UC Santa Barbara has long been a hub of innovation and discovery. Every year, multiple startups form using UCSB technology, and companies are founded by UCSB alumni and faculty. Many of these startups maintain a footprint in Santa Barbara, bringing jobs and talent to the region. The Startup Database is designed to facilitate the discovery of new ventures emanating from the UCSB startup ecosystem. This tool allows university collaborators and potential investors to explore startups by sorting categories including industry, founding year, and company status. The goal of the database is to support TIA’s mission of creating productive and mutually beneficial relationships between UCSB and industry collaborators.
Take an in-depth look at featured UCSB startups on the Success Stories page including stories about Active Life Scientific, creator of a bone health assessment tool; LungLife AI, developer of a novel liquid biopsy platform; and NEXT Energy, designer of photovoltaic window technology.
Learn more about resources and the history of startups at UCSB on the Startup Support and Startup Resources pages.
Multiple companies utilizing UCSB technology are founded every year. These cutting-edge startups range across industries, demonstrating the creative mindset of the university’s researchers and faculty. Over the past several decades, UCSB startups* have been responsible for creating hundreds of jobs in the Santa Barbara area and beyond.
Company | About | Status | Website | Founding Year | Inventor/ Founder | Industry | Capital Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cadense | Specialty shoe designer and manufacturer. | Active | https://cadense.com/ | 2021 | Tyler Susko & Elliot Hawkes | Healthcare | $1.69M |
Liquideon/Cage Bio/inTumo | Ionic liquid platform as a delivery system. | Active | https://cagebio.com/ | 2015 | Samir Mitragotri | Healthcare | $57.6M |
Cayuga | Faster blood clotting. | Active | https://cayugabiotech.com/ | 2015 | Galen Stucky & Damien Kudela | Healthcare | $1.5M |
Integrated Biosciences | Molecule therapeutic discovery. | Active | https://integratedbiosciences.com/ | 2022 | Max Wilson | Healthcare | $17.2M |
Vector Free | Insect repellent. | Active | https://www.vectorfreeinc.com/ | 2025 | Craig Montell & David Aguila | Healthcare | $0.0M |
Vine Medical | Intubation & endoscopic technology. | Active | https://www.vinemed.com/ | 2021 | Elliot Hawkes & David Haggerty | Healthcare | $3.6M |
Pacific Optica | Optics, photonics & imaging. | Active | https://pacificoptica.com/ | 2025 | Spencer LaVere Smith & Che-Hang Yu | Business Products & Services | - |
SP2 Quantum | Quantum computing. | Active | - | 2024 | Andrea Young | Information Technology | - |
Qudara | Integrated chip-scale technology. | Active | https://www.qudara.com/ | 2025 | John Bowers, Galan Moody & Chen Shang | Information Technology | - |
Nereid Biomaterials | Biodegrable plastics. | Active | https://nereidbio.org/ | 2024 | Alyson Santoro | CleanTech | - |
Transphorm | Semiconductors. | Acquired | https://www.renesas.com/en | 2007 | Umesh Mishra | Information Technology | $177.16M |
Sirigen | Polymeric materials. | Acquired | https://www.bd.com/en-us | 2003 | Janice Hong | Materials & Resources | $17.59M |
Monde Wireless | Wireless communication circuits and devices. | Active | www.mondewireless.com | 2020 | Umesh Mishra | Information Technology | $0.20M |
NEXT Energy | Transparent energy harvesting window technology. | Active | https://www.nextenergytech.com/ | 2010 | Corey Hoven | Energy | $36.76M |
Santa Barbara Nutrients | Compounds to treat kidney and metabolic diseases. | Active | https://santabarbaranutrients.com/ | 2020 | Thomas Weimbs | Healthcare | $1.23M |
Active Life Scientific | Bone health assessment. | Active | https://www.bonescore.com/ | 2010 | Paul Hansma | Healthcare | $8.24M |
