Member News: February 2021
Arizona Commerce Authority celebrates 10 years of goal-shattering success
Today, Arizona’s economy is diversified, with more jobs in manufacturing than construction, our startup ecosystem is attracting global attention, and our state is competing at the highest level for new jobs and expansions. This transformation did not happen by accident. In the midst of that downturn, leaders from government, business, universities and more came together to reimagine our state’s economy–with a focus on attracting and growing more high-value export and tech-based industries. That effort resulted in the signing of legislation to establish the Arizona Commerce Authority on February 17, 2011. Since the ACA’s creation in 2011, the agency has successfully won more than 950 competitive projects from companies that have committed to creating just more than 191,000 projected new Arizona jobs and investing $33.8 billion in our state–far exceeding agency goals. Read more >>
ASU announces partnership to expand access for skills program
Individuals looking to jumpstart careers in the growing fields of data science, software engineering, and website and app design, are now able to take advantage of a new online training program through Arizona State University and Chegg, Inc.’s career accelerator, Thinkful. Learners who enroll in one of the training programs can choose to study either full-time or part time and complete in 5-6 months. This program is launching at a time when companies continue to face an ongoing shortage in tech talent, a trend that is only expected to grow as advancements in technology accelerate. The partnership and project is one of many designed and implemented by ASU’s Learning Enterprise, a newly created initiative aimed at increasing social and economic opportunity for individuals at every stage of life outside of traditional undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Read more >>
Edmund Optics expands with new facility in Tucson
Edmund Optics, the premier provider of optical and imaging components, recently announced that it has opened a new assembly and advanced design facility in Tucson, the second Edmund Optics location in the state. This 21,225-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will support advanced design efforts and high-volume manufacturing services, including cleanroom assembly and incoming inspection with numerous testing capabilities such as MTF, straylight, thermal cycle, shock and vibration. Customers will now have access to more sophisticated commercial and ITAR compliant offerings at a regional location on the West Coast. CEO and Chairman of the Board Robert Edmund states “this new facility will allow Edmund Optics to build a larger collaborative partnership with Arizona Optics Initiative (AOI) and the Arizona Technology Council (AZTC). It solidifies our commitment to Tucson and AZTC Optics Valley initiatives.” Read more about Edmund Optics’ expansion >>
Founders of Axosoft dedicate $10 million to fund 100 Arizona startups
Hamid Shojaee, the founder of Arizona tech companies Axosoft and PureChat, is letting his entrepreneurial colors show once again. This time he’s not starting a software company, but shifting his focus towards the Arizona tech ecosystem as a whole. Hamid and his wife, Lawdan Shojaee, former CEO of Axosoft and current COO at GitKraken, are investing $10 million into 100 Arizona startups through their group AZ Disruptors. He announced his three-pronged plan in a YouTube video posted recently. Arizona is short on people willing to lose money in startups, according to Shojaee, especially compared to places like Silicon Valley where the tight competition forces investors to look at earlier stage companies. AZ Disruptors is accepting pitches on its website, both for startups seeking funding and other investors looking to get involved. Read more >>
Avnet and ON Semiconductor join forces to accelerate IoT innovation
Leading global technology solutions provider Avnet and ON Semiconductor, driving energy efficient innovations, have joined forces to create a framework that helps OEMs more rapidly develop end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The collaboration simplifies the process of building IoT-enabled devices through rapid prototyping system solutions from ON Semiconductor that are preconfigured to connect to IoT application developers and service providers through the cloud. Avnet’s IoTConnect® Platform, powered by Microsoft® Azure and the associated Avnet IoT Partner Program facilitate this connection. Through this collaboration, Avnet and ON Semiconductor remove as much complexity from the IoT development process as possible. This allows OEMs to easily build products and experiences around those products and bring them to market faster, while at the same time lowering risk. Read more about this partnership >>
Northern Arizona University names finalist named for its next president
The Arizona Board of Regents approved a finalist for the job of president at Northern Arizona University. Dr. José Luis Cruz, the executive vice chancellor and university provost at The City University of New York, where he has been since 2016, was selected after a nationwide search for the next leader of the Flagstaff university after current NAU President Rita Cheng announced in September that she would not seek an extension of her contract. Cruz is expected to be officially appointed as the school’s 17th president at a later meeting when the board has approved contract terms. Cruz’ career includes time as provost of California State University, Fullerton and vice president of higher education policy and practice at The Education Trust in Washington, D.C. and as chief student affairs officer for the University of Puerto Rico system. Read more >>
