, co-founded by UCSB alumni, have introduced UCIe optical chiplets that deliver up to 8 Tbps bandwidth, drastically reducing latency and power consumption in server communication.

Meanwhile, university research is driving forward new 3D photonics platforms, integrating photonic and electronic components for ultra-low-energy, high-bandwidth links - a critical step recognized as key to unlocking next-generation AI hardware efficiency, as noted in a recent Dartmouth-led study.

Solutions pioneered by UCSB spinouts such as Avicena, which employ microLED-based interconnects, continue to advance the cause of sustainable AI architectures by significantly reducing the power per bit transferred.

These local breakthroughs align with industry-wide trends, where the demand for new, more sustainable data center solutions is growing rapidly; global analysis shows data centers may reach up to 2% of global electricity consumption in 2025 and potentially more as generative AI expands, according to IEA findings.

With its blend of academic leadership and start-up innovation, Santa Barbara is helping shape a future where optical interconnects underpin both the capacity and efficiency needed for tomorrow’s AI-powered world.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is reshaping how much energy data centers consume, and local experts like UCSB’s Professor Eric Masanet are studying these changes closely.

Powering AI now requires specialized graphics processing units (GPUs), which use significantly more electricity than standard servers. According to Professor Masanet, AI servers can consume up to 10 times the power of regular servers, especially when training large models and running them at scale.

Recent estimates show that global data center energy consumption reached between 240 and 340 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022, with AI emerging as a major force behind increases since then.

In the United States alone, data centers are projected to use as much as 536 TWh in 2025, potentially doubling by 2030 as AI grows further. These numbers indicate that data centers, propelled by AI demand, could represent 4–6% of total U.S. electricity consumption within a few years, which creates new pressure on the electric grid and underscores the importance of energy-efficient innovations (To power AI, data centers need more and more energy).

The challenge is amplified because AI workloads not only require intense bursts of power during model training, but also sustain higher usage during everyday inference.

While efficiency has improved - hyperscale data centers now operate with much lower power usage effectiveness (PUE) than a decade ago - gains are being offset by the sheer increase in server numbers and computing requirements.

Some solutions include:

• Relocating data centers to areas with abundant renewable energy: William Wilson highlights that placing facilities where green power is plentiful can reduce carbon footprints and maximize sustainability efforts.
• Shifting AI workloads to match renewable energy supply: Barbara Jackson notes that timing computing tasks to align with periods of surplus renewable generation helps optimize environmental benefits.
• Streamlining algorithms for greater efficiency: Matthew Martinez stresses that refining AI models and code directly improves performance while cutting down on wasted electricity.

Even so, renewable energy deployment may not scale fast enough to keep up with growth, and fossil fuels are still relied upon when clean energy can't fill the gap.

Analysts estimate that if current trends continue, global data center energy usage could increase by 50% by 2027, putting more pressure on infrastructure and sustainability efforts (Data center energy and AI in 2025; Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers Predicted to Drive Record High Energy Demand).

Santa Barbara’s tech community is actively working on greener solutions, but balancing AI performance with sustainability remains an ongoing issue.

As more workloads move to the cloud and AI continues to scale, the region’s innovators face the urgent challenge of aligning rapid computational growth with responsible environmental practices.

The outlook for Gen Z tech careers in Santa Barbara - and across the country - remains challenging in 2025 as artificial intelligence and automation continue to reshape entry-level opportunities and on-the-job learning.

While U.S. tech job postings have dropped sharply, with entry-level roles particularly impacted, a deeper issue is emerging beyond the numbers. As highlighted by UCSB researcher Thomas Martinez, automation isn’t just eliminating repetitive, lower-skilled tasks; it’s disrupting the traditional way novices learn from experts, leaving many new grads on the sidelines instead of gaining hands-on experience.

Martinez’s research found that the close master-novice relationships that once built career skills - like assisting directly in technical problem-solving or collaborating on real-world projects - are fading as intelligent machines handle much of that work.

Automation is not just changing what work gets done, but how people learn to do it - and that shift may have a lasting impact on the next generation of tech talent.

