Sponsored Launch Fueled

by Spencer Fane Winner Announced

In alignment with its mission to grow scalable startup ventures that fuel the Arizona economy, UACI has teamed up with legal firm Spencer Fane LLP to support science and technology startup companies. The winning startup, TheraCea is unleashing the power of precision medicine by developing clinical diagnostic tools for the faster and more accurate detection of cancer and neurological disorders, as well as for best-in-class therapy matching and rapid assessment of therapy efficacy. TheraCea Pharma will continue working with UACI and receive a one-year sponsored admission at UACI which includes a structured incubation program, customized business mentoring and the ability to work alongside other startups in a fast-paced environment. UACI provides the people, programming and place needed to successfully launch and scale a business. Other tools the incubation program provides are office and laboratory space, and assistance through a 28-point roadmap that helps them with everything from refining their business model to obtaining funding. In addition to one-year sponsored admission at UACI, the winning startup will receive legal services from Spencer Fane LLP. The total package value is $16,800 and is funded by Spencer Fane LLP.

Venture Madness Finalists Announced!   

Paramium Technologies is among 16 finalists selected for the annual statewide Venture Madness pitch competition. Paramium Technologies, a startup based on technology developed at UArizona, has been supported by Tech Launch Arizona and UACI to move from innovation to impact through business development. At the 2024 Venture Madness Conference, these 16 finalists will compete in a pitch competition for a share of $40,000 in cash prizes.

Powering Arizona's Black Entrepreneurs

Local First Arizona has unveiled its latest initiative: the We Rise business Accelerator. This innovative program, spanning six months, offers a comprehensive curriculum aimed at equipping Black entrepreneurs with the essential skills needed to thrive in Arizona’s business landscape. The We Rise Accelerator will help bolster the entrepreneurial spirit and economic empowerment within Arizona’s Black community.

UACI & CIC bring in EDA Grant

A $300K EDA grant was awarded to Community Investment Corporation (CIC) in collaboration with University of Arizona Center of Innovation (UACI) for the BOOST Innovation Seed Capital Fund Development Project. UACI is one of many ecosystem collaborators in this grant. Together the organizations will work to address issues facing early-stage startup and tech entrepreneurs in Southern Arizona.

USAT Awarded Two Million SBIR Grant

US Air Tech has recently received a SBIR Phase II grant of $2 million to further develop its cost-effective technologies that enable global connectivity. With a rapid scaling trajectory, business founder Patrick Gbele is exploring expansion options within the UA Tech Park to meet the company’s demands to connect the planet including remote areas and disadvantaged communities.

Graduate Success Story 

UACI program graduate, Revolute Robotics, was showcased in the Phoenix Business Journal as one of 10 startups to watch in 2024. The startup has developed safe robots for inaccessible places based on technology developed in the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona. Supported by the UArizona entrepreneurial ecosystem, founders have worked with McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, Tech Launch Arizona and UACI to advance their robotics and business model.

German Sensor Company Expands Operations to US

Micro-Hybrid Electronic GmbH, an international innovator in microelectronics and infrared sensors, established a new United States application center at the UA Tech Park, bringing new investment into the region. As part of the company’s growth strategy, it was imperative to expand into North America so they leveraged UACI’s Soft Landings Global Advantage program and the specialized facilities at the UA Tech Park.  

Emagine Solutions Technology Releases White Paper 

Emagine Solutions Technology, a UACI startup, just released a white paper based on recent women's health research. With guidance and grant resources from the National Science Foundation, Emagine Solutions Technology conducted more than 100 interviews from 2021-2023 – talking with patients, providers, experts and insurers from diverse backgrounds across the US. The report What Comes After…provides insight and a guide to rethinking pregnancy apps.  

Startup Spotlight: Black Labs

Let’s update the description to: Black Labs LLC provides innovative solutions to help simplify complex testing problems. The company and accredited laboratory work on solutions in clinical testing, environmental swab screening and agricultural testing. Black Labs utilizes advanced technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to solve complex testing problems in the analytical space.

VENTURE MADNESS CONFERENCE + EXPO

The Venture Madness Conference is Arizona’s longest-running capital conference and early-stage pitch event where we connect up-and-coming companies with the region’s most active investors.

The 2-day conference features networking, ‘Shark Tank’ style pitches, active investor feedback, audience participation, and an EXPO where participating companies get to feature and demo their innovations for attendees.

UArizona Libraries Women’s+ Hackathon 

The Women's+ Hackathon, organized by UArizona Libraries, is a non-competitive event created for women and allies, taking place on April 6 & 7, 2024. It aims to provide a space for collaboration and innovation through workshops and activities. Interested participants can register starting March 1st.

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The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is a key component of Tech Parks Arizona which brings together university, industry and community to advance technology innovation. UACI is the University of Arizona's startup incubator network with outposts across the Southern Arizona region with a mission to grow scalable startup ventures that fuel the Arizona ecosystem.