Lorena Gonzalez did not set out to become a business owner. She set out to honor her father. For 15 years, Lorena's father cultivated native plants from Nayarit, Mexico, studying them, understanding them, and turning them into hand soaps crafted entirely from what the earth provides. No fragrances. No additives. No shortcuts. Just generations of knowledge pressed into every … [More]
Refer A Friend App Rewards Consumer Referrals
Refer A Friend App makes word-of-mouth referrals — the most powerful form of marketing — simple and scalable for small businesses. Users join for free and build their own personal referral marketplace, inviting trusted professionals they want to recommend. “Those professionals join, accept leads, and users share their curated list with friends, neighbors and colleagues. When … [More]
Bibvy – the Full-Containment Bib
Bibvy’s patent-pending product, Bibvy™, is a children’s bib designed to “make mealtimes, crafts and everyday messes dramatically easier for families,” explains its creator, Danielle Bohannan. “Our signature design is a convertible full-coverage bib that buckles directly to the high-chair arms, creating a secure ‘hammock’ that catches food and spills before they reach the floor. … [More]
New Drone Services Co. Targets Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure
With the global commercial drone market projected to grow from roughly $30 billion in 2024 to more than $54 billion by 2030, Rapid Drone is making its official debut as a specialized aerial intelligence and drone services provider, not a drone manufacturer. Entering the market at a moment of accelerating adoption and rising expectations for safer, smarter field operations, the … [More]
BeeStop Innovates Protection against Home Invasion
When local entrepreneur Mitchell Cooper saw a shocking video of a home invasion, he was inspired to help homeowners feel safe and empowered in their own homes. Cooper, a dentist with an engineering background, began developing his idea for the BeeStop Unit. He then enlisted the help of his sons Shane, a student at Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business studying … [More]
Recording Wins at The Pad Studio
The Pad Studio is a recording and content studio in Mesa offering a creative space to help musicians, photographers, videographers, content creators, editors and producers with their creative projects and brands. Founded by Jason and Jeffrey Linford (aka “the Linford Twins”) The Pad Studio has gone through many iterations over the past 10 years. Most recently — after winning … [More]
Valley Roofing & Repair Building Customer Base through Connection
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 50 million American adults consider themselves to be in recovery from substance use. Despite this astronomical figure, however, those in recovery are often quiet about their journey, especially on the job, for fear it will cloud others’ view of their skill and/or professionalism. “That is … [More]
Tempe Incubator Unveils AI-VR Console to Speed Concept-to-Production Process
Startup Central, an incubator and factory for startups in Tempe, Arizona, announces the launch of the START CONSOLE, a collaborative design platform that merges AI and VR to create the ultimate ideation experience, designed to accelerate the entire journey from idea to creation. "We are all about enabling founders from the very beginning of their creative process," said … [More]
Scottsdale Startup Brings Designer-Curated, Commercial Furniture to Hospitality Operators
Three Valley women with deep roots in the restaurant, design, and branding industries have teamed up to change how hospitality spaces source their furniture. Introducing Social Design Supply Co., a Scottsdale-based e-commerce destination created by hospitality designers for hospitality spaces, offering design-forward, commercial-grade furnishings curated specifically for … [More]
Phoenix Physician-Led Energy Drink Startup Launches, Seeks Seed Backing
One doctor is redefining the energy-drink and supplement industries by combining medical science with everyday wellness. The creation, Elixir, is a physician-formulated beverage that delivers real energy, focus, hydration, and metabolic support. Now live on Kickstarter, Elixir is designed to actually support your body, not just stimulate it. Elixir's science-driven formula … [More]
Spark Pro Global Elevates Delegating with Virtual Assistant
“Spark Pro Global is an innovative virtual assistant service designed to help entrepreneurs, business owners and creative professionals streamline their operations and reclaim their time,” says owner Heather Harris. “We specialize in handling time-consuming administrative tasks, allowing our clients to focus on their core strengths.” Harris describes the current Spark Pro … [More]
EleeHub Amplifies Ad Opps for Smaller Nonprofits
EleeHub Founder & CEO Todd Vigil at the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, an early client of EleeHub EleeHub is a niche marketing agency dedicated to helping small and mid-sized nonprofits maximize the benefits of Google’s Ad Grant program, which provides up to $10,000 per month in free advertising to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. “Many nonprofits aren’t aware of … [More]
$30M Raise Finalized in Phoenix to Launch AI Agents for Skilled Nursing & Home Care
ExaCare AI, a trailblazer in automation for operations teams in post-acute care facilities, announced a $30 million Series A round led by global software investor Insight Partners, with participation from Foundation Capital, Bienville Capital, and select post-acute operators. The new capital will scale ExaCare's AI platform for skilled nursing facilities and expand product, … [More]
NeuroTech Startup Sets U.S. Headquarters at Phoenix Bioscience Core
NeuroCatch Inc., a brain health technology company based out of British Columbia, announced it will open its United States headquarters in Greater Phoenix at the Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC). The company, an alumnus of the 2025 Arizona State University (ASU)/Mayo Clinic MedTech Accelerator, will support commercialization, manufacturing, sales, distribution, and clinical … [More]
SEMICON Startup Social Showcases Chip Innovation as Venture Fund Backs $20M Funding Round
Pangaea Ventures and the Arizona Commerce Authority hosted the SEMICON West Startup Social during SEMICON West’s first conference in Phoenix, a curated gathering of global semiconductor industry leaders highlighting Phoenix’s emergence as a vital node in the global semiconductor ecosystem. The event, held at the Global Forum, ASU, celebrated Pangaea’s 25 years of breakthrough … [More]
ACA & ASU Partner on Six-Week Hybrid Startup Accelerator
The Arizona Commerce Authority and Arizona State University’s Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute announced the launch of the Fall 2025 Cohort of Venture Start, an accelerator designed to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools and community needed to grow their ventures. The Fall 2025 Cohort sessions will be held beginning October 28, 2025. Launched in … [More]
Premium Ride Service Introduces Transportation Open Bar for Corporate Groups and Private Events
PAX, a ride service offering a private driver-level experience, has introduced new hourly rates and services designed specifically for corporate gatherings, signature events and private parties. An expansion of PAX’s premium rideshare style model, the new offerings include a first-of-its-kind “transportation open bar” concept, giving event planners and hospitality … [More]
Phoenix to Host Global AI and Semiconductor Accelerator
Tesoro Venture Capital announced landmark startup initiatives in Phoenix, AZ, where it will serve as the lead operator to oversee accelerator programs and design-center operations. Tesoro Venture Capital will collaborate closely with industry partners, including Amkor, Cadence and TSMC, as well as the City of Phoenix and Greater Phoenix Economic Council, to drive the growth of … [More]
