Applications Due For IdeaFunding 2025 

Last call to submit IdeaFunding 2025 pitch competition applications! This is Southern Arizona’s largest pitch competition co-organized by Startup Tucson and UACI where participants will receive pitch training through UACI, drawing on decades of experience supporting startups. UACI plays a pivotal role in IdeaFunding, guiding participants through multiple competitive rounds with expert mentorship and robust pitch training. Entrepreneurs who are selected to advance in the competition benefit from personalized coaching and the opportunity to refine their business pitches with UACI mentors and staff. IdeaFunding offers over $50,000 in prize funding and provides a platform for local entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate. The deadline for applications is January 14. 

Valley Fever Solutions

David Larwood, founder and CEO of Valley Fever Solutions, was featured by KOLD about the rising numbers of people getting sick in the Southern Arizona population from valley fever. This UACI startup has worked for over 15 years to combat valley fever and develop innovative antifungal solutions. 

2025 Flinn Foundation Bio Capital Conference

Register today for the upcoming conference on “Managing Growth and VC Capital As You Scale” on Mar. 6, 2025! The Flinn Foundation, in collaboration with the Risk Capital Project Team of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, is bringing together investors and the startup community to focus on biosciences and tech health. 

BizTucson Emerging Leaders 

UACI's Executive Director, Casey Carrillo, has been recognized as one of BizTucson's 22 Rising Stars and NextGen Leaders! Casey’s hard work and visionary leadership in driving UACI’s mission has been instrumental in empowering startups, fostering innovation and supporting the entrepreneurial community. A big round of applause to all the incredible leaders recognized this year. 

Startup Spotlight – Carbon Utility 

Carbon Utility has been working to remove emissions from our atmosphere by converting carbon dioxide into valuable low emission products through modular & scalable direct air capture (DAC) technology. They were also named as one of the winners for the 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge! 

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)  

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Energy Technology Office (SETO) and Water Power Technology Office (WPTO) to provide support for the 2025 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Release II funding opportunity. 

Phase I projects explore the feasibility of innovative concepts with awards of up to $200,000 (depending on the topic) over nine months. The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is excited to provide support through informational webinars. On January 16 Sonia Vohnout, UACI Subject Matter Expert, will review techniques for "Writing a Compelling SBIR/STTR Application". The deadline for DOE SBIR/STTR Release II letters of intent is extended to January 14.

Arizona Photonics Day

Optics Valley and the Arizona Tech Council are proud to present the Arizona Photonics Days conference once again at the UA Tech Park. This multi-day event offers a platform for optics and photonics professionals to connect, learn, and network. The program will highlight key technologies in astronomy, biomedical technology, laser technology, sensing / metrology and quantum technology. Attendees can look forward to daily keynotes, over 25 presentations, 20+ company spotlights, and ample networking opportunities. Optional lab and facility tours will also be available. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay at the forefront of the optics and photonics industry. 

Developing your PIER (Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research) Plans  

Looking for funding? The Federal funding programs Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), provide over $2.2 billion to cutting-edge technologies developed by small businesses each year. The program provides non-dilutive funding to foster the commercialization of technological innovation. 

Join us on January 30, 2025, for a session with Cameron Barnes, DEIA Subject Matter Expert who will discuss the key elements of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and (DEIA) and Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) plans and how to write SMART goals. 

TENWEST 

Join southern Arizona’s largest professional development experience with a six-day festival and three-day conference. Founded in 2015, TENWEST is celebrating 10 years in Tucson. The festival showcases the connectivity between technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, culture and impact, uniting attendees to gain the knowledge and inspiration needed to innovate their careers and communities.

Each day will showcase something new with expert speakers, hands-on workshops, and exciting performances. Startup Tucson hosts the 2025 TENWEST Impact Festival and co-leads IdeaFunding in partnership with UACI where founders of Arizona companies will share their stories and compete to win over $50,000 in prizes. 

STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA and gain insight about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and meet our incredible startups!

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.