Roughly two dozen investors, founders, and economic development and nonprofit leaders came together to launch a new coalition dedicated to advancing Arizona’s startup ecosystem. The Arizona Venture Alliance (AVA) will work to promote Arizona’s startup and investor ecosystem, exponentially increase funding for Arizona startups, and grow deal flow for investors both inside and … [More]
ACA Announces 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge Awardees
The Arizona Commerce Authority announced 10 awardees have been selected for the 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge. The AIC is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by helping early-stage ventures scale. The 10 companies will be added to the Arizona Innovation Challenge portfolio. The 2024 AIC awardees will participate in … [More]
Ad Chariot Synthesizes Free Rides and Mobile Billboards
Ad Chariot is a mobile advertising company that transforms electric carts into eye-catching mobile billboards. “We offer free rides around Old Town Scottsdale while displaying ads for local and national businesses,” says owner and CEO Jason Pritchett, who founded the business in 2023. “Our carts aren’t just advertising vehicles; they’re part of the community, reducing DUIs and … [More]
My Doctor Brand Lets Physicians Own Their Visibility
My Doctor Brand is a product startup launched earlier this year by Ryan Caracciolo, a veteran sales professional and marketer with more than 15 years’ experience in the medical industry, that empowers physicians to manage their personal digital identities independently of their practice or hospital. As founder and president of business growth agency Striventa, he recognized a … [More]
The Essential Role of PR and Video Production for Startups and Entrepreneurs
In a competitive world, effective PR and video production are essential for startups looking to stand out and attract the interest of investors. By implementing a comprehensive strategy that combines B2B and B2C elements, entrepreneurs can effectively engage both consumers and businesses. Setting ambitious goals, such as securing multiple media placements each month, can … [More]
Tech Incubator Launches a New Startup Studio to Increase Local Startups and Jobs
Idealab Arizona, a partner of Idealab Studio, the leading technology incubator, today announced the launch of a startup studio that co-founds Arizona State University-affiliated tech startups to increase commercialized intellectual property, startups and jobs in Arizona. Idealab Arizona will focus on startups in climate, medical, AI and advanced manufacturing to drive … [More]
Now Pools Innovates On-Demand Pools and Spas
Now Pools is the first “on demand” pool and spa company. As co-owner Ross Novotny explains, “Our clients get a pool or spa when they want it, and get their yard back for the rest of the year.” When clients sign up for a seasonal subscription, Now Pools will install an above-ground pool or spa; provide weekly service, chemicals, warranty, and maintenance as needed; and then … [More]
Surprise Home Improvement Aims to Raise the Bar
Surprise Home Improvement was established to meet the growing demand for professional handyman and property management maintenance services in the West Valley area. Taking his decade-plus experience in carpentry, Jeremiah Loyacano has recently founded and launched the licensed, bonded and insured home improvement company in Surprise, Arizona, “dedicated to delivering … [More]
Plug and Play accelerateAZ Announces Sustainability Accelerator Program Partners
Plug and Play accelerateAZ, a program of the Arizona Commerce Authority, announced at the Arizona Innovation Expo three corporate partners for the Sustainability Accelerator program: Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, NSF Engines: Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE) and EPCOR. The Plug and Play accelerateAZ Sustainability Accelerator will champion … [More]
Strategic Growth for Leaders: 10 Success Keys to Elevate You to the Next Level
As new technologies expand and converge, we witness industry, connectivity and innovation advance at accelerating rates. The emergence of generative AI, specifically, raises questions about the future of human agency. Add to that, the scale of global tension environmentally, economically and politically — never mind residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic — are upending the … [More]
The Mac & Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box
In The Mac & Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and culinary innovator Erin Wade shares her inspiring and often hilarious journey of leaving her corporate lawyer job to open a hit mac-and-cheese restaurant, taking you through the challenges and victories that paved her path to success. By sharing … [More]
The Disruptors: How 15 Successful Businesses Defied the Norm
Fearless, innovative, driven and daring. These are the qualities of a disruptor: a business that is willing to take risks to achieve incredible success. In The Disruptors, leading business journalist Sally Percy investigates the stories behind some of the world's most innovative businesses, which took unconventional and trailblazing approaches to overcome the competition and … [More]
ASBA’s GO Program Celebrates the Distribution of $50,000 in Scholarships
The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) announced the distribution of $50,000 in scholarships to participants in the Growing Opportunities (GO) Program since 2023. This significant investment underscores ASBA's commitment to empowering individuals impacted by the criminal legal system and fostering economic growth through entrepreneurship. "The GO Program scholarship … [More]
ACA Supercharges Support for Arizona Startups
New venture programs launched to scale Arizona Innovation Challenge
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced today plans to scale the highly successful Arizona Innovation Challenge program, helping more Arizona startups find success. Through three new and enhanced venture programs, known as Venture Scale, Venture Raise, and Venture Start, the ACA will extend more one-on-one support to Arizona startups that participate in the Arizona … [More]
Entrepreneurs, Your Time Is Money. Are You Being Too Generous with It?
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably done your share of pro bono work: helping a family member or friend, or volunteering to do some work for your child’s school or a favorite charity. You’re happy to help; after all, these projects crop up only occasionally and don’t take up large swathes of time. But what about the pro bono work you do on a regular—even daily—basis? … [More]
Developer Develops Infrastructure Construction Service
Mangat Construction is dedicated to delivering specialized utility services to developers throughout Arizona, including providing comprehensive water systems, sewage facilities and other essential services during the construction process. The company was founded in March, a new enterprise of Glendale-based The Mangat Group. Mangat Construction is one of many companies … [More]
Contractor Builds Up Roofing
United Contracting Group is a commercial and residential general contractor, specializing in roofing and restoration services. Founded in 2020, it has grown in these four years from three employees to more than 40 and serves approximately 1,600 clients annually. Explaining his impetus for founding the company, owner Jarod Huston shares, “As an engineer and career builder, I … [More]
How Entrepreneurship Uplifts Underserved, Diverse Communities
There is no shortage of stories about how entrepreneurship and innovation can spur economic growth under the right conditions, but another intriguing, and often overlooked, characteristic of entrepreneurship is its ability to uplift underserved, diverse communities. In fact, entrepreneurship not only plays a key role in bringing social issues to the forefront, it often … [More]
