Member news: December 2022
University of Arizona Center for Innovation and the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista support startups through sponsorship collaboration
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) has teamed up with the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista, the City of Sierra Vista Economic Development Department, and the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce to sponsor three promising startup teams with UACI programming which includes: resources, facilities, services, and expert guidance to grow their business. Science and technology startup ventures that are headquartered in the Sierra Vista region or have founders from the area qualify to apply for the Sponsored Launch program. Read more >>
Terkel guest post: 12 tips to implement keynote speaking into your personal business strategy
In Terkel’s latest blog post, their network shares 12 tips for implementing keynote speaking into your personal business strategy. From building a strong online presence to connecting with your audience, here are the 12 answers to the questions, “Is becoming a keynote speaker part of your personal business strategy? If so, what are some helpful tips you would give to others who are considering this strategy as well?”. Read more >>
University of Arizona launches Mission Integration Lab at new UA Tech Park at The Bridges
On December 12, 2022 The University of Arizona Office of Research, Innovation and Impact launched its new research building in the UA Tech Park at The Bridges. The Mission Integration Lab expands research capacity to tackle grand space-based challenges and position the UArizona as one of only a handful of institutions that can run top-dollar missions. The Mission Integration Lab accommodates balloon-borne astronomy, which fills an important niche between ground-based observatories and space telescopes, providing an ideal way to deploy telescopes and other instruments to altitudes where they experience less interference from the Earth’s atmosphere. Read more >>
UAT guest post: Lend a helping hand with Professor Brendly Singleton
It is known that University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is great at, well, advancing technology 
. What’s really cool about UAT are the people who make it such an amazing community. Our professors are so much more than their industry expertise. They go above and beyond inside and outside of the classroom, not only for our students, but for the community. Along with teaching industry-ready topics and highly sought-after curriculum, they are also doing so much good for the world. It is a pleasure to introduce and recognize Professor Brendly Singleton. Read more >>
Biden highlights Arizona’s manufacturing growth at TSMC visit
On the heels of media reports that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. was considering expanding in Arizona, the company confirmed Tuesday that it will build a second fab in north Phoenix to produce 3-nanometer chips by 2026 and significantly increase its investment in the state. To mark a significant milestone in Phoenix, TSMC held a tool-in ceremony on Tuesday for the arrival of its first batch of production equipment at the Arizona fab, where President Joe Biden, TSMC’s founder Morris Chang, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra and numerous industry and elected officials were in attendance. Read more >>
M Catering among the founders of a new organization forming within the hospitality industry
The US food service industry represents a whopping $909 billion (Global Data), with a $10 billion catering industry channel, both set for steady growth in 2023 and beyond. Even with these numbers, food service and catering purveyors found themselves with little representation in Washington D.C. during the tumultuous pandemic years. To gain strength during that time and ensure safety going forward, a group of 16 diversified caterers, event production and hospitality companies banded together to create Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP). Read more >>
Employer branding co. launches new diversity talks podcast series
BestCompaniesAZ, a local employer branding company specializing in identifying and elevating Arizona’s award-winning workplace cultures, launches a Diversity Talks Series powered by the Great Companies! Great Leaders podcast. The Diversity Talks Series was created to connect with award–winning companies committed to fostering a work environment where cultural differences are understood, valued, and celebrated. These ongoing conversations with Arizona’s top employers are essential for companies to understand how a focus on diversity and inclusion leads to better performance, increased innovation, enhanced ability to address customer needs, and a more vibrant company culture. Read more >>
Digital Air Strike marks 10+ years as approved General Motors partner
Digital Air Strike, the leading consumer engagement and customer experience technology company, is honored to be an approved General Motors certified Reputation Management partner for the 10th consecutive year. Digital Air Strike is the longest-running partner in GM’s Approved Reputation Management program, designed to encourage dealerships to work with top vendor partners with proven track records of providing the best value to dealerships and consumers. Digital Air Strike was also the first turnkey partner approved for iMR (in-Market Retail) funds for reputation and social media solutions over 11 years ago. Read more >>
