UACI Releases Economic Impact Study Data

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation UACI had an economic output of $35.3 million in 2021, according to a new analysis of the center's impact. The economic analysis provides a snapshot in time based on data from the 52 startups enrolled in UACI in two different locations during 2021. Today, UACI has 81 startups in three locations.

The recent economic analysis – done in collaboration with Rounds Consulting Group, a public policy and economics advising firm – is the first to document UACI's economic impact. The inaugural analysis will serve as a baseline for future economic impact reporting.

The report shows that UACI startups contributed $2 million in state and local taxes in 2021. And startups that went through UACI programming helped create 441 jobs, including 182 full-time equivalent jobs in the form of individual entrepreneurs, startup employees and contractors who were directly supported by the incubator.

The report also found that nearly half – 46% – of UACI startups involve UArizona alumni, graduate students or innovations that originated from university research. UACI businesses often provide experiential learning internship opportunities to UArizona students, as well as jobs after graduation, which helps keep talent in Southern Arizona.

The report highlights UACI's emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion; 62% of UACI startups are minority-owned businesses and 26% of all UACI startups are women-founded businesses. Nationally, only 6% of businesses in incubators are owned by women.

The economic analysis comes during UACI's 20th anniversary. Since its inception, UACI has provided more than 1,000 entrepreneurs with workshops, educational training and pitch preparation assistance. The center has directly supported a total of 235 startups through its programming and resources to help move ideas from concept to market. As a result of the support provided by UACI, startups have accumulated $105.8 million in capital investment funding, according to the analysis.

Ukrainian Tech Startups in Tucson until May

Mikala Novitsky from KOLD News 13 traveled out to the UA Tech Park on Rita Road to meet our visiting Ukrainian startups, hear their stories and report about their innovations. She spoke with Sorbiforce founders Oleg Shermeta and Serhiy Kaminksy as well as EQ App founder Gnat Panok. They discussed the effects their work has already had on their country and what they will gain by being at UACI for the next six months. 

Paramium Tech Features their Innovation

Paramium Technologies has won a $1M grant for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) from the National Science Foundation (NSF). David Wichner from the Arizona Daily Star stopped by their office at the UA Tech Park to learn more about how the new funding will lead to the scale up of their business shaping precision satellite reflectors. Paramium is a company that has benefited from the University of Arizona innovation ecosystem, working with Tech Launch Arizona for commercialization and IP needs and with UACI for business support and scaling.

Desert Angels at the UA Center for Innovation

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation was honored to host a Desert Angels Dinner. The evening started with a mixer where UACI startups networked with the Angels, took tours around the innovation spaces, wet labs and prototyping lab. Concluding the lively mixer, the Desert Angels moved into the event center for the formal pitches and dinner providing the opportunity for our startups to have valuable facetime with investors.  

Flinn Foundation Announces 2023 Bioscience Cohort

TheraCea Pharma, a startup coming from Tech Launch Arizona and the UA Center for Innovation, has been selected as one of six startups to join the 10th cohort of the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program. TheraCea Pharma addresses the greatest challenge in the emerging $145 billion cancer immunotherapy market by providing clinical diagnostic products for patient selection and therapy guidance via immunotherapy biomarkers using PET imaging. The company has developed a set of diagnostic agents that allow oncologists and pharmaceutical companies to select the right segment of patients who will be responsive to specific immunotherapy drugs. 

Metfora to Expand their AI Tech with SBIR Funding

Metfora LLC is the recipient of a SBIR Phase l Award from the National Science Foundation for $255,706 to expand a pioneering AI diagnostic technology originally developed at the University of Arizona. Metfora has fully utilized the innovation ecosystem working with Tech Launch Arizona, Arizona FORGE and the of Arizona Center for Innovation to advance their startup. 

Startup Spotlight:

ProfiKomp North America

With decades of experience, ProfiKomp is a global leader in the field of organic waste management engineering and technologies. We specialize in applying aerobic technologies such as composting, mechanical-biological stabilization and drying to biodegradable waste streams. ProfiCover® is at the center of their compost technologies. It's the next generation breathable membrane laminate based on ProfiKomp's 25 history using, marketing and researching the Gore Cover system. 

2023 Women of the UA Tech Park

Tech Parks Arizona honors women of the UA Tech Park every March in celebration of National Women's History Month. This is a special time to acknowledge women and hard work along their journey. At the UA Tech Park, we value our culture and build community because it is the very essence of a successful organization. Follow along each day to see the faces and stories of the Women of the UA Tech Park and be on the look out, several women from UACI and our startups are featured this year!

Flinn Foundation BioPreneur Conference

This year's theme is Risk Capital: Getting to Yes!, a topic all entrepreneurs can benefit from, not just those in the life science fields. Join investors and entrepreneurs from Arizona and beyond for a day of learning and networking focused on risk capital.

This event is in-person only and will be hosted at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix from 8:30am-5:00pm,

The conference will feature keynotes, panel discussions and breakout sessions on the state of risk capital, preparing for a deal, understanding risk and value, strengthening board leadership, digital marketing and the industry-strategic view on exits.

Venture Madness

Registration is open for Venture Madness, Arizona’s longest-standing venture capital and pitch conference on April 12-13. The premier conference provides opportunities to connect with Arizona’s entrepreneurial community as companies pitch to investors.

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

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.