TechTalk eNews: January 2026

Home > News/Media > TechTalk eNews: January 2026

Research Milestone Pushes ASU Into Top Tier of U.S. Universities
Boeing’s Mesa operation lands Army contract for Apache helicopter support services
Lucid to begin Arizona production of robotaxis with Uber and Nuro later this year
Comcast Business Guest Blog: A New Era in Cybersecurity
Crating Technology Guest Blog: Best Custom Crating in Phoenix, Arizona: What to Know Before You Ship
Phoenix Tech AV Blog Post: Start the New Year With a Bang: Elevate Your Next Event in 2026
Cybersecurity Readiness Advisors Guest Blog: January 2026 Cyber Risk Brief: What Insurers Are Watching Closely
Chetu Guest Blog: Strategic Pillars for Modernizing Enterprise AI and Machine Learning Data Pipelines
Arizona and ACA land AI venture studio backed by LG Electronics’ investment arm
TSMC may build several new fabs in Arizona as part of proposed US-Taiwan trade deal
AZTC Board Member Tomás Díaz de la Rubia of The University of Arizona named National Academy of Inventors fellow
Paragon IT Professionals Announces Leadership Transition to Support Long-Term Growth
Nextage Announces Strategic Partnership With Hammers to Advance Turnkey Avionics Solutions
ASU and SRP Partnership Offers Mentorship and $20K Pitch Opportunity for Arizona Firms
U of A research expenditures exceed one billion, ranked among top 20 public universities
Honeywell Appoints Executive Team for Aerospace Spin-Off
International Regenerative Medicine Hub Opens at Mayo Clinic
Japanese semiconductor supplier Shin-Etsu MicroSi plans Ahwatukee expansion
Avnet stock hits all-time high after earnings beat expectations for fourth straight quarter
BizTucson Nextgen Leaders: Katie Schwertz, Edmund Optics

Don’t Wait FORE It! Sign Up for Tucson Golf Today!

Join the technology and business community at the beautiful Arizona National Golf Club on Friday, March 6 for the Council’s 16th Annual Tucson Golf Tournament. This scramble format tournament brings industry leaders and technologists together for a day of networking and sportsmanship. All players will compete for prizes and don’t forget to show your team spirit and compete for the Dangerfield Team Award for the best dressed foursome! Register >>

Lots of Love for Tech Mixers From Phoenix to Tucson in February!

Step inside the 3 Pillars Performance Group office for an after5 Tech Mixer designed to go beyond networking. Attendees will tour the facility and learn more about the systems used to help organizations align strategy with execution. Participants will leave with clearer insight into execution challenges, stronger leadership alignment considerations, and practical perspective to support more informed performance-related decisions. Register >>

The Council and Foam Packaging Specialties are thrilled to host the February after5 Tech Mixer on Wednesday, February 25! Join us for an invigorating night of networking with the brightest minds in tech. Whether you’re a member or a non-member of the Arizona Technology Council, this is your chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow innovators! Register >>

Mark Your Calendars – 2026 Signature Events + More Announced Soon!

2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for Arizona Technology Council events. From high-energy mixers and insightful Virtual Tech Speaker Series to must-attend summits, and even a few brand-new signature experiences, we’re building a lineup designed to inform, connect and inspire Arizona’s tech community. As details are finalized, we’ll continue updating our Events page, so you’re always the first to know what’s coming next.
Calling all Tech Leaders: Learn + Grow with AZTC in 2026

Optics Valley Committee

Our Optics Valley committee has had a busy start to 2026:

Hosted Q4 general member meeting in December with 3 industry presentations.
The 9th Annual Arizona Photonics Days featured 2 full days of technical presentations, company spotlight presentations, industry cluster updates, networking, 13 exhibitors and multiple tours on the 3rd day of the conference.
Following APD, several OV members traveled to the Photonics West Conference which featured 12 AZ companies in the OV corridor and 18 additional AZ companies exhibiting outside the corridor.
Working on a joint Optics Valley and American Center for Optics Manufacturing (AmeriCOM) Legislative Breakfast to be held in Spring 2026.
Working on a joint series of events with Optics Valley and the Town of Oro Valley for 2026. Learn More + Join OV >>

Southern Arizona Women in the Workforce

The Women in the Workforce committee is underway with planning of their 2026 series of 4 events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the committee. The first event in the series occurs later this month on February 20. Details below. Learn more about WIW >>

Become a Tech Ambassador — Join Our 2026 Phoenix Committee!

