HOT TOPICS

Scottsdale Based AI Firm Secures $6M in Seed Funding
Dapta, an AI sales agent for small-and-medium sized businesses (SMBs) designed to convert inbound leads faster, announced $6 million in seed investment funding led by Chingona Ventures, with participation from Crew Capital, Broom Ventures, and Cometa VC. Previous pre-seed investors 500 Global and Fen Ventures also participated. Dapta’s AI sales agent, Dapti, … [More]

National Jewelry Retailer Chooses Avondale for U.S. Debut of New Store Concept
Jared Jewelers has opened the first U.S. store featuring its newest retail design concept at Gateway Crossing in Avondale, placing Greater Phoenix at the forefront of the brand’s evolving luxury shopping experience. Located at 9995 W. McDowell Road, the store introduces a more personalized, immersive environment built around curated merchandise presentation, bespoke … [More]

700-Location Burger Chain Continues Arizona Expansion with New West Valley Location
Shake Shack will expand its West Valley presence with a new restaurant at Verrado Marketplace in Buckeye on Tuesday, October 20. Located at 1505 N. Verrado Way, Suite 102, the opening continues the company’s growth in Greater Phoenix, a market it entered a decade ago. Shake Shack opened its first Arizona restaurant at Scottsdale Fashion Square in February 2016, … [More]

Pickleball Chain Files Chapter 11 following Rapid Expansion into Arizona
The Picklr announced it has filed for a court-supervised restructuring under Chapter 11 to strengthen its financial foundation. In an October 10 statement, the indoor pickleball franchisor said its clubs remain open, members continue to play and franchise partners are operating their independently owned clubs as usual. The company has secured a $4.5 million financing … [More]

Arizona Semiconductor Giant Expands Space and Defense Capabilities with Acquisition
Microchip Technology Incorporated, a broadline supplier of semiconductors committed to making innovative design easier through total system solutions, announced that it has acquired VORAGO Technologies, Inc., a privately held provider of radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant microcontrollers and microprocessors, based in Austin, Texas. Terms of the transaction … [More]

National Bank Awards $400K to Expand Arizona Workforce and Career Programs
As access to economic mobility remains essential for a thriving Phoenix, Bank of America is investing in nonprofit leaders and organizations working to create a lasting positive impact in the community. The bank named New Pathways for Youth and Dress for Success Arizona as its 2026 Neighborhood Builders® awardees in Phoenix, recognizing their work to advance economic … [More]
TOP STORIES

Scottsdale Luxury Resort Trades Hands for $372M
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale for $372 million, approximately $1.8 million per room, as the luxury hotel owner advances a broader portfolio restructuring and transition to self-management. The agreement was announced September 29, and Braemar has received a $10 million … [More]

Arizona Defense Giant Continues Contract Run with $6.3B Missile Deal
Raytheon, an RTX business, has secured a five-year contract, with two additional option years, valued up to $6.3 billion for the production and sustainment of Standard Missile-3 Block IB (SM‑3 IB) interceptors. The contract, which is part of the recent landmark agreements between Raytheon and the Department of War, supports urgent replenishment of missile defense … [More]

Defense Electronics Manufacturer Adds 50,000 SF to Phoenix Production Hub
Mercury Systems, Inc., a global leader in aerospace and defense electronics, celebrated the expansion of its Phoenix production facility, adding 50,000-square-feet of manufacturing space that allows the company to increase production capacity and accelerate delivery timelines through vertical integration to support critical U.S. and international defense … [More]

New Taiwan Office in Phoenix Strengthens $21.2B Trade Relationship
Arizona and Taiwan celebrated another significant milestone in their expanding partnership as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office officially opened its new office in Phoenix, Arizona. Governor Katie Hobbs joined leaders including Dr. Chia-Lung Lin, Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs; TECO Phoenix Director General Kevin Chiao; Ingrid Larson, Managing Director, … [More]
FEATURED STORIES

Falling Vacancy Masks Uneven Recovery in Phoenix’s Office Market
Phoenix’s office market is showing signs of improvement, but declining vacancy and renewed job growth are not translating into a uniform recovery. Newer buildings and sought-after locations are gaining ground, while older properties continue to face leasing challenges, according to Marcus & Millichap’s Q4 2026 Phoenix Metro Area Office report. The report points … [More]

