Arizona’s startup ecosystem is taking a leap forward with the launch of DevHouse, the state’s first hacker house, operated out of Loloft Phoenix. Co-hosted by DevLabs and Silicon Oasis, the six-week program was designed to accelerate early-stage founders solving real-world problems through technology. The program was fully funded by BlockchainUnmasked and supported by Arizona Venture Capital and PHX Ventures.
DevHouse, in partnership with Silicon Oasis and Loloft, offered a support system to early-stage founders through hands-on mentorship, space to build, and a fast-paced environment to ship tech products that make a positive impact.
“At Silicon Oasis, our goal is to unite and spotlight the Arizona tech ecosystem.” said Silicon Oasis Co-Founder Josue Romero. “DevHouse does exactly that by giving builders the mentorship, space, and community they need to go from idea to launch. We want to make sure great tech startups in Arizona never go unnoticed or unsupported ever again.”
On Aug. 6, a high-energy Demo Day brought local investors, entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders into one room.
Founders were selected through a competitive application and referral process. Once inside DevHouse, they lived and worked at Loloft Phoenix, a hybrid warehouse, office, and coworking space that let teams test prototypes, build code and collaborate.
“Hosting DevHouse is a natural extension of what Loloft stands for: giving entrepreneurs the space and support to grow fast,” said Brendan Howell, CEO of Loloft. “This program is planting a flag for what’s next in Arizona.”
With the backing of sponsors including BlockchainUnmasked, Loloft Inc. and Novel Ice Cream, participants received essential resources, workspace and mentorship that allowed them to focus on building and launching their products.
“As a crypto-focused cybersecurity firm, it’s been an inspiring privilege to sponsor DevLabs’ Hacker House,” said David Richards, CEO of Blockchain Unmasked. “We’re proud to spark innovation in Phoenix while contributing to a secure tech future for Arizona.”
Demo Day gathered a who’s who of Arizona entrepreneurship and venture capital, including Chris Chumley of PHX Ventures, Tyler Baldridge of AZ-VC, Katie Sieker of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Clate Mask of PHX FWD, and Andrew and Sammi Ekmark of Ink’d Greetings.
Founders pitched live to this powerhouse audience, sharing products built for real-world impact.
Top three standout projects:
- Mary Sannapu, Cetera: AI-powered PFAS water treatment database for underserved communities, improving public health and environmental safety across Phoenix and beyond.
- Diego & Shapiro, Code Place: A gig-as-challenge talent marketplace ensuring merit-based hiring and boosting Phoenix’s digital economy.
- Nisarg & Natalie Levi, Obotiq: Humanlike robots delivering faster, smarter, more personalized dining experiences — set to transform hospitality.
From healthcare tech to robotics, participating startups are set to improve lives, create jobs, and fuel economic growth in the region.
“When we started DevHouse, the vision was simple — give Arizona’s builders the same energy, resources, and belief that founders get in places like Silicon Valley. Over these six weeks, we watched ideas turn into products, strangers turn into teams, and Arizona proved that it’s ready to be a place where startups are born,” said Dhanush Vardhan, Founder of DevLabs.
Arizona is rapidly becoming a magnet for tech talent and venture capital, but early-stage founders have historically lacked the deep support found in coastal hubs. DevHouse is on a mission to change that — positioning Arizona as the launchpad for the next generation of world-changing companies.
“Among Greater Phoenix’s strengths are the collaborative spirit and innovative mindsets of entrepreneurs,” said Mark Paratore, Vice President of Business Development at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC). “DevHouse continues that tradition with the fresh perspective of founders and tech leaders building for the future.”
