TechTalk eNews: July 2025

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Lucid Group, Inc. shared several news items over the past month:
- Launches collaborative to further strengthen supply chain for American automotive and EV manufacturing
- Uber partners with Lucid, Nuro for ambitious robotaxi program
- Adds hands-free drive assist and hands-free lane change assist as next step in ADAS / AD roadmap
- Lucid Grand Touring car breaks Guinness world record
- Lucid shares gain on record-breaking vehicle deliveries in Q2
ASU and SEMI partner to upskill semiconductor talent
Benchmark completes key role in U.S. manufacturing and testing for Intel’s Aurora Exascale Supercomputer
Arizona Commerce Authority’s new coalition aims to make Arizona the best state to start a business
Pipeline Design & Engineering Guest Blog Post: Scanning and Reverse Engineering in Product Development: Why It’s Not Just “Scan and Done”
SRP opens applications for free solar system program for nonprofits
Comcast Business Guest Blog: Hospitality Technology Trends for 2025 and Beyond
TSMC sales surge in first half of 2025, riding wave of AI chip demand
Aurora begins commercial driverless trucking in Texas, ushering in a new era of freight
Chetu Guest Blog Post: AI Chatbots and Agentic AI Offer Different Solutions that Save Money for Businesses
Arizona Commerce Authority and Southwest Mission Acceleration Center launch The Office Of Defense Innovation to strengthen state’s aerospace, defense, and technology sector
Delta Development team selected for $1.57M TACFI Opportunity to advance Total Blood System (TBS)
FPT Guest Blog: Transforming Arizona’s Tech Landscape: Private Equity Solutions for Digital Evolution
9 months in: How Amazon’s drone delivery service is doing in Phoenix
Comcast Business Guest Blog: How AI is Reshaping Unified Communications
Chandler manufacturer VB Cosmetic’s quick-dry nail system sparks multimillion-dollar beauty empire
Crating Technology Guest Blog: Engineering Precision in Motion: How an Arizona Company Helped Preserve a Record-Breaking Aircraft
Avnet empowers future STEM leaders through 2024-2025 Mini Grant Program
ASU moves up among top-ranked universities in the world for 2026
Energy developer Arevon secures $600M in funding for expansion
FPT Guest Blog: Elevating Arizona’s Skies: Data-Driven Solutions for Advanced Air Mobility

Join us Next Week in Prescott! 2025 CEO Leadership Retreat

There’s still time to attend! Join the Council and Arizona Commerce Authority for the 18th annual CEO Leadership Retreat August 4-5 in historic Prescott, AZ. This event offers a unique opportunity to step away from the daily grind, assess your achievements over the past year, and set new goals for the remainder of 2025 and beyond. Whether you hold the title of CEO, C-suite executive, president, business leader, or entrepreneur, this two-day retreat is for you – join us! Plus, our golf tournament on August 5 is open to all – not just retreat attendees! Register >>

Mix + Mingle + Learn Opportunities in Tucson & Phoenix

Join us for an exclusive evening at the Q3 VIP Tech Mixer hosted by Illume, Tucson Airport Authority and the Arizona Technology Council! Mark your calendar for This Thursday, July 31, and come mingle with our esteemed board members, VIP guests and fellow tech enthusiasts in a fun and vibrant setting. Enjoy watching planes take off into the sunset, delicious food, engaging conversations and fantastic networking. Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Register >>

Ready to harness the power of AI?

Join Brain Bridge Labs and PCC’s SATEC on August 20 for a hands-on, 4-hour workshop designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking practical, real-world AI strategies to grow their business. Register >>

AI Strategy + Cybersecurity = Smarter Business

Join the Council and Integro Bank for an exclusive panel event exploring how AI and cybersecurity are reshaping today’s business landscape. Hear from tech leaders on emerging innovations, smarter platforms and strategies to protect and scale your business. Plus, connect with fellow tech leaders and industry experts. Register >>

August Phoenix after5 Tech Mixer

Connect with Arizona’s Phoenix tech community on Wednesday, August 27 at SciTech Institute for our monthly after5 Tech Mixer. Enjoy great food, drinks and networking with industry pros in a fun, energetic setting, open to both members and non-members!

