Programs Help Boost the Success Rate of Tucson Entrepreneurs 

 The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) focuses on technology startups, providing more than 1,000 entrepreneurs assistance through workshops, educational training, and pitch preparation sessions. A recent article published in the Arizona Daily Star details how UACI helps to grow science and tech startups that otherwise may not be able to succeed. This is done through a robust program that dives deep into how to build a scale-up company. Vice President for Tech Parks Arizona Carol A. Stewart shared how UACI keeps between 70 and 80 startups in the program at any given time, an incredible number and the highest density of startups in any program in the state. Over 50% of the startups in the UACI program are life science or bio, meaning they need very specialized infrastructure to move their companies forward.

Sponsored Launch    

Applications are now open for UACI Sponsored Launch Fueled by Spencer Fane LLP, offering a sponsored year at the incubator for a deserving startup with a committed team working to solve a significant business or social challenge in the science and tech industry. Don’t delay; applications are due February 2  

Direct Air Capture Innovation Program 

UACI is launching a new Direct Air Capture (DAC) Innovation Program in coordination with the Department of Energy that provides access to an accelerated outcome-based virtual program utilizing both online resources and live instruction. Guided by the established UACI roadmap, entrepreneurs can accelerate tech forward at an unprecedented pace. If you are interested in developing solutions for the DAC industry and joining the program, connect with our team. 

Reglagene Receives FDA Designation

Reglagene, a University of Arizona startup, has achieved a major milestone with the US Food and Drug Administration for its innovative brain cancer therapy, securing an orphan drug designation. Reglagene's therapy possesses the rare ability to penetrate the brain and utilizes a proven method to combat brain cancer. With help from the university's commercialization arm Tech Launch Arizona, and startup incubator UACI, Reglagene was founded to bring to market transformative brain cancer treatment innovations developed by professor emeritus of medicinal chemistry, Dr. Laurence Hurley and senior research scientist at the BIO5 Institute, Vijay Gokhale.

Startup Spotlight: MindReady

MindReady provides sports psychology to enrich athletes' mental performance through coaching, leadership development, and on-demand education. Through the UACI program, MindReady expands its network with new markets and potential clients. UACI coached the startup for the IdeaFunding competition in 2022 where it was selected as one of five main stage finalists. MindReady has won two separate Sponsored Launch competitions, fueled by IdeaFunding and Startup Tucson.    

Arizona Photonics Days 2024

Arizona Photonics Days 2024 returns to the UA Tech Park for the third year in a row. AZ Photonics Days celebrate innovations in light-based technologies, showcasing breakthroughs in optics, lasers-and photonics research. This event brings together scientists, researchers-and industry leaders, fostering collaboration and highlighting Arizona's role in advancing the field of photonics here in Optics Valley. There is still time to register! 

Happy New Year 

Happy New Year from the University of Arizona Center for Innovation! Wishing you a year filled with prosperity, creativity, and inspiration. As we step into the new year, we are excited to continue our collective journey towards business growth and success. Together, we've witnessed the birth of groundbreaking ideas, witnessed startups take flight, and celebrated milestones that inspire us to reach greater heights. The new year is a canvas waiting to be painted with the strokes of innovation, and we are excited to see what masterpieces our community will create.

EnergyTech UP Collegiate Business Plan Competition

The Energy Tech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions is back for its third year! Team registration is open now to students and faculty interested in this exciting skills-building competition. The prize, part of the American-Made program, challenges multidisciplinary student teams to identify high-potential energy technologies, assess their marketability, and pitch their strategies for commercialization. Students will learn about cleantech and gain valuable leadership and entrepreneurial skills—all while competing for a share of more than $400,000! New to the 2024 competition is a track challenging faculty to develop and implement educational activities to engage more students in energy technology commercialization and entrepreneurship topics while competing for $100,000. Learn more and register a team now to start competing in early 2024!

Connecting Innovators with

SBIR/STTR Funding

Are you a small business looking to fund your technology innovation? The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program funds startups and 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 is providing specific suppor tto entrepreneurs applying for SBIR and STTR funding related to solar power and waterpower technologies to  prepare a successful submission.  

DOE Lab MATCH Prize

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions Lab MATCH (Laboratory Making Advanced Technology Commercialization Harmonized) Prize is offering up to $620k in cash prizes and support to accelerate national laboratory intellectual property licensing and commercialization. Submissions for Phase 1 of the Lab MATCH Prize are due on January 25, 2024. UACI offers dedicated office hours and mentorship sessions to prospective applicants, ensuring they are well-equipped to craft a compelling and successful submission. 

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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.