The Rise of the Points Millionaire
For years, becoming a "points millionaire" meant spending an extraordinary amount of time on airplanes, cycling through credit cards or mastering the small print of airline loyalty programs. That is changing. Consumers are beginning to realize that one of the biggest financial transactions they will ever make can also be an extraordinary opportunity to earn … [More]

Phoenix Housing Market Hits a September Speed Bump
Greater Phoenix’s single-family housing market held onto year-to-date sales gains through September, but the month brought a sharper slowdown in new contract activity, according to data from Phoenix REALTORS. Closed sales dropped 4.9%, and new listings dropped 3.7% in September this year compared to last year, but pending sales plummeted 40.1%. Year over year, … [More]
LATEST ISSUE

Data Centers in the Desert: W(h)ater You Worried About?
As data center development expands across the Phoenix region, questions about water use have moved quickly from engineering discussions to the center of public conversation. For an industry built on reliability and efficiency, the challenge is clear: How can digital infrastructure scale responsibly in one of the most water-conscious regions in the United States? Few … [More]

Artificial Intelligence Is Powerful – But It Cannot Replace a Lawyer’s Judgment
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the practice of law. From drafting contracts to analyzing discovery, AI tools can complete in minutes what once took hours. For businesses under pressure to move quickly and control costs, the appeal is obvious. But as powerful as these tools are, they cannot replace one essential component of legal representation: … [More]
LIVE AND LEARN

Passport to Latin American Cuisine at The Mission Gilbert
Nestled in Epicenter at Agritopia, Chef Matt Carter’s acclaimed Latin-inspired restaurant transforms the midday meal into an experience rooted in bold flavor, warm hospitality and connection. What many don’t realize is that The Mission’s celebrated dinner energy carries seamlessly into lunch service, where guests can enjoy the restaurant’s signature sophistication … [More]

Heat-Blocking Technology for Arizona Vehicles and Buildings
As Arizona heads into another summer of triple-digit temperatures, protecting vehicles and homes and workplaces from extreme heat has become less about luxury and more about practicality. That’s according to Rogue Films, a Scottsdale-based company specializing in automotive protection and residential and commercial window tinting. Founder Matthew Stecker says many … [More]

2026 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo
The Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo takes the Taycan formula and makes it more usable without stripping out what gives the car its appeal in the first place. It still has the immediate response and planted feel expected from a Porsche product, but the Cross Turismo body changes the assignment. More rear cargo room, added ride height, and standard all-wheel drive make … [More]
PHILANTHROPY

$1.5M Sprouts Partnership Aims to Transform Arizona’s Local Food Economy
Local First Arizona, nonprofit champion of independent businesses and inclusive economic development, announced a three-year, $1.5M partnership with Sprouts Healthy Communities … [More]

$250K Investment Launches Walmart’s Multi-Year Phoenix Workforce Initiative
Walmart announced a multi-year workforce development grant in Phoenix as part of a broader effort to help workers build skills, connect to quality jobs and advance their careers in … [More]

$1M Gift Helps Nearly Double Healthcare Capacity for Valley’s Unhoused
Circle the City has received a transformational $1 million gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to support the completion of its new East Valley Medical Respite Center. … [More]
POSITIONS

Phoenix Children’s Recruits Biopharma Executive to Lead Talent and Workforce Development
Phoenix Children's has appointed Wanda Shoer, MBA, as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, effective Nov. 2. In this role, Shoer will lead the health system's people … [More]

Avondale Rehabilitation Hospital Taps Veteran Healthcare Executive as CEO
Dr. Zaynah Camp-Fry has been named chief executive officer of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Avondale. The 30-bed medical rehabilitation hospital provides specialized … [More]

Scottsdale Resort Taps Luxury and Wellness Hospitality Veteran to Lead Operations
HM Alpha Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Sarah Bohn as general manager of Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas. With a career spanning more than 15 years of … [More]
ACHIEVEMENTS

Civilian Veteran Champion Awards Spotlight Women Driving Veteran Impact
Vanguard Veteran LLC recognizes eleven women as Civilian Veteran Champions for expanding pathways for veterans, transitioning service members, and military families through … [More]
72SOLD Founder Accepts National Appointment
Greg Hague, Phoenix real estate strategist and 72SOLD founder, was recently appointed director of Home Sale Strategy for Compass International Holdings, one of the world’s largest … [More]
Scottsdale Advisor Continues National Streak
Nayan Ranchhod, a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial, has been named to the 2026 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list published by Forbes. The honor recognizes top … [More]


















