The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) has teamed up with Perkins Coie LLP to sponsor one promising startup team with resources, facilities, services, and expert guidance to grow their business. The year-long program will also foster networking opportunities for its participants.
In alignment with its mission to serve as a business incubator and fuel Arizona’s economy through startup support, UACI seeks collaborations with other regional organizations. For several years, Perkins Coie LLP has collaborated with UACI to successfully support startup businesses. Building on the momentum and interest of entrepreneurs, the organization enhances the program each year.
“As a law firm committed to serving as trusted advisors to the most innovative companies, Perkins Coie is proud of our longtime partnership with UACI,” said Perkins Coie partner, Raj Gangadean. “Opportunities like this fuel the continued expansion of Arizona’s startup landscape, resulting in a positive impact on the state’s economy.”
The enhanced program will offer customized business support to ensure that the winning startup team has a successful journey through a 27-point venture development roadmap. The incubator helps entrepreneurs develop a business plan, perform a market assessment, implement product validation, prepare a business pitch presentation, secure funding, and much more for a successful launch into the market. UACI provides dedicated space for startups where they can work alongside other entrepreneurs in a fast-paced environment.
The application window for submissions opened on December 15, 2021 and will close on January 19, 2022. After a review and interview process, the winning teams will be announced on February 1, 2022. Beyond admission into the UACI for one year, the winning team will also receive a cash award of $15,000, which includes funding for a legal project budget. The total prize package is valued at $25,000. The cash award will be disbursed to the winning team in multiple installments during the award term (February 2022 through January 2023). Continued disbursement of the cash award installments will be contingent on continued active participation in the UACI program and progress towards completion of stated and agreed-upon program milestones.
For more information and to apply click here.
About the UA Center for Innovation
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is a startup incubator network with outposts across the Southern Arizona region. For nearly two decades, the program has directly served over 160 companies and impacted thousands of entrepreneurs. This is done by providing access to people, programming, and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market. Startups go through a structured program that takes them through a continuum of education provided by mentors, advisors, and community collaborators. UACI also provides access to service providers, industry cluster groups, interns, and connections to potential customers and strategic partners. Entrepreneurs utilize various physical spaces that include offices, wet and dry labs, meeting rooms, a prototyping center, collaboration areas, and the infrastructure to support these spaces. UACI is part of Tech Parks Arizona, which brings together university, industry, and community, creating “interactive ground” to advance technology innovation.
About Perkins Coie LLP
Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.