Sun Corridor Inc. has key role in newly formed Arizona Fintech Council
Sun Corridor Inc. is among the leading state organizations to work to entice fintechs to come to Arizona and help them partner with financial institutions. The council will initiate new opportunities for member financial institutions and selected fintechs to connect with each other, evaluate startups’ readiness to work hand in hand with financial institutions on innovative new products and services, and aid in arranging proofs of concept with participating financial institutions and fintechs in Arizona’s regulatory sandbox. It is a great opportunity for new entrants whether it be startups or established companies new to the U.S. marketplace. Participating financial institutions can enter prospective partnerships with, invest in or outright acquire some of the participating fintech companies. Read more >>
University of Arizona TIMESTEPS Summer Internship Program
The TIMESTEP Summer Internship Program is a unique opportunity for small- to mid-sized businesses based in Southern Arizona to connect with talented UArizona undergraduate juniors in the Physical Sciences. This competitive program provides employers with a vetted pool of students who have worked in research teams, possess computing skills and are ready to work alongside development and engineering teams. Employer deadline is February 25, 2021. Learn more about the benefits to employers, as well as participation requirements and submission process >>
Digital Air Strike acquires LotVantage to expand inventory digital marketing, engagement + targeting solutions
Leading consumer engagement technology company Digital Air Strike has acquired the assets of LotVantage, a digital inventory marketing SaaS company that enables auto, RV, marine and powersports dealerships to effectively merchandise their inventory through advanced targeting and data analytics. Coupled with Digital Air Strike’s awareness, engagement and loyalty software and services, the acquisition supports the company’s strategy of leveraging technology to improve the online consumer retail experience while helping retailers gain efficiencies and greater return on investment. Through the acquisition, Digital Air Strike will expand upon its offering to enable the hyper-local and targeted syndication of inventory through marketplaces such as eBay, YouTube, and Craigslist. These platforms are in addition to its current marketplace partners, including Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon OTT streaming on 85+ platforms pairing Digital Air Strike’s dynamic inventory integration with Amazon’s local targeting. Read more >>
Life365 and VectorCare align to expand and accelerate digital health solutions
Life365, a leading remote patient monitoring company, announces alignment of their virtual care platform with VectorCare, a Bay Area patient care logistics company, to expand and accelerate the deployment of digital health solutions for healthcare organizations. The partnership between Life365 and VectorCare will enable healthcare organizations to create more efficient workflows and accelerate the deployment of digital health solutions. This collaboration provides comprehensive telehealth and remote patient monitoring technologies that enable health systems to leverage remote patient monitoring to treat and manage patients in their homes, reduce hospital readmissions and emergency department visits, help patients better manage chronic conditions, provide ongoing care to patients once they have transitioned home, and help keep patients and caregivers connected to their care team. Read more >>
9 Trends in B2B marketing from KEO Marketing
Whether you are a do-it-yourself marketer or work with a team of professionals to manage your B2B marketing efforts, you know how quickly things evolve. It’s important to recognize what’s working and do it well. You can’t afford to waste your time or money on strategies that aren’t moving the needle. Download “9 Trends in B2B Marketing That Are Working” from award-winning B2B agency KEO Marketing to see which new trends are making an impact in B2B Marketing and how you can leverage them to further drive growth and success in your marketing efforts for 2021 and beyond.
If you haven’t incorporated these trends yet, now is the right time. Download now >>
Phoenix College hosts virtual Future of Work Summit on March 4
Phoenix College announced its virtual Future of Work Summit on March 4, 2021. As Phoenix College (PC) celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is focusing on its next century. That means responding to workforce needs, and defining key economic drivers for the community. The event will review economic trends and provide a snapshot of the Phoenix market, informing and guiding important questions. Sessions will focus on workforce trends, the current workforce landscape, how can community colleges can help support businesses in the areas they serve, as well as work-based experiences for or increased opportunities in training and workforce development. Sector breakout sessions at the Future of Work Summit include: IT/cybersecurity, health care, business services and construction. Read more >>
Here is what’s trending in 2021 for InfoSec: University of Advancing Technology
University of Advancing Technology Professor Aaron Jones shares his expertise and insight on the top information security trends he foresees for 2021, as well as discusses how the increased tensions globally will continue to fan the flames of cyber warfare. As the lead cyber instructor at the University of Advancing Technology, Jones also sheds light on two powerful tools, a network intrusion detection system and source code analysis tools, to guard against cyber attacks and minimize vulnerabilities within your organization. Read more >>