Turning kids into CodaKids – video

Video contribution Xavier Smith Instead of your child hanging out on the couch in front of the Xbox for hours on end managing their Mod, what if they could design their own Biomes and give Creepers superpowers? Scottsdale-based CodaKid, a dynamic computer programming and video game design organization that teaches children from 6 to 14 years … Read more

Twazer, a Craigslist for college students, launches at UA

There’s Craigslist, eBay and Amazon, and now there’s an e-commerce app that’s tailored specifically to the college student population. Peer-to-peer and geo-location marketplace Twazer has created a space where users are required to have an .edu login email in order to download the app and sell their stuff.  [youtube]https://youtu.be/IqkhrRqktAg[/youtube]   “Twazer is a mobile app … Read more

Top 25 semifinalists for Fall 2015 ACA Innovation Challenge announced

Over 131 applicants were considered before the judges narrowed it down to the top 25 semifinalists in the Fall 2015 Arizona Innovation Challenge. Led by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the Challenge is a bi-annual business plan competition for promising early-stage companies in high-growth industries where early-stage startups vie for a slice of the $1.5 … Read more

Arizona makes workhorses—not unicorns—and that’s a good thing

Guest Blog by Hamid Shojaee, founder Axosoft, Pure Chat & AZTB The Bay Area is overrun with horses—unicorns to be exact. And while I wish I was referring to the horned, majestic creatures of lore, I’m actually talking about privately-held startups that have $1 billion or higher valuations. Venture investor Aileen Lee coined the term … Read more

Gadgets for the Guru: Selfie edition

Capturing quick snaps has swiftly transitioned into a full-fledged industry in which tech companies are actively creating gadgets geared towards taking the ultimate selfie. Here are some trendy and innovative tech gadgets that can help any individual capture memorable moments like eating a hot dog or a churro.   Mobile Apps Frontback With the Frontback … Read more

Crowd engagement app wins jackpot at #ETY15

Arizona-based Crowd Mics won this year’s inaugural Event Technology of the Year in Las Vegas held by Event Manager Blog. Mobile app Crowd Mics turns smartphones into wireless microphones for live events by allowing the audience to talk into their phones and be heard over a sound system. This makes it possible for text commenting, … Read more

The Startup Journal: Getting pre-orders to attract investors

Video contribution by Xavier Smith For startups with capital intensive products, it’s one thing to have your product demoed, used on a trial basis and liked, but once it comes to converting the customer, many enthusiasts won’t pull out the checkbook. In this edition of The Startup Journal, founder Aqwastream, Mare Van Dyke, shares insight … Read more

CEO GoDaddy gets props from Grace Hopper '15 goers

Last year at the Anita Borg Institute Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) in Phoenix the “Male Allies” panel consisting of execs from Facebook, GoDaddy, Google and Intuit was less than well received. It got so bad that the audience started heckling the speakers and Twitter blew up from attendees criticizing how these men … Read more