It's a Celebration - 20 Years of Innovation!

Join the University of Arizona Center for Innovation in commemorating 20 years of driving innovation forward with a community celebration on October 19, 2023, from 5:30-7:30pm at UACI's headquarters - the UA Tech Park. The celebration not only commemorates past success, but especially focuses on the future.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are elevating and expanding how UACI assists entrepreneurs in taking their companies from idea to market. The evening will be filled with reminiscing on milestones and a fun look ahead with food and drink. The celebration is open and free to all, but advanced registration is required.  

Update: Ukraine Soft Landings Cohort

In a recent article by the Arizona Daily Star, Dave Wichner reports how Ukraine startups learn the U.S. ropes through the University of Arizona incubator in Tucson. The University of Arizona Center for Innovation is supporting four Ukrainian tech companies which were accepted at the end of 2022 through a U.S. State Department initiative. They include the creator of an app that helps users develop their emotional skills, the designer of a mobile-first web store/ad builder helping small-business owners start selling online, the founder of an AI-powered assistant that transcribes Google Meet and Zoom calls, and the developer of a sustainable and cost-effective carbon battery. Read the article to learn more about each founder’s personal and professional journey from Ukraine to Tucson, Arizona.

Sponsored Launch Deadline Approaching

Through a collaboration with the City of Sierra Vista and the Southeastern Arizona Chamber Foundation, UACI is offering one sponsored year admission at the incubator for three deserving startups with a committed team that is working to solve a significant business or social challenge in the science and technology industry. This prize package will also include office space at the Sierra Vista Industrial Development Authority. The total prize package is valued at $5,000 per company. Startups are encouraged to apply by June 23, 2023.

Emagine Solutions Technology

Congratulations to UACI startup Emagine Solutions Technology, they are one of 15 Phase 2 awardees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Women's Health (OWH) Hypertension Innovator Award Competition! The $75,000 award will go to funding Emagine's "The Journey Pregnancy" platforms including their patient app (The Journey Pregnancy), provider software (The Journey Clinic), and handheld ultrasound (VistaScan). Emagine has created data-driven technologies to help make pregnancy safer using streamlined monitoring.

SorbiForce One of the Top U.S. Secondary Battery Startups

Join us in congratulating UACI Soft Landings startup SorbiForce for their recognition as one of the five Top Secondary Battery Startups and Companies in the United States! The selective list comes from F6S, the largest global startup network with 4.6 million members. SorbiForce, originally hailing from Ukraine, has created a cost-effective, safe, sustainable battery with zero environmental impact and made from renewable raw materials that works on sorption technology. 

Venture Café Recap

UACI partnered with Venture Café Phoenix to bring the incubator story to life for Tucson and Phoenix startups. Participants heard from a panel of UACI startups including EarthEn, TG Recycling and Imanyco as well as Mentor-in-Residence Shefali Patel who discussed their journey, successes and the value of an incubator. Jill Howard Allen from the Arizona Commerce Authority moderated the panel, providing riveting conversation and guiding insights throughout the session.

American-Made Solar Prize Round 7 Launched

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of the American-Made Solar Prize Round 7—a $4 million prize program designed to spur innovations in U.S. solar hardware and software technologies. The seventh round of the prize includes a new contest that offers additional cash prizes and business development support for new and diverse teams. UACI is one of seven original DOE Power Connectors and specifically serves the Southwestern region of the U.S. to extend the program reach and aid entrepreneurs in the American-Made Challenge journey. 

Startup Spotlight:

Stratus Aero, LLC

Stratus is an aviation company with expertise in specialized aviation products and services, particularly design and development. The company is building FlightSABER, an aerial laser system for controlling difficult-to-access vegetation from light aircrafts up to two miles away without hurting people, animals, vehicles, structures, crops, or the environment. 

Copper Cactus Awards

Join Tucson Metro Chamber September 22, 2023 for the annual Copper Cactus Awards. The night will be filled with celebrations for those making an impact in our community, including the Tech Parks Arizona Startup of the Year. We’re looking forward to celebrating entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and determination alongside other Tucson trendsetters. 

UACI 20th Anniversary Community Celebration

There’s no secret, UACI is commemorating 20 years of driving innovation forward, and we want you to join us! Save the date, October 19, 2023, for our 20th Anniversary Community Celebration. The event will be held from 5:30-7:30pm at UACI's headquarters - the UA Tech Park. Join us for a fun night reminiscing on milestones and looking ahead with food and drink. The celebration is open and free to all, but advanced registration is required.

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LEARN MORE about our startup opportunities and mentorship programs below.

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.