Ingantec | MicroLED technology. | Active | https://www.ingantec.com/ | 2022 | Chirag Gupta | Business Products & Services | $2.15M |
Celestial AI | AI computing platform. | Acquired | https://www.marvell.com/ | 2020 | John Bowers | Information Technology | $588.87M |
Acelot | Drug discovery. | Active | https://www.acelot.com/ | 2006 | Ambuj Singh | Healthcare | $24.17M |
C-Zero (Graphitic Energy) | Natural gas decarbonizing. | Active | www.graphitic.com | 2020 | Eric McFarland | Energy | $65.57M |
ViQi | Image analysis software. | Active | www.viqiai.com | 2025 | Christian Lang | Information Technology | $1.5M |
AppScale | Hybrid cloud software platform. | Active | www.appscale.com | 2012 | Chandra Krintz | Information Technology | $2.9M |
CytomX Therapeutics | Oncology-focused biopharmaceuticals. | Active | www.cytomx.com | 2008 | Patrick Daugherty | Healthcare | $422.0M |
Xiretsa | Biotechnology for developing new antimicrobial agents. | Active | www.xiretsapharm.com | 2019 | Guillermo Bazan | Healthcare | $0.27M |
Mentium Technologies | High-efficiency AI chips. | Active | www.mentium.tech | 2016 | Dmitri Strukov | Information Technology | $1.05M |
Convoy Therapeutics | Peptide skin-penetration platform. | Acquired | https://ctxtechnology.com/ | 2011 | Samir Mitragotri | Consumer Products & Services | $7.0M |
Groundswell Technologies | Geospatial software tools that automate data collection. | Active | https://www.groundswelltech.com/ | 2004 | Hugo Loaiciga | Business Products & Services | $3.72M |
LungLife AI | Clinical diagnostic solutions for lung cancer. | Active | https://lunglifeai.com/ | 2008 | Patrick Daugherty | Healthcare | $71.68M |
Serimmune | Immune intelligence platform. | Acquired | https://www.infinitybio.com/ | 2014 | Patrick Daugherty | Healthcare | $34.91M |
iFluidics | Electro-kinetic bioassay platform. | Active | https://www.ifluidics.com/ | 2010 | Emir Yasun | Healthcare | - |
SixPoint Materials | Semiconductor/LED materials. | Active | https://www.spmaterials.com/ssl/ | - | Tadao Hashimoto | Information Technology | - |
Spero Renewables | Natural alternatives to petrochemical products. | Active | https://www.sperorenewables.com/ | 2013 | Mahdi Abu-Omar | Energy | $0.73M |
Lucidean | Optical interconnects for fast data transfer. | Active | https://www.lucidean-inc.com/ | 2022 | Hector Andrade | Information Technology | $0.1M |
Fluency Lighting Technologies | Next-generation, energy-efficient light sources. | Inactive | - | 2014 | Kristin Denault | Energy | - |
ShadowMaps | Cloud-based enterprise software. | Acquired | https://www.uber.com/ | 2014 | Upamanyu Madhow | Information Technology | - |
ACatechol | Biological-protein-based adhesives and biomimetic surface technology. | Active | https://www.acatechol.com/ | 2016 | Kollbe Ahn | Materials & Resources | $0.67M |
Alveo Technologies | Diagnostics technology. | Active | https://www.alveotechnologies.com/ | 2014 | - | Healthcare | $83.61M |
Macro Biologics | Prevention and treatment of life-threatening infections. | Active | https://www.macrobiologics.com/ | 2010 | - | Healthcare | $25.24M |
Diopter Corp. | Contact lenses that deliver drugs to treat ocular diseases. | - | - | - | - | Healthcare | - |
Dragonfly Technologies | Cyber security. | Acquired | https://www.dragonflytechnologies.com/ | 2005 | - | Consumer Products & Services | - |
Eccrine Systems | Electronic patch to measure electrolytes and stress levels. | Inactive | - | 2013 | - | Healthcare | $21.33M |
Eucalyptus | Cloud computing. | Acquired | https://www.hp.com/us-en/home.html | - | - | Business Products & Services | - |
InfoCoding Labs | Wireless headphone technology. | Active | http://www.infocodinglabs.com/ | - | Tejaswi Nanjundaswamy | Consumer Products & Services | - |
Lastline | Enterprise security platform. | Acquired | https://www.vmware.com/ | 2011 | Christopher Kruegel | Business Products & Services | $55.37M |
