The Arizona Commerce Authority announced it is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Arizona Innovation Challenge, one of the nation’s largest business plan competitions. This year, the Arizona Innovation Challenge will feature a Fall 2025 cohort and Spring 2026 cohort, with investments for the most promising companies taking place in partnership with investors and venture … [More]
Valley Schools Get a Security Boost with AI Technology
Verkada, a leader in AI-powered physical security technology, now partners with schools and universities that collectively serve an estimated 20 million students and 2.5 million teachers and staff worldwide, including schools that educate approximately half of the students in Arizona. With increasing demands on school safety and operations teams, many education leaders are … [More]
Streamlining Customer Verification: Lessons from AI-Powered Fintech
In the fintech industry, customer onboarding ensures new clients can effectively access and use financial or banking systems. A well-structured onboarding process helps companies build trust with customers while meeting compliance requirements in highly regulated markets. Traditional onboarding and KYC methods include manual checks, which are slow and difficult to scale. … [More]
Scottsdale Firm Secures 5 Patents to Mine on Moon
LH3M has reached a defining milestone: the issuance of five U.S. patents covering the full architecture for detecting, extracting, and refining helium-3 from the Moon. As the only company exclusively focused on this mission, LH3M has positioned the United States at the forefront of the most pivotal energy and computing frontier. The U.S. is running out of … [More]
Tempe Space Tech Firm Secures Federal Contract to Speed Solar Production
Solestial, Inc., the solar energy company for space, announced that it has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1.2 million dollars to develop a novel, fast to manufacture, multiorbital solar array wing concept for small satellites. The award enables Solestial to optimize its low-mass, radiation-hardened silicon solar cells and solar … [More]
Lucid Upgrades Arizona-Produced EVs with Autonomous Tech
Lucid Group, Inc., maker of the world's most advanced electric vehicles, announced a major update to its DreamDrive® Pro suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to deliver Hands-Free Drive Assist and Hands-Free Lane Change Assist1 to its award-winning lineup of electric vehicles. These and other vehicle enhancements will be available as an over-the-air (OTA) update … [More]
Sun City Fiber Deployment Strengthens Valley’s Broadband Capacity and Business Readiness
PRIME FiBER, an open-access fiber infrastructure provider, backed by InLight Capital, announced the start of construction on its high-speed fiber network in Sun City, Arizona. The build, part of the companies wholesale fiber broadband services agreement with AT&T, follows a ceremonial groundbreaking held on June 18 and marks a key milestone in their expansion in Arizona. It … [More]
AI Startup Debuts Grid-Smart Software in Metro Phoenix, Closes $24.5M Seed Round
Emerald AI announced its official launch, unveiling the results of its first commercial demonstration and $24.5 million in seed funding led by Radical Ventures, with participation from NVentures (NVIDIA's venture capital arm), AMPLO, CRV, and Neotribe. Emerald AI is also backed by an array of notable individual investors, including Google Chief Scientist Jeff Dean, former … [More]
Navigating Arizona’s Semiconductor Supply Chain
Strategic alignment impacted by tariffs, AI and more
The U.S. Commerce Department's Section 232 investigation into semiconductor imports has significant implications for Arizona's burgeoning semiconductor ecosystem. As the state advances its position as a domestic semiconductor manufacturing hub, the investigation's outcomes could reshape the landscape for local manufacturers and suppliers. Strategic alignment with federal … [More]
Chemical Logistics Firm Anchors Arizona’s Growing Supply Chain
In Casa Grande, a new kind of infrastructure is taking shape, less visible than fabs and battery plants but just as vital to Arizona's high-tech economy. NRS Logios America, a global leader in chemical logistics, officially opened its first U.S. logistics facility in late May: a $90-million chemical logistics park designed to meet the rising demand for safe and reliable … [More]
Best Practices for Using AI Wisely
1.Start Small Identify one or two key areas where AI can have the most significant impact, such as customer service chatbots or automated invoicing. These are great starting points for businesses looking to automate interactions and save time. 2.Verify AI Outputs AI-generated insights or recommendations should be reviewed before implementation. Human oversight is necessary … [More]
How AI Can Transform Small Businesses
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s already reshaping the way businesses operate. While it may seem complex, AI’s core function is simple: enabling machines to analyze data, recognize patterns, and automate tasks that would normally require human input. For small business owners, AI is a game-changer, offering powerful tools to streamline operations, … [More]
Arizona Public Universities Launch The Next Wave of Women Engineers
Arizona’s public universities are driving the state’s rise as a national hub for engineering and technology talent. With Arizona among the fastest-growing states in the nation and demand accelerating across the semiconductor, health care and tech sectors, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona are producing skilled graduates who are … [More]
Arizona Sees First Test Flight of Honeywell’s Autonomous Helicopter
Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy have successfully completed the first autonomous test flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter, marking a major milestone in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. This flight demonstrates the feasibility of uncrewed, autonomous aircraft capable of operating in contested environments without an onboard pilot or … [More]
AI Brings Smarter Energy Management to Rental Property Platform
SmartRent, Inc., the provider of smart communities solutions and smart operations solutions for the rental housing industry, announced the continued evolution of its platform with the introduction an AI-powered intelligence layer and enhanced energy management tools designed to empower operators to make informed decisions to reduce utility waste, cut costs and support ESG … [More]
Verizon Business Launches Vehicle-to-Everything Connected-Driving Platform, ACA Partners
Arizona Commerce Authority the first partner to sign on for the Edge Transportation Exchange platform
Verizon Business has commercially launched Edge Transportation Exchange, a mobile-network vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication platform for connected vehicles, with multiple customers already signed on, including the Arizona Commerce Authority. Following a successful U.S. Department of Transportation and 5G Automotive Association joint demonstration, the Arizona … [More]
Collaboration Fuels Arizona’s Semiconductor Success
Arizona is taking center stage for semiconductor development
Elected officials and semiconductor industry leaders gathered in April at Arizona Commerce Authority's Semi Breakfast Fueling Innovation: How Arizona is leading the charge in next generation semiconductor development, a forum hosted by the ACA to discuss the importance of semiconductor development in building a resilient Arizona economy. The message was clear: Semiconductor … [More]
New Tempe-Based Foundry Expands Arizona’s Tech Edge
Quantum Computing Inc. recently celebrated its quantum photonic chip foundry at Arizona State University's Research Park, marking a significant advancement in the state's semiconductor and quantum technology sectors. The facility specializes in producing thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips, essential components for high-speed data transmission and quantum computing … [More]
