Innovation Takes Flight!

Celebrating UACI's 20th Anniversary 

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) commemorated its 20th anniversary with a successful event on October 19, 2023, held at UACI's headquarters in the UA Tech Park. We are so grateful to the community that joined us for this significant milestone. Supporting innovation is not a one-time event, it is a continuum of effort. That is why we are so thankful for our community collaborators which enable us to do what we do. For two decades, UACI has been fueling Southern Arizona’s economy by serving scalable science and technology startups. The milestones that UACI startups have achieved have led to numerous jobs, tax revenue, and increased economic prosperity for the region. As UACI enters a third decade, its legacy as a catalyst for innovation will amplify in the coming years. Based on its current trajectory, it is forecasted that UACI will create an estimated 18,875 jobs, generate over $600 million in wages, produce $1.5 billion in economic activity and create nearly $85 million in state and local tax revenues over the next 30 years!

NeuTherapeutics Wins Funding

NeuTherapeutics received a $2.5M Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health/ National Institute on Aging to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the impact of a new dietary supplement, PhytoSERM, on menopausal hot flashes. The team, led by Roberta Diaz Brinton, director of the UArizona Health Sciences Center for Innovation in Brain Science is a member of the BIO5 Institute. As an emerging company based on technology developed at UArizona, Neutherapeutics has worked with both Tech Launch Arizona and the UA Center for Innovation to commercialize, develop the innovative and advance the business.

Cybersecurity Startup Wins Entry Into UACI 

UACI Sponsored Launch program fueled by the City of Sierra Vista and the Southeastern Arizona Chamber Foundation have selected a winning startup. Southern Arizona based company Port 194 will receive one year of incubation through the UACI program thanks to the generous financial support of the Sierra Vista sponsors. Program entrance includes resources, services and expert guidance to grow a business. Port 194 provides custom tools, training, and analysis specializing in big data geolocation and visualization.  

IdeaFunding Finalists Announced

Over the past two months, early-stage Arizona startup companies have participated in several rounds of pitch presentations for IdeaFunding completing robust training and rigorous mentorship provided by UACI. Twenty-five Arizona-based startup companies have been selected as finalists to compete on November 9, 2023 and will present their businesses in front of a live audience during the TENWEST Festival for a chance to win $75,000 in prizes.

Power Connecting YOU to Funding in Solar

Learn how UACI can connect you to funding opportunities for solar innovations. UACI is currently providing applicant support to two funding opportunities through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). Entrepreneurs will receive robust support to answer questions and work through the application.

Celebrating Success: Casey Carrillo Named 40 Under 40 Honoree 

One of our very own Casey Carrillo who serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships, has been selected to receive the prestigious Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Award which recognizes outstanding individuals under the age of 40 that have made significant contributions to our community. This is a well-deserved recognition of Casey's commitment to innovation, leadership, and developing Tucson’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.   

Startup Spotlight:

US Air Tech Corp.

US Air Tech Corp. ia s research and development company developing a novel type of antenna named STELLA - Satcom Technology of Elaborate Luneburg Lens Antenna. This innovative technology for low-Earth orbit satellite communications provides cost-effective and reliable global internet connectivity, data and communications.

TENWEST Impact Festival

TENWEST Impact Festival is a celebration of the growing innovation, creative and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Southern Arizona. Unique in its cross-industry approach, TENWEST showcases the connectivity between technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, culture and impact for a weeklong event that welcomes thousands of diverse attendees to participate in a multi-day conference.

Venture Madness – Get Ready Seminar

On November 1, 3:00 – 4:30pm join us to learn how to apply to compete at the April 3-4, 2024 Venture Madness Conference, in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority. Venture Madness has helped companies raise more than a quarter billion investment dollars. The Get Ready Seminar is an educational seminar designed for emerging companies interested in applying. Applications for Venture Madness are due December 14, 2023.

IdeaFunding

IdeaFunding, Southern Arizona's longest running pitch competition, co-organized by UACI and Startup Tucson, will take place on November 9, 2023 as part of the TENWEST activities. This year's early-stage company pitch competition will present more than $70,000 in prizes, with the mainstage winner being awarded a $25,000 cash prize and a sponsored year of incubation at UACI, a prize valued at $10,000. Watch pitches from 25 incredible, Arizona local, early-stage companies by purchasing your tickets.

Arizona Photonics Days

Optics Valley invites you to Arizona Photonics Days which is just three months away. This event provides the opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders. Be sure to mark your calendar to learn from technical presentations, industry trends discussions, and network with local and global attendees over the course of the three-day conference held at the UA Tech Park.

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.