Regenerative Patch Technologies | Regenerative products for retinal diseases. | Active | https://regenerativepatch.com/ | 2010 | Dennis Clegg | Healthcare | $12.37M |
Soraa | Lighting technologies. | Acquired | https://www.ecosenselighting.com/products/soraa/ | 2008 | James Speck | Consumer Products & Services | $51.69M |
Spectradyne | Nanoparticle analyzer. | Active | http://www.nanoparticleanalyzer.com/ | 2013 | Jean-Luc Fraikin | Healthcare | $0.82M |
Aptitude Medical Systems | Molecular recognition technology. | Active | https://www.aptitudemedical.com/ | 2011 | Scott Ferguson | Healthcare | $0.18M |
Aurrion | Silicon photonic integrated circuits. | Acquired | https://www.hpe.com/us/en/home.html | 2008 | - | Information Technology | - |
Elastec | Oil spill cleanup and surface water pollution. | Active | https://www.elastec.com/ | 1990 | Viktoria Broje | Business Products & Services | - |
Reaction35 | Chemical waste management. | Active | https://www.reaction35.com/ | 1999 | - | Business Products & Services | $1.3M |
Wavestream | Solid-state power amplifiers. | Acquired | https://www.gilat.com/ | 2001 | Robert York | Information Technology | - |
DataUnite | Designed to accelerate the market of medical products. | Active | https://dataunite.co/ | 2024 | Trinabh Gupta | Healthcare | - |
TiMEMS | Two-phase cooling devices. | Inactive | - | - | Payam Bozorgi | Information Technology | - |
Aerius Photonics | Thermal imaging infrared cameras. | Acquired | https://www.flir.com/home/ | 2004 | Jonathan Geske | Information Technology | - |
Cue Health | Health technology. | Inactive | - | 2010 | - | Healthcare | - |
Diagnostic Biochips | Neural sensors. | Active | https://diagnosticbiochips.com/ | 2012 | - | Healthcare | $1.24M |
Ecorithm | Energy-efficiency software. | Acquired | https://www.pametan.ai/ | 2009 | Stephanie Marasciullo | Information Technology | $17.13M |
SBA Materials | Functional porous organic and inorganic hybrid materials. | Inactive | - | 2001 | Hash Pakbaz | Materials & Resources | - |
Clearista | Skin care products | Active | https://clearista.com/ | 2010 | - | Consumer Products & Services | - |
WorldViz | Virtual reality labs. | Active | https://www.worldviz.com/ | 2002 | Matthias Pusch | Information Technology | $7.88M |
Innobright | Denoising software. | Inactive | - | 2014 | - | Information Technology | - |
Destination 2D | Chip design and nanotechnology equipment. | Active | https://destination2d.com/ | 2021 | Kaustav Banerjee | Information Technology | - |
Entrega | Hydrogel technology. | Inactive | - | 2010 | Samir Mitragotri | Healthcare | - |
Konarka Technologies | Photovoltaic materials. | Inactive | - | 2001 | Alan Heeger | Energy | - |
Agility Communications | Laser solutions for the metro, switching, and long-haul markets. | Acquired | - | 1998 | Greg Fish | Information Technology | - |
Remedyne | Biotechnology. | Inactive | - | 2001 | Michael Mahan | Healthcare | - |
Agile Materials | Variable integrated passive products. | Inactive | - | 1999 | Robert York | Information Technology | - |
Uniax | Polymer products. | Acquired | - | - | - | Materials & Resources | - |
CBrite | Diode switches. | Inactive | - | 2002 | Alan Heeger | Information Technology | - |
SiNoptiq | Quantum technology components. | Acquired | https://infleqtion.com/ | 2022 | Dan Blumenthal | Information Technology | - |
UCSB alumni, faculty, and friends have been founding ground-breaking companies for decades. The technology developed by affiliated startups benefits society, rewards faculty and student entrepreneurs, and provides resources to enable further teaching and research. These inventive companies are tackling problems from reducing food waste to creating next generation materials to formulating recyclable plastics. No matter the industry, all UCSB affiliated startups** are grounded in the university’s mission to stimulate independent thought, critical reasoning, and creativity.