Register >>

Join Us Fore a Good Time! Phoenix Golf Tournament September 10

Join the business and technology community at the Arizona Grand Golf Course in Phoenix for the Arizona Technology Council’s 15th annual Phoenix Golf Tournament to be held Wednesday, September 10. This annual tournament brings industry leaders and technologists together for a day of networking and sportsmanship. Grab your foursome and make plans to join us on the course! Register >>

Cybersecurity Committee

Learn more about our Cybersecurity Committee.

Arizona Manufacturing Catalyst Committee

We are excited to introduce the NEW Arizona Technology Council’s Arizona Manufacturing Catalyst Committee, a dynamic initiative that advances Arizona’s manufacturing sector through innovation, collaboration and community engagement. The committee is co-chaired by Eric Miller (PADT) and Tracey Latham (Latham Industries). Want to learn more? Join us for the committee’s kick-off meeting on August 12. For more information, please email [email protected].

Smart Cities + Digital Transformation Committee

2025 saw the Council’s IoT and Smart Cities committee update its name and charter to reflect the growing trend of digital transformation. Their new name is Smart Cities + Digital Transformation Committee. IoT and sensors have now become ubiquitous with data creation so the committee will focus on combining emerging technologies into smart city applications. The committee has also moved its annual Smart Cities Conference to April and they are already looking forward to 2026’s event. If you’re new to AZTC, or just want to try something new, the Smart Cities + Digital Transformation Committee invites you to join them! Learn more >> Smart Cities + Digital Transformation Committee

Arizona E-Mobility & Energy Ecosystem (AEEE) Committee

The Arizona E-Mobility & Energy Ecosystem (AEEE) Committee is thrilled with the success of its 2025 E-Mobility and Clean Energy Summit last month. The event brought together industry leaders, fostering key collaborations, innovative discussions, and actionable strategies to advance Arizona’s leadership in sustainable energy and e-mobility. The committee and its members look forward to a great year with enhanced collaboration in solar, battery, vehicle, and other sectors in the space. Learn more >> E-Mobility & Energy Ecosystem Committee

Aerospace, Aviation, Space and Defense (AASD) Committee

The 2025 Aerospace, Aviation, Defense and Manufacturing (AADM) Conference in Tucson was a great success with over 300 in attendance. See below for pictures from the day. Many AASD members were involved with orchestrating or speaking at the AADM Conference. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 18 hosted by Boeing in Mesa

The AASD Committee is working on a number of initiatives:
- A workforce development project to better align aerospace educational pathways to industry signals
- Vector 48, the committee’s new newsletter that comes out every other month
- Spotlighting startups and companies new to the state at each AASD meeting
- Gearing up to support AZTC’s 2026 Public Policy Guide with industry leader input
The committee hopes to bring a number of new members to the August meeting, companies that have rejoined AZTC like ERAU and Bombardier
The committee also has some new volunteers from Plug & Play and ASU that will help the AASD co-chairs as programming expands

Learn more about the AASD Committee

We’re thrilled and grateful to share that the Arizona Technology Council received two awards during the 2025 TECNA Summer Conference in Montréal: 2025 Innovation Award – Public Policy & Advocacy and Spirit of TECNA Award – Steve Zylstra, President & CEO. These honors from the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) celebrate the Council’s relentless work advancing pro-innovation policies and recognize the visionary leadership of our President + CEO. Read More >>

AZTC Applauds Computer Science Education Funding in State’s FY 2026 Budget

Steve recently attended Governor Katie Hobbs’ signing of Arizona’s state budget. The Council is proud to share that the final budget includes $1 million for computer science teacher professional development, one of the Council’s 2025 legislative priorities. This funding moves us closer to a future where every Arizona student has access to a computer science course before graduation. One course can raise student wages by 8% and unlock billions in economic potential. Read More >>

CEO Update: Section 174 R&D Expensing Provisions Pass Congress

Big win for Arizona’s innovation economy: Congress has passed reforms to Section 174, restoring permanent full expensing for R&D investments. This milestone follows more than three years of sustained advocacy by the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), where Steve serves on its Public Policy Committee. AZTC members joined TECNA in advocating for this critical policy, delivering a much-needed boost to small and mid-sized tech businesses. Read More >>

