20 Years of UACI: A Night of

Innovation & Celebration

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. Additionally, there will be a spread of international cuisines representative of regions in the UACI Soft Landings program. The celebration is open and free to all, but advanced registration is required.

Power Connecting YOU to Funding in Solar

Learn how UACI can connect you to funding opportunities in the solar industry. 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 gain support through a series of live and recorded events as well as availability to meet one-on-one to answer questions and work through the application.

Celebrating a Champion of Innovation

In celebrating 20 years of Innovation at UACI, it would be remiss of us to not highlight one talented individual who brought us here. UACI Director Anita Bell has been part of the UACI team since day one. For two decades, Anita has focused on supporting entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into successful companies. During her professional career, Anita has directly assisted over 230 tech and science-based startups and thousands of entrepreneurs. Anita provides exceptional assistance daily to the 70 companies currently in the program through connections, resources and mentorship. With an unwavering commitment to building and uniting Tucson’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the expression 'it takes a village to raise a startup' is not just a saying to Anita, but a way of life. Thank you for 20 years of passionate perseverance in supporting startups, Anita!

Startup Spotlight:

TG Recycling

TG Recycling is a tech startup with innovative technologies that recover valuable and toxic metals from renewable energy waste including solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles. By combining mechanical and chemical technology to recycle solar panels, the startup is capable of recovering all the inorganic materials. Even the company’s technology is renewable, as it employs circular chemistry to regenerate and reuse one of the two repeatedly used chemicals needed for the recycling process. 

The World has Lost Tech Founder Pava LaPere

Pava LaPere was born and raised in Tucson shaping her formative years before heading to Johns Hopkins University and pioneering a path of innovation in Baltimore and founding EcoMap Technologies. Her unwavering commitment of helping her community was nothing short of inspiring. As a passionate tech CEO she was recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 for her dedication to hyperlocal, ecosystem-based economic development to create a more equitable future for all communities. In times like these, we're reminded of the profound effect one person can have on the world. Pava LaPere's spirit lives on in the lives she has touched, and her legacy will forever inspire us.

Understanding Basic Requirements for Federal Funding: Presented by R&A CPAs

Looking for federal funding in the renewable and solar energy space? As a Power Connector for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), UACI is hosting an online webinar series to provide nationwide support to startups applying to the DOE Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual Use Photovoltaics Incubator. To better understand the many requirements that need to be addressed while preparing budgets that qualify for federal funding, join us October 4! The upcoming online workshop will be presented by a certified public accountant (CPA) who has experience working with teams applying for federal funding will review key requirements. Participating in the workshop could serve as the key needed to receiving federal funding.  

UACI 20th Anniversary Community Celebration

UACI is commemorating 20 years of driving innovation forward! Save the date, October 19, 2023, for the big 20th Anniversary Community Celebration. The event will be held from 5:30-7:30pm at UACI's headquarters at the UA Tech Park. Join us for a fun night reminiscing on milestones and looking ahead. Learn about new innovations coming to the market through excellent networking opportunities with startup founders. Immerse yourself in a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere that radiates vibrancy and creativity. The celebration is open and free to all, but advanced registration is required.

TENWEST Impact Festival & IdeaFunding

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

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.

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.