Sponsorship Programs

Through partnerships with community champions, UACI provides select startups with an opportunity to participate for a year in UACI’s incubation program. This Sponsored Launch may include work and lab space and potential cash prizes to give innovators the necessary resources to grow their business. 
The Sponsored Launch program is a competition and candidates must apply within specific timeframes. The winning startups are working on solutions for real-world problems and have a desire to make a significant difference in local and global communities through innovation.
UACI is excited to continue these beneficial collaborations that fuel Southern Arizona’s startup ecosystem and help startups achieve their goal of creating solutions for real-world problems to make a difference in the world through innovation.
Interested in supporting and fueling the next Sponsored Launch program? Contact info@uaci.org

US Market Entry Soft Landings Program

Soft Landings map 
Tucson, Arizona is known for its relatively low business startup costs and high accessibility to major market connections including California, Texas and the Mountain West states as well as to the markets and manufacturing capabilities of Mexico.

This strategic location provides access to nearly seventy million customers in the United States and Mexico within a 1,000-mile radius. Strategically located, but without large city congestion and regulation, Tucson provides a high-capacity transportation infrastructure. These factors and more make UACI an ideal entry point into the U.S. market for international companies and startups.

InBIA logoIn 2020, UACI earned the prestigious Soft Landings designation from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA). With this official endorsement, international companies can be assured that best practice accommodations are in place so that a “soft landing” is ensured when entering a new country.

SBIR Support

UACI helps companies apply for and secure SBIR/STTR funding. The SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact.

UACI helps startups navigate SBIR/STTR funding process by:

  • Providing letters of support for startups that meet certain requirements
  • Giving access to Subject Matter Experts to provide guidance and strategic support.
  • Providing connections to other resources as needed
  • Reviewing written materials
  • Conducting workshops and seminars