This trend mirrors national surveys showing over 60% of college seniors have growing concerns about AI’s impact on their job prospects, with almost half of young people now questioning whether higher education is a good investment.

As AI has rapidly matured, it’s not just manual or routine roles at risk - highly skilled positions including software programming and analysis are also seeing significant declines, with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a 27.5% drop in programming jobs over two years.

Generative AI tools are now able to perform many programming and testing tasks that once defined entry-level tech jobs, meaning new grads not only face fewer openings, but also miss key experiential learning that supports career growth.

At the same time, automation is changing the way work is done on teams, requiring employers to rethink how mentorship, training, and skill-building happen in the workplace.

For those entering tech today, focusing on companies that offer robust hands-on training and being proactive about learning new tools are strategies experts recommend for navigating this evolving job market.

• Mentorship disruption: The traditional mentor-apprentice relationships that built core skills are being upended by automation, making it harder for new grads to gain real-world experience.
• AI’s reach: Both routine and highly-skilled jobs in tech, like programming, are declining due to the rapid advancement of AI tools.
• Workplace evolution: Companies must now rethink training and ongoing education to keep entry-level talent engaged and growing.
• Learning strategies: Aspiring tech workers should seek employers with hands-on training and continuously pursue new skills to stay competitive.

Key Challenge	Impact on Gen Z	Suggested Strategy
Automation replacing novice tasks	Loss of hands-on learning opportunities	Find companies with strong mentorship programs
Decline in entry-level job postings	Fewer openings, more competition	Regularly upskill with modern AI tools
Questioning value of higher education	Uncertainty about career ROI	Balance formal education with internships/trainings

To learn more about researcher Thomas Martinez’s findings on skill development in the age of intelligent machines, see this overview from UC Santa Barbara.

For a nationwide perspective on declining entry-level tech roles and Gen Z’s career anxiety, browse Business Insider’s deep dive into AI’s disruption of the job market.

For insight on the real impact of job losses in programming and the changing role of AI in tech, see the Washington Post’s recent reporting.

The Firefly Alpha mission with Lockheed Martin, which many in Santa Barbara and the broader space community had been looking forward to, faced a postponement in late April 2025 due to range constraints and weather considerations at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Originally, the launch window was set to open at 6:37 AM on April 27, but close monitoring of local conditions and overlapping National Reconnaissance Office activities required adjustment to the schedule.

The mission, titled “Message In A Booster,” is part of a substantial, multi-launch agreement between Firefly and Lockheed Martin, encompassing up to 25 Alpha rocket launches aimed at supporting rapid, resilient small satellite deployment for commercial, civil, and military use.

Lockheed Martin’s LM400 satellite bus, which is being demonstrated in this mission, is designed for versatility, supporting payloads up to 1,100 kg and compatible with several orbital ranges.

The mission will even serve as a full life cycle test, including autonomous initialization, on-orbit maneuvers, and a controlled de-orbit at the end of its expected 30-day demonstration period.

For those interested in following along, a live webcast of the launch was announced, allowing residents and enthusiasts to view the event online and, depending on the weather, possibly in person across Santa Barbara County and wider California through resources such as mission details and webcast, partnership and LM400 details, and local launch updates.

Vandenberg’s momentum as a launch hub continues, with recent years seeing increasing launch frequency despite operational pauses for safety and coordination.

This ongoing activity, highlighted by partnerships like the one between Firefly and Lockheed Martin, contributes directly to the local economy through job growth and technical training opportunities.

Multi-launch agreements help reduce costs and accelerate deployment, building real-world workforce skills right in the region. The base’s growth means more launches, more on-site innovation, and more collaborative investments, establishing Vandenberg not just as a launch pad, but as a keystone of California’s expanding space sector.

Santa Barbara’s biotech sector marked a noteworthy development in April 2025 when OmniAb, Inc. appointed UCSB graduate Jessica Thompson to its Board of Directors.

Thompson, who holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and an M.S. in Biochemistry from Georgetown University, brings over 20 years of experience in life sciences, including leadership roles at Bio-Techne, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and start-ups like Vortex Biosciences.