My View: R&D tax change boosts Arizona innovation, economic growth

Restoring full R&D expensing, especially on a permanent basis, reinforces the United States’ commitment to global competitiveness, job creation and high-value economic growth. It’s not just a tax policy fix. It’s a lifeline for American innovation. Read more >>

Arizona Technology Council Announces Integro Bank as a Banking Partner

The Council recently announced that Integro Bank has joined its group of member benefit partners. This new partnership offers Council members enhanced access to banking services specifically designed to meet the needs of Arizona’s growing technology sector. With a focus on small businesses, Integro Bank delivers three exclusive advantages not available through any other financial institution, offering Council members a truly unique and valuable banking experience. Read More >>

ICYMI: TechFocus Member Spotlight Featuring Manny Teran

In the latest TechFocus Member Spotlight podcast, we were joined by Manny Teran, CEO of IRLabs, a Tucson-based leader in advanced cryogenic and infrared detector systems. An accomplished entrepreneur and innovation expert, Manny shares insights from launching numerous successful projects and helping businesses grow from idea to impact. Listen Now >>

Own a Small Business?
The Council can be your ONE-STOP-SHOP for comprehensive healthcare and retirement benefits

From our comprehensive health insurance product bundle managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and DiMartino & Associates to the flexible and low-maintenance 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan offered by Empower and Legacy Wealth Management, the Council can be your one-stop shop for comprehensive employee benefits. Read More >>

Join SciTech at the 2025 National Rural STEM Learning Summit

You’re invited to learn and work with the best of the best at the 2025 Rural STEM Learning Summit this August!

Designed to bring together rural educators, administrators, and community leaders who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math, participants will have the opportunity to attend inspiring keynotes, participate in hands-on workshops, and network with like-minded individuals who share their love for STEM.

WHEN: August 27 -29 (Pre-Conference on the 26th)
COST: $275
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Group rate of $149 per night, plus applicable taxes over the dates of the Summit. The conference rate is also available three days pre & post-Summit. Identify yourself as an attendee of the Rural STEM Summit 2025 to receive the group rate.
WHERE: We-Ko-Pa Resort and Casino, 10438 N. Fort McDowell Road, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264

QUESTIONS?

To learn more about sponsorships, speaker opportunities or exhibiting onsite, please contact Cathy Wylet at [email protected] or 602-820-4247.

The Arizona tech community is vibrant and filled with opportunities to learn and grown. If you’d like to see what our member companies have to offer, check out the Council’s Community Tech Events calendar! New events are added weekly and the calendar is a great spot for member companies to showcase their events – from open houses and ribbon cuttings to webinars and trainings, there’s a ton available.

If you’re an AZTC member company and would like to have your tech event featured, simply complete the event submission form at the bottom of the Community Tech Events page!

The Council’s success is made possible by the support of our incredible annual sponsors! This month, we’re highlighting Platinum Sponsor Slalom. Slalom is a global consulting firm focused on strategy, technology, and business transformation.

The Council’s Political Action Committee advocates for tech companies at the local, state and federal level, vets political candidates and endorses those with track records in supporting pro-tech legislation. Support the PAC to take a stand for technology and bolstering Arizona’s economic recovery.

Check out photos from Council events that took place this month!

City of Yuma Solar project is progressing
Phoenix will get federal funds to help build advanced water purification facility
Do you want federal money for an EV or home solar? Time is running out.
SRP opens applications for free solar system program for nonprofits
What to know about buying EVs after the federal tax incentives end
Building Arizona’s clean energy workforce: navigating growth, challenges, and political headwinds
The truth about electric vehicles in Arizona: Hot roads, cool tech
Colorado River water guidelines expire soon. What comes next?
APS partnership launches battery storage project
Arizona business leaders and City of Phoenix Mayor speak out on repeal of Clean Energy Tax Credits

Read the full report >>

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program Launches

Arizona’s Office of Resiliency has officially fully launched the HEAR Program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $8.8 billion investment in Home Energy Rebates. This program offers up to $14,000 in point-of-sale rebates for lower- and moderate-income households to purchase high-efficiency appliances and upgrades, including heat pumps, induction stoves, insulation, ventilation, water heaters and more.

More info: www.efficiencyarizona.com