Want to take a more active role in shaping Arizona’s tech future? Consider joining the Council’s Phoenix Ambassador Committee. As part of this dynamic group, you’ll:

✨ Help represent AZTC across the local tech ecosystem

🤝 Connect with industry leaders, policymakers and fellow innovators

📣 Promote events and opportunities that matter to our community

🚀 Stay ahead of emerging trends and help drive growth statewide

We’re looking for motivated, engaged members who want to be in the action — and we’d love to have you on board in 2026. Interested in Joining the Phoenix Ambassador Committee? Learn More >>

My View: Arizona earns ‘superpower’ status in new national AI infrastructure report

Any regular reader of this column knows Steve doesn’t hesitate to share the stories of why Arizona is home to great success stories of technology. But when others use descriptions like “superpower” and “leader/strong,” that adds to his bragging rights. 👉 Read more >>

Meet AZTC’s Newest Board Members

The Council recently announced it has appointed Bipin Jayaraj, chief digital and information officer, Benchmark; Bob Krakauer, chief financial officer, Arevon; and David Felix, senior manager of Regulatory Affairs, SRP, to its board of directors. Jayaraj, Krakauer and Felix were elected unanimously to serve three-year terms at the Council’s quarterly board meeting held on Jan. 29. Meet them and read more >>

ICYMI: Latest TechCast Episode

In this episode of AZ TechCast, industry leaders break down the realities behind the headlines and explore how Arizona is balancing rapid growth with responsible innovation. Tune in for timely insights on one of the state’s fastest-growing tech sectors. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or subscribe to the Council’s YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss this episode. Listen Now >>

We’re proud to announce a NEW AZTC member benefit through an exclusive partnership with JetStream Advisors. Together, we’re offering members access to the JetStreamWay™ Executive Protocol Cohort, a cohort-based leadership operating system designed to move leaders from strategy to execution. ✔️40% exclusive member discount
✔️ Cohort-based executive development
✔️ 10% of proceeds reinvested back into AZTC Learn More >>

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 >>

Integro Bank, partnering with Arizona State University, invites you to its February CEO Club Event featuring Hitendra Chaturvedi, Professor of Practice at ASU, who will present key points of the final research report, including specific insights that can be immediately applied to businesses and prepare them for emerging opportunities in the AI era. Learn More >>

Arizona Tech Week is a decentralized tech conference powered by the Arizona
Commerce Authority (ACA), Arizona’s statewide economic development organization. During the week, hundreds of tech-focused events will take place across Arizona. Every event is organized individually by startups, companies, and VCs. Learn More >>

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 the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). The ACA is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy.

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!

Poll: Arizonans support clean energy to improve health, air quality and keep bills affordable
Recurrent Energy closes construction financing for Maricopa County projects
Missed the solar tax credit? A new workaround could still save homeowners money
Neighbors express concern over proposed new West Valley data center project; ACTC speaks in support

Read the full report >>

Local Renewable Energy Siting

Interested in local renewable energy siting in Arizona? Complete this short sign-up form to join the Arizona Local Renewable Energy Siting Info Network listserv and monthly meetings.

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

Check out RMI’s new Electricity Affordability Toolkit that includes over two dozen policies that states can use to advance electricity affordability. Designed primarily to inform legislative action, it includes information relevant to advocates, regulators, administration officials, and more. Learn More >>

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