SmartRent to Go Public in $2.2 Billion Merger with Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp. I

SmartRent

SmartRent.com, Inc. has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp. I, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) sponsored by an affiliate of Fifth Wall, the largest venture capital firm focused on the global real estate industry and proptech. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company will be publicly … [More]

Can Phoenix Become America’s Semiconductor Capital?

inbusinessPHX.com

Over the past 30 years, the share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the U.S. has dropped from 37 percent to 12 percent, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. In light of the global semiconductor shortage, however, the U.S. is becoming more aware of the need to strengthen its chip manufacturing ecosystem. Thanks to a large existing cluster of … [More]

Innovative Solution Matches Quality Businesses and Job Seekers

by Alison Bailin 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, while national unemployment rates have risen approximately 3% — from roughly 3.4% to 6.5% — amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona’s rates are already more than 7.3%. This number is likely to grow even more in the coming months as the state’s thousands of soon-to-be college and trade school graduates enter the job market in … [More]

Cox Business Leans In with a Powerful Work-at-Home Solution

by Ed Aaronson

According to Forbes, the percentage of workers permanently working from home is expected to double this year, and Big Tech is leading the way with companies like Twitter and Facebook having recognized the benefits of employees working from home indefinitely, even as offices reopen. In fact, according to SHRM, 94% of 800 employers surveyed by Mercer, an HR and workplace benefits … [More]

New Tech Enables Those with Physical Disabilities to Control TV Video Guide with Their Eyes

Cox Communications

Cox unveiled new technology in Phoenix and Tucson that empowers people with disabilities to control their TV with their eyes. The Accessible Web Remote for Contour gives those who have lost fine motor skills – whether from degenerative conditions or paralysis – the ability to browse the video guide with a glance. Specifically, a free web-based tool is navigable using various … [More]

City of Mesa Goes Live with Enhanced Technology

City of Mesa

Hansen Technologies is pleased to announce that the City of Mesa, Arizona, is now live with the company’s latest release of Hansen CIS. The city has been a long-standing customer of Hansen since 2000. Equipped with enhanced UI configuration capabilities and an expanded integration framework, Hansen CIS enables North American utilities and municipalities to manage the full … [More]

9 Steps to Safeguard Your Business from a Cybersecurity Attack

by Antonette Vanasek

As evidence mounts about the depth and breadth of the Russian hack onto the U.S. cybersecurity apparatus, and most businesses having to pivot to a WFH business model, now would be an excellent time for business executives to test and review the security of their business organization’s network. They are as follows: Increase email security. Many believe that email is a … [More]

Disposal Box Programs Are Good, but Not Good Enough

by Mike Hunter

There is an emerging awareness that “disposal box” handling of retired assets is not good enough, according to the International Association of IT Asset Managers, the leading authority on IT asset management. One impact of the coronavirus pandemic on business has been causing organizations to no longer operate from a central location. When it comes to IT asset disposition, … [More]

Seven Arizona Bioscience Startups Earn $30K Through Flinn Foundation Entrepreneurship Program

Flinn Foundation

Artificial intelligence to assist Alzheimer’s disease caregivers, rapid virus screeners, a headband to monitor for concussions, and new technologies for surgeries and drug discovery are some of the innovations of the participants in the 2021 Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program. Seven Arizona-based firms will each receive $30,000 in funding support through a … [More]

GoDaddy Completes Acquisition of Poynt

GoDaddy

GoDaddy Inc., the company that empowers everyday entrepreneurs, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Poynt. The combination expands GoDaddy's commerce services to help small businesses grow – both online and offline – using one platform. "GoDaddy exists to empower everyday entrepreneurs and we're committed to helping their ventures succeed by delivering … [More]

Workforce Management Helps Navigate Today’s World of Work 

by Mike Morini

Workforce management software does much more than automate paper time sheets and manual schedules. The world of work has evolved with complex labor laws, union rules and employee expectations that make the process of managing hourly workers surprisingly challenging. The pandemic has created additional requirements, including new safety regulations to address health concerns and … [More]

Surge in ‘Snitch Software’ Highlights Need to Keep IT Licenses Current

by Mike Hunter

The year 2020 saw the emergence of “snitch software” sneaking into auditing practices, and the International Association of IT Asset Managers, the leading authority on IT asset management, expects its use to proliferate. How does this manifest? One example is a recent court case between a vendor and a consumer. The vendor had placed into its product a Piracy Detection and … [More]

COVID-19 Accelerates the Demand for Digital Innovation

by Joshua Kanter

COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on people’s lives and the global economy, impacting nearly every industry, including traditional and digitally native sectors. But the pandemic has not slowed innovation — in fact, it’s accelerating digital innovation to historic levels as organizations seek new ways to connect with and serve customers. The global disruption has required … [More]

Protecting Data is Key to Staying in Business 

Woz U

In today’s work-from-home, shop-online, remote-schooling, internet-centric world, cybersecurity should be paramount for every business. Employees may be working from home, sharing an internet-connected computer or workstation with multiple family members, or conducting business from multiple devices. On January 28, Data Privacy Day, Woz U cybersecurity experts are sharing tips … [More]

5 Arizona Startups with Emerging Technology Get Grants from invisionAZ and StartupAZ

inbusinessPHX.com

YellowBird, an on-demand two-sided marketplace that matches vetted Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals with businesses nationwide, is proud to announce it has been recognized by invisionAZ and StartupAZ with a $25,000 grant. The EmergeAZ Fast Grant was established in partnership with the Arizona Governor’s Office to provide financial support to … [More]

Why You Should Consider a Digital Transformation for Your Company in 2021

by Joel Patterson

As with every new year, it’s important to formulate, plan, and set your business goals. Have you considered how revamping your software solutions could help you achieve those goals? Here are just a few of the reasons to consider a digital transformation for your business in 2021. Keeping Up with Yourself. Your goals most likely include some form of growth—more customers, … [More]

ASU Student Team’s Fog-Free Mask Design Wins $1 Million International Competition

Arizona State University

A student team from Arizona State University has won the million-dollar XPRIZE Next-Gen Mask Challenge to redesign the face masks used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by making them more comfortable, functional and affordable. The contest drew nearly 1,000 entries from young innovators in more than 70 countries around the world. The ASU team made the top five in early … [More]

Digitizing the Private Investment Marketplace

by Mike Hunter

WealthVP is fully launching this month following three months in beta testing. The brainchild of entrepreneur Leif Hartwig, WealthVP acts as a catalyst for investment opportunities, virtually matching qualified private companies seeking capital with purpose-driven Family Office investors in one simple, easy-to-use SaaS platform. Using information entered in investor and … [More]

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