SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2024) – LA Tech Week kicked off today, Monday, October 14, 2024, in the heart of Silicon Beach with the Santa Monica Innovation Hub Technology Street Fair. The event closed down a stretch of Ocean Avenue between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard, along with a portion of Palisades Park, to create space for startup showcases, live tech activations, and opportunities to network with some of LA’s top investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Hosted by StartupStarter and partially sponsored by the city of Santa Monica, the street fair featured local tech innovations from the city's Information Services, Police, and Fire departments. Free tickets were provided to local student groups, and several school robotics programs participated in the event.
“Santa Monica continues to be a growing hub for innovation, technology, and startups,” said Santa Monica Economic Development Manager Jennifer Taylor. “Our tech community thrives thanks to city support, including strategic investments in CityNet dark fiber and community broadband infrastructure. Companies know this is where their employees want to live, work, and play.”
Beyond the business and networking opportunities, attendees enjoyed VR/AR activations, a co-working lounge, a sound stage, food trucks, live music, and a beer garden. The LA Tech Week Passport, provided by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, offered special discounts at local bars, restaurants, and shops throughout downtown.
The Santa Monica Innovation Hub Technology Street Fair was one of over 1,000 events hosted during LA Tech Week, presented by venture capital firm a16z, which recently opened a new headquarters in downtown Santa Monica.
Santa Monica, often referred to as “Silicon Beach,” has been a center for innovation for more than 30 years. The technology and creative sectors account for 34% of the city’s total employment, with over 29,000 people working in these industries and an annual payroll of $6.3 billion. Notable companies such as Activision, Hulu, Snap Inc., and Lionsgate Entertainment have made Santa Monica their home.
The Innovation Hub Street Fair ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, with street closures in effect until late this evening. For more information on LA Tech Week, visit tech-week.com.
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