ASU and Mexico partner to boost semiconductor production in North America
Arizona State University will be working with higher education institutions in Mexico, along with microelectronics industry partners, to boost the production of semiconductors in North America and address a crucial national security issue. Recently, ASU President Michael Crow signed a memorandum of understanding with Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, the Mexican ambassador to the U.S., to seal the partnership. Earlier this year, President Biden signed the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which will distribute $52 billion to accelerate U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Because it is not feasible for all semiconductor manufacturing to move into the U.S., the act includes $500 million for international cooperation. Read more >>
Arizona Tech Investors announces new CEO
Arizona Tech Investors (ATI), an Arizona-based angel investing group focused on early-stage and startup companies developing solutions in the SaaS, technology and life sciences sectors, has selected Bob DeLean as its new Chairman, CEO & Managing Director. In his new role, DeLean will oversee the group’s investments and memberships, following the current Chairman & Managing Director James Goulka’s retirement at the end of this year. ATI leads the Arizona angel investing community with over 115 investments in the startup ecosystem. Read more >>
5 best nonprofits in Arizona, according to BestCompanies AZ
For some, volunteering is more than just a way to give back for an afternoon. Those who find fulfillment in helping others, improving the community, and working toward a greater cause may find that partnering with a top local nonprofit is a better way to serve. Nonprofit organizations strive for the greater good in different areas, such as the environment, religion, education, and health at local and international levels. Rather than distributing profits to stakeholders, a nonprofit will reinvest available funds back into its mission. For those interested in volunteering and giving back, investing time in a local nonprofit can be incredibly important. Read more >>
Digital Air Strike launches thought leadership training to give competitive edge to business clients
Digital Air Strike, the leading consumer engagement and customer experience technology company, is providing several unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for business leaders and entrepreneurs to receive a competitive edge to handle whatever comes their way in 2023. Digital Air Strike is excited to bring Limitless Minds Founder and CEO Harry Wilson to the leading automotive industry conference AUTOVATE on Dec. 1. Wilson will bring his Limitless Minds’ Elite Mental Conditioning Coaching experience as a keynote presenter at the event, which brings visionary investors together with progressive dealers, innovative vendor entrepreneurs and cutting-edge automakers from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Digital Air Strike is the presenting sponsor of the fifth annual AUTOVATE. The company is also planning its fifth Client Advisory Summit at Sir Richard Branson’s private estate and resort in March 2023. Read more >>
Sales Xceleration shares answers to 5 sales management questions
Small and medium-sized businesses are often unsure how to diagnose their sales results whether performance is poor or they need to scale. Sales leaders in these companies might see a few pain points, yet are unable to understand how some issues are connected. Asking the following questions will help put the pieces together and provide a fuller picture with which to make these key decisions. Read more >>
Tucson-based startup Phantom Space wins satellite mission orders from NASA
Tucson-based commercial rocket builder Phantom Space Corp. will be sending four NASA satellites into space as part of a program meant to help develop new launch vehicles. Phantom Space will send up NASA’s CubeSat satellites on the company’s two-stage Daytona rocket, with the initial space flights planned for 2024. Two of the CubeSats will be launched on the second Phantom flight and two more will be on the fourth, with both flights starting from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. Read more >>
BBB Pacific Southwest announces Greater Arizona’s 2022 Torch Awards for Ethics winners
Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has named five winning companies for their 2022 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics in Greater Arizona, sponsored by Desert Financial Credit Union. This distinguished award honors businesses that go above and beyond to operate with integrity and raise awareness about marketplace trust. These exemplary businesses have displayed an outstanding level of commitment to ethics and trust in four categories: character, culture, customers and community. Read more >>
ACA announces finalists for the 2022 Arizona Innovation Challenge
Arizona Commerce Authority recently announced 15 finalists have been selected for the 2022 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). The finalists will advance to the final round of the competition, after which judges will select up to 10 companies as AIC awardees for 2022. The AIC is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by helping early-stage ventures scale. 2021 AIC Finalists who were chosen as 2021 AIC Awardees include Bluetail, an online aircraft document, records and data platform, Navi Nurses, a concierge nurse provider, and VIVAHR, which provides hiring software for small businesses. Read more >>