Company | About | Status | Website
| Founding Year | Inventor/ Founder | Industry | Capital Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apeel Sciences | Plant-based fruit coating material. | Active | https://www.apeel.com/ | 2012 | James Rogers & Louis Perez | Business Products & Services | $809.60M
|
Quintessent
| Optical connectivity technology. | Active | www.quintessent.com | 2019 | John Bowers | Information Technology | $18.26M |
Leeta Materials | Chemical raw materials. | Active | https://www.leeta.co/ | 2023 | Kira Wyckoff & Linus Kautzsch | Materials & Resources | $6.6M |
BioZen Batteries | Redox-active electrolytes.
| Active | https://www.biozenbatteries.com/
| 2019 | Nate Kirchhofer | Materials & Resources | - |
Capella | Private equity firm. | Active | https://www.capella.vc/ | 2016
| Jonathan Lang | Financial Services | -
|
Delos Data | IT consulting firm. | Active | https://delosdata.com/ | - | - | Business Products & Services | - |
EyeClimate | AI and data analysis to fight climate change. | Active | https://eyeclimate.com/ | - | Satish Kumar | Information Technology | - |
FLO Materials | Recyclable plastics. | Active | https://www.flomaterials.co/ | 2020 | - | Materials & Resources | $0.1M |
GaNify | Semiconductors for transformative solutions in power electronics. | Active | https://www.linkedin.com/company/ganifyllc/ | 2022 | - | Information Technology | - |
Hikari Medical Technologies | Drug delivery. | Active | https://www.hikarimedical.com/ | 2023 | Aria Ghasemizadeh & Willus Fisher | Healthcare | - |
Light Integration Technologies | Integrated photonic platforms. | Active | https://l-i-t.co/ | 2024 | Victoria Rosborough | Information Technology | - |
Phaeno | Biomedical research. | Active | https://phaenobiotech.com/ | 2018 | - | Healthcare | $0.6M |
Senseory | Custom-scented biotech houseplants. | Active | - | 2023 | Gigi Minsky | Consumer Products & Services | - |
Starbot Inc. | AI-powered service robots. | Active | https://starbotusa.com/ | 2025 | Yong Wang | Business Products & Services | - |
AviAI | Airline baggage prediction. | Inactive | - | - | Vivek Adarsh | Information Technology | - |
BioProtonics | MR-based diagnostic platform. | Active | https://www.bioprotonics.com/ | 2014 | Timothy James | Healthcare | $9.72M |
Dragon Q Energy | Battery energy storage. | Active | https://www.dragonqenergy.com/ | 2022 | Quang Bui | Energy | $0.75M |
Fyg Bioscience | DNA nanotechnology. | Inactive | - | - | - | Healthcare | - |
In2Cell | Transfection technology for CRISPR/Cas 9 immunotherapy. | Active | https://in2cell.com/ | - | - | Healthcare | - |
Laxmi Therapeutic Devices | Diabetes treatment. | Active | https://www.laxmitherapeuticdevices.com/ | 2016 | - | Healthcare | $58.2M |
Luxe Scientific | Refillable makeup samples. | Inactive | www.luxescientific.com | - | Victoria Chrwastensen | Consumer Products & Services | - |
Milo Sensors | Digital health tech | Inactive | http://www.milosensor.com/ | 2016 | Bob Lansdorp | Healthcare | - |
Mirios | Silicon photonic systems. | Active | https://mirios.net/ | 2018 | Alexander Spott | Information Technology | $0.5M |
PseudolithIC | RF and millimeter-wave chipsets. | Active | https://www.pseudolithic.com/ | 2021 | James Buckwalter | Information Technology | $7.1M |
SciKare | Non-invasive kidney health monitor. | Active | https://scikare.com/ | 2018 | - | Healthcare | - |
