Phoenix Children’s, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, recently announced a partnership with Coplex, a leading venture studio and corporate innovation firm, to launch six new health care technology startups over the next three years. “We’re honored to partner with Phoenix Children’s because its mission is something we care deeply about and the pediatric … [More]
Connect-UV Sanitizes with the Power of Natural Light
Nic Brown founded Connect-UV in March 2020 in direct response to the COVID pandemic and the need to keep people safe from dangerous germs. Connect-UV provides UV-C sanitation products for consumers and businesses. UV-C is naturally occurring light that is filtered by our ozone layer. The wavelength of the light destroys the DNA of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, and … [More]
Puzzle Rides’ Unique Adventures also Support Other Old-Town Small Businesses
Katie and Gregg Dufort created Puzzle Rides, a mobile escape room-style scavenger hunt, in the middle of the pandemic. When their Old Town golf cart taxi service got shut down in 2020 because of coronavirus, the couple pivoted to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to the city. Puzzle Rides is an adventure game where players are taken on a scavenger hunt via golf cart and must use … [More]
invisionAZ and StartUpAZ Announce Final Block of EmergeAZ Fast II Grant Awardees
invisionAZ and StartupAZ announce the final block of EmergeAZ Fast II Grant awardees. In partnership with Governor Doug Ducey, $1.5 million had been allocated to the EmergeAZ Fast II Grant to provide resources to Arizona entrepreneurs and startups with emerging technologies designed to address current and future economic, health, or societal challenges. “In just a few … [More]
SBA Launches T.H.R.I.V.E., Executive Level Business Training for Entrepreneurs Ready to Maximize their Full Potential
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the launch of T.H.R.I.V.E. (Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate), a reimagined training program for small business leaders, formerly known as Emerging Leaders. “T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined initiative will … [More]
Arizona’s Instituto Appoints Former Fellow Shelley Jackson as Its First Executive Director
Instituto, the progressive BIPOC-led, Arizona accelerator and incubator, announced Shelley Jackson as its new executive director. Jackson will lead the organization in fulfilling its mission of equipping low-income and communities of color with the finances, tools, and support they need to build political infrastructure and power. “We must empower and uplift low-income … [More]
Caribou: Childcare & Community
Taking to heart the advice, “Create a product that people need,” Dinali de Silva and Jordan Kong founded Caribou last year to provide “reliable childcare.” Says de Silva, “Childcare in America is a fragmented and broken system. The current options are either too expensive for the average family or don't offer the one-to-one attention that young kids need. At Caribou, we believe … [More]
Phoenix Is a Top 10 Startup City
In the past decade, Phoenix has developed into a technological hub to rival that of Silicon Valley. The capital city’s rise as an innovation center has made it one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States, with job growth exceeding the national average by 44%. This is among several key findings in a new study from Clever Real Estate that ranks Phoenix as the … [More]
Family Tradition Inspires Leila’s Empanadas
Owner and chef Leila Beltrame of Leila’s Empanadas, started putting her artisan empanadas and Brazilian cheese rolls on the market last November, launching with an event to benefit a local nonprofit. “They are healthy food options because they do not contain any type of preservative,” she says, noting they use the best ingredients available, including organic. “We sell them … [More]
qBotica Reaches Finals for Arizona Startup Competition
qBotica, a Phoenix-based intelligent document processing and robotic-process automation company, was recently nominated for a competition between Arizona's 16 most innovative startups and is now among the Final 2 technology companies to be featured in the event to elevate the region's startup ecosystem and encourage investment. AZ Inno Madness is a friendly … [More]
Former Tuft and Needle Execs Get Funding for New Outdoor Furniture Venture
Phoenix-based outdoor furniture brand, Neighbor, announces the closing of a Series A funding round from Strand Equity. The funding round will support new product development, team expansion, and marketing initiatives. The multi-billion-dollar outdoor furniture industry has grown significantly with increased consumer willingness to invest in quality pieces while spending more … [More]