Her appointment expands OmniAb’s board to seven members, following the departure of Patricia Anderson, and places her on both the Audit Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.

According to OmniAb, Thompson’s expertise in product development, business management, and technology commercialization is expected to help guide the company’s growth and support its more than 91 active partnerships in antibody technology innovation.

OmniAb’s proprietary platforms - such as OmniRat® and OmniChicken® - continue to be core to its R&D and licensing model, having enabled collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies and a steady increase to its pipeline of antibody candidates (read more about the board's composition).

"Collaboration within Santa Barbara’s tech community continues to support advances with industry-wide impact."

While detailed financials for 2025 show continued challenges, including revenue headwinds, the addition of Thompson signals a focus on strengthening operational and scientific oversight (see Board changes highlights).

• Board Expansion: OmniAb’s board now has seven members, showing a commitment to diverse leadership.
• Strategic Appointments: New appointments like Jessica Thompson bring decades of experience to guide company strategy.
• Cross-Industry Collaboration: UCSB alumni are playing increasingly important roles in the region's biotech firms.
• Partnership Growth: OmniAb boasts over 91 partnerships driving antibody technology.

Main Focus	Immediate Impact	Broader Value
New Board Member	Strengthens oversight	Enhances long-term growth
Technology Platforms	Pipeline expansion	Bolsters R&D innovation
Santa Barbara Workforce	Leadership roles increase	Talent drives industry advances

Learn more about these leadership changes and what they mean for OmniAb’s direction at StreetInsider’s coverage of the appointments.

Santa Barbara’s reputation as a technology hub is strongly tied to UC Santa Barbara’s ongoing research and entrepreneurial output, with faculty and alumni driving advances in sectors like biotech, clean energy, and AI. In 2025, UCSB stands out for fostering over 200 startups, with alumni-founded ventures making significant contributions both regionally and globally.

Companies like Milo Sensors, launched out of UCSB’s California NanoSystems Institute by Nancy Jones, have gained recognition for innovations such as wearable biosensors to monitor alcohol consumption, backed by multi-million dollar NIH grants and shipped to researchers worldwide - directly addressing public health challenges and providing new tools for alcohol use disorder intervention (learn more about Milo Sensors).

Similarly, William Martinez and other UCSB materials alums have launched clean energy firms like SixPoint Materials and Freedom Photonics, each recently awarded $1 million Department of Energy grants to accelerate breakthroughs in scalable photonic and energy technologies (read about SixPoint Materials and Freedom Photonics).

The local tech ecosystem also benefits from UCSB’s strong workforce pipeline: the university’s STEM programs and industry partnerships have helped produce an average tech salary of $151,861 in Santa Barbara, with a projected 1,300+ new tech jobs and $3 billion in economic impact by 2027 (see Santa Barbara's tech scene highlights).

Notable alumni achievements include major roles in global companies, acclaimed research (including Nobel laureates), and startups that bridge campus innovation with community economic growth.

• Startup growth: UCSB has fostered over 200 startups, creating a dynamic and entrepreneurial technology environment.
• Clean energy innovation: Grants award clean energy firms like SixPoint Materials, advancing scalable photonic and sustainable technologies.
• Workforce impact: The region boasts strong tech salaries with expectations of 1,300+ new jobs and billions in economic impact by 2027.
• Alumni success: UCSB alumni play major roles in global companies and launch startups that connect campus research with the local economy.

Company/Initiative	Sector	Key Achievement
Milo Sensors	Biotech / Wearables	Wearable biosensor devices for alcohol monitoring
SixPoint Materials / Freedom Photonics	Clean Energy / Photonics	Received $1M DOE grants for scalable technology
UCSB STEM Programs	Education / Workforce	Producing highly skilled tech professionals

"UCSB's commitment to innovation not only advances technology, but also delivers tangible economic and societal benefits to Santa Barbara and beyond." – Richard Wilson

Santa Barbara’s push for clean mobility in 2025 draws on sustained partnerships between local nonprofits, businesses, and public agencies, creating wider access to climate-friendly transportation across the region.