Tesserol | Proprietary fuel-cell modules. | Inactive | www.tesserol.com | 2020 | Dallon Penney | Energy | - |
Ultra-Low Loss Technologies | Ultra-low loss photonics | Active | https://www.ultralowlosstechnologies.com/ | 2018 | Jonathan Klamkin | Information Technology | $0.5M |
Wirefall | Software development. | - | - | Unavailable | - | Information Technology | - |
Nectir | Social platform. | Active | https://app.nectir.io/ | 2018 | Kavitta Ghai | Consumer Products & Services | $6.24M |
EVMatch | Connecting electric vehicles to underutilized charging stations. | Active | www.evmatch.com | 2016 | Heather Hochrein | Consumer Products & Services | $0.27M |
Caugnate | Augmented reality tech for remote collaboration. | Acquired | https://www.ptc.com/en | 2014 | Steffen Gauglitz | Information Technology | - |
BioIQ | Health platform. | Acquired | https://www.letsgetchecked.com/ | 2005 | Justin Bellante | Healthcare | - |
Inogen | Portable oxygen concentrators. | Active | https://www.inogen.com/ | 2001 | Ali Bauerlein | Healthcare | $196.12M |
Allthenticate | Passwordless authentication. | Active | https://www.allthenticate.com/ | 2019 | Chad Spensky | Information Technology | $8.4M |
Asylum Research | Atomic force microscopes. | Acquired | https://www.oxinst.com/ | 1999 | - | Business Products & Services | - |
Digital Instruments | Atomic force microscopes. | Acquired | https://www.veeco.com/ | - | - | Business Products & Services | - |
Sebacia | Acne treatment | Inactive | - | 2010 | - | Consumer Products & Services | $97.09M |
Velvet Therapeutics | Gene therapies for rare cancers and autoimmune diseases. | Active | https://www.velvettherapeutics.com/ | 2013 | - | Healthcare | $1.62M |
PayJunction | Simplify the process of making payments. | Active | https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ | 2000 | Randy Modos | Financial Services | - |
RazeMath | Tailored tutoring experiences using cutting-edge AI technology. | Active | https://razemath.com/ | - | Evan McCall | Consumer Products & Services | - |
Nexus Photonics | Integrated photonics. | Inactive | https://www.nexusphotonics.com/ | 2018 | Tin Komljenovic & John Bowers | Information Technology | $5M |
Akoustis Technologies | RF filter solutions for the wireless industry. | Acquired | https://www.spacex.com/ | 2013 | Jeff Shealy | Information Technology | $80.72M |
Alvesta | Telecommunications. | Inactive | - | - | Al Yuen | Business Products & Services | - |
Expertcity | Screen-sharing technology. | Acquired | https://www.citrix.com/ | 1997 | Klaus Schauser | Business Products & Services | $225.00M |
Nitres | Radiofrequency GaN transistors. | Acquired | https://www.wolfspeed.com/ | 1996 | Umesh Mishra & Steve DenBaars | Information Technology | $233.00M |
CALIENT | Optical switching. | Acquired | https://www.chunxing-group.com/en/ | 1999 | John Bowers & Daniel Blumenthal | Information Technology | $53.96M |
InTouch Health | Virtual care platform. | Acquired | https://www.teladochealth.com/ | 2002 | Yulan Wang | Healthcare | $114.64M |
Watermelon Apparel | Clothing brand. | Active | https://www.watermelonapparel.com/ | 2021 | Athena Wang | Consumer Products & Services | - |
QAD | Flexible, cloud-based and on-premise enterprise software. | Active | https://www.qad.com/ | 1979 | Pamela Lopker | Business Products & Services | - |
CJ | Online affiliate advertising. | Active | https://www.cj.com/ | 1998 | Per Pettersen | Business Products & Services | - |
