3D ENTREPRENEURS CLUB LAUNCH & FUNDRAISER EVENT

Sunday, January 25, 2026 • 2:00–4:00 p.m. Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)

3DE CLUB ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ITS GROUNDBREAKING ED-TECH PLATFORM ENABLING SCHOOLS TO BECOME INNOVATION HUBS!

Following successful pilot programs in both private and public schools in 2025—including Imagination Lab in Palo Alto and Pacific Elementary School in Davenport—3DE Club is preparing to launch its online after-school hybrid entrepreneurship clubs across ten Santa Cruz County and Monterey Bay schools in 2026.

The official launch event will be held at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) on Jan 25th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is a unique opportunity for educators, businesses, and government agencies to come together and lay the foundation for the next generation to innovate, thrive, and lead in an AI-driven world.

Breaking News!

Fireside Chat with JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation

JoeBen Bevirt, founder of Joby Aviation will join a Fireside Chat moderated by Doug Erickson.

Learn about JoeBen’s entrepreneurial journey that started in youth as he customized mountain bikes, to Joby Aviation, the leader in advance aviation.

Youth in the 3DE Club will have a chance to ask JoeBen questions to light their own entrepreneurial journeys.

In addition, Tanner Rowland, Congressional Aide to the U.S. House of Representatives, will be attending the event on behalf of Congressman Panetta.

Event tickets begin at $150, with every ticket directly sponsoring one student from a low-income family.
Free livestream available for anyone unable to attend in person.

EVENT AGENDA

2:00 PM – GUEST NETWORKING
Connect with Santa Cruz’s leading innovators, entrepreneurs, and community champions, including Hillary Bryant, Ed Colligan, Bob Langesth, and others.

2:15 PM – FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JOEBEN
JoeBen Bevirt, founder of Joby Aviation, will participate in a fireside chat moderated by Doug Erickson, Executive Director of Santa Cruz Works.

2:30 PM – ENTREPRENEURS PANEL DISCUSSION
Gain insights from leading entrepreneurs and educators on how to prepare our youth to thrive in an AI-driven future.

Panelists include Sol Lipman, CEO of DRIVR; Amelia Eichel, CEO of Wonderfil; and Jason Borgen, CTO of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE).

3:00 PM – 3DE CLUB KIDS SHOWCASE
Watch four young innovators (ages 8–12) showcase their 3D-printed product creations in a mini Shark Tank–style pitch event.

3:30 PM – SPEECHES & RIBBON CUTTING
Hear different perspectives on the 3DE program from Joe Madden (CEO, Futir), Eric Gross (Head, Pacific Elementary School), Doug Erickson (Executive Director, Santa Cruz Works), and Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley.

Then join us as Mayor Keeley celebrates the digital ribbon-cutting to officially launch the 3DE Club platform—and help us raise scholarships for kids from low-income families!

EVENT DATE

SUNDAY, JAN 25th (2pm-4pm)

LOCATION: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

See Location in Google Maps

Event tickets begin at $150, with every ticket directly sponsoring one student from a low-income family.
Free livestream will be available for anyone unable to attend in person.

$900,000 SCHOLARSHIP GOAL FOR 2026

Help Us Empower 1,000 Underserved Kids Across 10 Local Schools!

Your ticket will help to provide a 3DE Club program scholarship for a child from a low-income family.
Corporate sponsors and philanthropists donating $90K or more will get name recognition on our school hubs.

For sponsorship options visit: 3de.club/sponsors

ABOUT 3DE ENTREPRENEURS (3DE) CLUB

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators and Changemakers

In today’s rapidly changing, tech-driven world, students need more than academics—they need an entrepreneurial mindset and future-ready skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability to thrive in the AI Era.

3D Entrepreneurs (3DE) Club is a nonprofit on a bold mission to make entrepreneurship education accessible to all students through a gamified ed-tech platform and hybrid learning model in schools and youth centers.

The 3DE Club is an online after-school program that empowers Gen Alpha kids (8–12) to create and sell their own products—a modern twist on the lemonade stand - that builds business and financial literacy from an early age.

Join us in shaping the next generation of innovators and changemakers who will drive positive economic and social impact in their communities and beyond!

For more details and other *sponsorship opportunities**, visit:* 3de.club/sponsors

To become a community partner and support our cause: https://3de.club/partners

“This initiative offers an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy—by empowering young people to become builders, creators, and entrepreneurs who drive inclusive economic prosperity in our community,” - Doug Erickson, Executive Director, Santa Cruz Works.

"The project has the potential to prepare kids for an emergent future that is categorically different from what their parents and teachers know" - Eric Gross, Superintendent, Pacific Elementary School.

"We definitely need more entrepreneurs with the core skills outlined by 3DE" - Ed Colligan, Former CEO, Palm Inc.

For more information, email: [email protected]

3de club COMMUNITY PARTNERS

To join the 3DE Club partner program visit: 3de.club/partners

Event tickets begin at $150, with every ticket directly sponsoring one student from a low-income family.
Free livestream available for anyone unable to attend in person.