Feedback: July 2023

Q: What makes the Greater Phoenix area a strong region for the growth of technology companies?

Rebecca Clyde

Co-founder and CEO
Botco.ai, Inc.
Sector: Technology

I’ve been part of the technology sector in Arizona since my arrival here 20 years ago when I first took a job at Intel. Since then, I have had the privilege of participating in the tremendous growth of this sector, first as an employee of the largest chip maker in the world and then as a tech entrepreneur when starting Botco.ai.

The company’s genAI Chat Cloud enables conversations between businesses and their customers that are engaging, personalized and insightful.

I can’t think of a better community to support technology startup endeavors, that is willing to take big bets on the future and has consistently opened its arms to innovation and progress. It was here that Botco.ai found its first investors, customers and partners willing to take a chance on a nascent technology that is now gaining wide adoption.

Co-founder and CEO of Botco.ai, Inc., Rebecca Clyde is an accomplished business leader with unique expertise in marketing automation and company building. Prior to Botco.ai, Clyde founded Ideas Collide, an Inc. 5000 digital agency now in its 15th year serving Fortune 500 companies. She was previously a digital strategist at Intel and holds an MBA from Arizona State University. 

Mark Hanchett

Founder, Chairman and CEO
Nxu
Sector: Technology

At Nxu, we are manufacturing innovative battery cells and battery packs, for use in advanced energy storage systems, megawatt charging stations, and future mobility products. Our vision is to enable a future where energy is abundant and easily accessible, making electrification viable across all market segments, which requires a team of innovative technology professionals who are not only skilled in their field but have a hunger to solve big problems and make a difference.

We are fortunate to have launched our tech startup in the Greater Phoenix area, a region that fosters talent nurtured by top-notch universities and a thriving tech ecosystem. Our startup began with the idea of an electric work vehicle, but we quickly realized a reboot to the entire battery and charging industry was needed to deliver reliable and consistent energy for everyone. Our goal is not a simple one — it takes drive and passion to build a future of infinite energy. The team we have built has played a pivotal role in scaling our startup and we look forward to further expanding our operations in this flourishing hub of innovation.

Mark Hanchett has more than a decade of experience in product development, driving 16 successful electromechanical and software product launches that brought significant change. As the founder, chairman and CEO of Nxu since 2016, Hanchett’s passion for solving complex problems is evident and he excels in product strategy, design, manufacturing and business operations, with a relentless focus on customer experience. Prior to founding Nxu, he led innovative hardware and software product development teams at Axon Enterprise Inc.

Sabina Rajasundaram

Founder and CEO
Codefy
Sector: Technology

The Greater Phoenix region is committed to creating a business-friendly climate and creating a diverse workforce that represents the local community.

I launched Codefy amid the pandemic to address the underrepresentation of the Native American and Alaska Native communities in the tech industry. We work in partnership with Tribal Nations and indigenous organizations to provide training in software development and help place our students in tech companies at the completion of the training.

I was able to grow my venture thanks to the amazing tech and startup community in the Greater Phoenix area. I received valuable support, mentoring and connections from organizations like Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Association for Economic Development, Arizona Commerce Authority and Seed Spot. I appreciated the accessibility and friendliness of the Phoenix tech scene.

Research has shown that diversity results in increased innovation and profitability, and several tech companies have found value in the trained talent we provide from indigenous communities. They provided opportunities for internships and entry-level jobs and have greatly benefited from the talent and skills of our students!

Sabina Rajasundaram is the founder and CEO of Codefy, a social impact venture. She is passionate about sharing her software development skills to train indigenous young adults for the tech industry. She hopes that through her work at Codefy, she can help move the needle toward undoing some of the harms caused by historical and ongoing injustices for indigenous communities to heal and rebuild.

Alexi Venneri

Co-founder and CEO
DAS Technology
Sector: Technology

DAS Technology started in Scottsdale in 2010 as Digital Air Strike, and, while we have had multiple opportunities to leave the area, we’ve chosen to stay and grow in the Valley of the Sun. Our biggest opportunity to move was in 2011, after we merged with the Silicon Valley technology company Response Logix. While we were the smaller company, we grew faster and kept our name. We convinced our California-based VCs that Greater Phoenix has more potential to grow our technology company over Silicon Valley, and we were right!

Phoenix has great universities with talented graduates, a lower cost of living and is more business friendly. The Valley’s lifestyle helps us retain and recruit talent to our company, offering a “way of life” that Silicon Valley can’t match. The fact that our region opened quickly during COVID was a big competitive advantage for us.

Before moving to the Valley, I lived in New York and Seattle. I can share my personal experiences with our team and technology investors about why Greater Phoenix is a new hot market for fast-paced technology companies like ours.

Alexi Venneri is the co-founder and CEO of DAS Technology, the largest automotive Customer Data and Experience Platform (CDXP) company. A pioneer in digital response, social media technology and online reputation management, Scottsdale-based DAS Technology increases consumer response and lead conversions for more than 9,200 businesses and OEMs by leveraging patented AI-powered digital technology.