Sonos | Home sound systems. | Active | https://www.sonos.com/en-us/home | 2002 | John MacFarlane | Consumer Products & Services | $421.85M |
RightScale | Enterprise cloud management platform. | Active | https://www.flexera.com/products/snow-commander | 2006 | Thorsten von Eicken | Business Products & Services | |
AppFolio | Cloud-based property and practice management software. | Active | https://www.appfolio.com/ | 2006 | Klaus Schauser | Business Products & Services | $136.22M |
Invoca | Revenue execution platform. | Active | https://www.invoca.com/?rr=1 | 2008 | Jason Spievak | Business Products & Services | $200.87M. |
Impact | Partnership management platform. | Active | https://impact.com/ | 2008 | Per Pettersen | Business Products & Services | $373.76M |
Phone Halo | Senses the distance between your cell phone, and another object. | Inactive | - | 2008 | Chris Herbert & Christian Smith | Consumer Products & Services | - |
ProductPlan | Cloud-based product management platform. | Active | https://www.productplan.com/ | 2013 | Greg Goodman | Business Products & Services | - |
Cogi | Transcribes audio to text. | Inactive | https://gistify.ai/ | 2007 | Bob Dolan | Consumer Products & Services | - |
The Hurd Co. | Engineered man-made cellulosic fiber pulp from agricultural waste. | Active | https://www.thehurdco.com/ | 2019 | Taylor Heisley-Cook & David Mun | Materials & Resources | $0.9M |
Nutromics | Blood analysis. | Active | https://www.nutromics.com/our-story | 2017 | Kevin Plaxco | Healthcare | $7.4M |
ChipAgents | Artificial intelligence-driven tools for semiconductor design. | Active | https://chipagents.ai/ | 2024 | William Wang | Information Technology | $24.09M |
Olaplex | Beauty company specializing in hair care products. | Acquired | https://olaplex.com/ | 2014 | Craig Hawker | Consumer Products & Services | - |
Blue Laser Fusion | Energy management company. | Active | https://bluelaserfusion.com/ | 2022 | Shuji Nakamura | Information Technology | $62.80M |
UltraBright Photonics | - | - | - | - | Galan Moody | Information Technology | - |
ProFoldBio | Bringing precision therapies to patients faster. | Active | https://www.profoldbio.com/ | 2025 | Erica Keane Rivera & Samuel Lobo | Information Technology | - |
*UCSB Startup: 1) a legally organized/incorporated company that acquired rights to a UCSB technology under a license, option, or letter of intent and that this agreement was essential to the startup’s formation or 2) a legally organized/incorporated company that was founded to develop products and services based on a licensed UCSB technology.
**UCSB Affiliated Startup: a legally organized/incorporated company that was founded by UCSB faculty (current or former) or a student(s) (current or former) but that has not acquired any licensing rights to a UCSB technology.
Note: The startup must operate independently of any pre-existing company when it is formed. A subsidiary or spinoff does not count as a startup if its operations are integrated into the operations of a pre-existing company. This UCSB Startup Database is a subjective metric as it pertains to general technology licensing activity and the activities of current or former UCSB faculty and/or students. There are many nuances involved in evaluating a startup for inclusion in the dashboard as well as any given UCSB annual report count.