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Santa Barbara Clean Energy have rolled out programs making electric vehicle (EV) ownership more accessible - residents can apply for federal tax credits up to $7,500 on new or used EV purchases, as well as local rebates from $1,000 to $4,000 for both vehicles and home charger installations.

This support is especially impactful for income-qualified residents, who may be eligible for additional rebates through initiatives like the California Driving Clean Assistance Program, which launched on the Central Coast in January 2025 and can provide up to $12,000 for low-income applicants to buy or lease an EV, stacking with other incentives for even greater savings (California Driving Clean Assistance Program).

On the business side, tech companies are making commitments to electrify their fleets, reinforcing momentum reflected in city planning efforts and events.

The Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival’s annual Green Car Show lets residents test drive new EV models and speak directly with local ambassadors who’ve transitioned to clean vehicles.

Attendees also receive up-to-date information about rebates and tax credits at the event, which serves as a public platform for clean mobility education (Green Car Show at SB Earth Day).

• EV incentives substantially lower costs, with up to $7,500 federal and $4,000 local rebates making clean vehicles more accessible.
• Income-qualified programs ensure residents in need receive greater support, sometimes covering most of their EV purchase cost.
• Community resources like events and educational tools help simplify adopting clean transportation for all locals.

Program	Benefit	Contact Person
Federal EV Tax Credit	Up to $7,500 for new/used EVs	Christopher Lee
Local Rebates	$1,000–$4,000 for vehicles and chargers	Linda Taylor
California Driving Clean Assistance	Up to $12,000 for qualifying residents	Matthew Hernandez

These combined efforts - spanning public outreach, hands-on events, and targeted financial support - are scaling up local EV adoption and helping Santa Barbara lead on climate-friendly transportation.

To learn more or apply for incentives, local residents can reference city resources on electrification (Electrify Your Ride resources), ensuring inclusive mobility benefits for the broader community.

Santa Barbara’s position as a leader at the crossroads of clean tech, AI, and data infrastructure is only becoming more evident in 2025. This week’s advances in electrification - like the rollout of battery-electric buses and electric farm equipment - reflect a broader regional commitment to reducing emissions and pushing toward California’s zero-emission transit goals.

The city’s technology ecosystem extends far beyond mobility, with more than 200 startups, an average tech salary of $151,861, and over 1,300 new tech jobs projected by 2027, showing the economic impact and workforce depth in sectors like AI, cloud computing, and clean energy (Santa Barbara’s tech job growth).

• Clean tech initiatives: The expansion of battery-electric buses and farm equipment exemplifies local dedication to emission reduction.
• Startup ecosystem: Santa Barbara boasts 200+ startups and a thriving tech community with impressive average salaries.
• Workforce growth: Over 1,300 new tech jobs are projected by 2027, reflecting tremendous sector momentum.

UCSB remains at the heart of this growth: alongside its status as a top-10 global research institution, it hosts forums such as the AI Spring Symposium at UCSB to foster community discussion around ethical, practical, and educational applications of artificial intelligence, open to all with interests in emerging technologies.

UCSB’s leadership in both academic research and community engagement provides a launchpad for Santa Barbara’s role in shaping technology’s future. – Joseph Martin

Yet, as AI workloads fuel huge demand for specialized computing power, the region faces the shared challenge of energy-intensive data centers - AI servers can use 10 times more power than standard ones, straining local grids and emphasizing the need for innovation in clean power and infrastructure (energy use for AI data centers).

Challenge	Impact	Potential Solution
Data Center Power Demand	Strained local energy grids	Innovate in clean energy infrastructure
Specialized AI Servers	10x power usage increase	Develop energy-efficient architectures

• Energy strain: AI servers create considerable stress on regional power infrastructure, urging new tech solutions.
• Academic-industry synergy: Partnerships, such as those at UCSB, remain central in promoting workforce transformation and clean energy innovation.

In summary, Santa Barbara demonstrates how a blend of education, research, and entrepreneurship enables a region not just to keep pace, but to set a benchmark for balancing high-tech growth with a community’s broader environmental and societal goals.