Communication platform Ryver launches public beta to help teams find their flow

After scrolling through multiple collaborative channels and reading through hundreds of emails, the endless time suck leaves little room for actual work. Ryver, a new cloud-based, team collaboration, communication platform launched its public beta to compete in the enterprise tech market and bring some sense of sanity to our overloaded inboxes. The company formerly known as Contatta, … Read more

Top 10 finalists revealed for Spring 2015 Arizona Innovation Challenge

It’s coming down to the wire for the Spring 2015 Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) Arizona Innovation Challenge. Who will win the $250,000 to build their business? Today, 10 finalists were announced, and software and science took the majority of spots as finalists.   Beacon Biomedical –  is a medical diagnostic device that provides easy, accurate and affordable blood … Read more

Smart Armor expands home and on-the-go product lines

Story Contribution: Thomas Hawthorne Knowing that your valuables are being stored safely and securely is a necessity for anyone. With Smart Armor, a new technology startup, the company aims to solve that issue with their new line of home and on-the-go products. CEO Justin Zastrow and COO Ira Hayes discuss how their products work using Bluetooth … Read more

New CrunchBase report shows female founders on the rise

Anyone that has been paying attention to the challenge women face in the tech industry knows there is a gap in the representation of female founders and engineers. While local CEOs such as Blake Irving, GoDaddy, are pushing for change by placing more females in C-suite positions and leading girls in tech efforts, there is … Read more

Tech companies flock to the Valley of the Sun

Arizona has proven itself to be at the forefront of technology innovation and out-of-state companies have taken notice. Numerous companies have recently expanded their operations and opened up offices in the Valley of the Sun because of our thriving technology ecosystem, low cost of living, and high quality of life. Here are the tech companies … Read more

Pure Chat closed $1.5M seed round, plans expansion to global markets

Pure Chat, a live support and sales software company, has raised $1.5 million dollars in a seed round to continue moving up the hockey stick and help small businesses around the world connect with their customers on-the-go. With their $250,000 winnings from the Arizona Commerce Authority Innovation Challenge, Pure Chat’s total funding to date is … Read more

Google acquires Athena Wireless Communications – interview with CEO Eduardo Tinoco

Google confirmed they have acquired telecommunications company Athena Wireless Communications based in Surprise, Arizona. Google declined to comment further on the terms of the deal. Athena Wireless is known for their affordable and compact digital radios that have the capability of performing at fiber-like speeds. Athena’s technology could essentially help bring high-speed Internet wirelessly to a … Read more

Austin-based OutboundEngine expands to Scottsdale bringing 60 jobs

Austin-based social media and content marketing platform, OutboundEngine, has expanded to Old Town Scottsdale bringing 60 new jobs over the next year. CEO of OutboundEngine Branndon Stewart said he chose Arizona and more specifically Scottsdale because, “Arizona has a friendly business climate and is an easy flight from our headquarters in Austin. As for Scottsdale … Read more

Boomtown on-demand tech support service expands to Phoenix

Video contribution Shane Rymer & Thomas Hawthorne Your server just went down, customers can’t access your website and all business stops – but it doesn’t have to. With one swipe on your smartphone, you can get connected with a tech specialist and, BOOM, you are up and running in no time. Boomtown an on-demand tech … Read more

Know when it's time to fire yourself – lessons learned from Matt Pittinsky, CEO Parchment

While startups and CEOs might be glamorized in TV shows and the media, the honest truth is that, “It often sucks to be an entrepreneur,” Matt Pittinsky, CEO Parchment said. When you own a business, you have to deal with competitors, raising money, putting out fires, hiring and firing people, try to have a work/life … Read more