July roundup: Arizona tech stayed hot in the heat of the summer

July

July proved to be another big month for Arizona tech, with local companies raising millions, out-of-towners relocating to the Valley, and plenty of events and cohorts popping up to support startups. This month, we put a spotlight on diversity and talked to leaders from around Phoenix to give founders tips on how to diversify your … Read more

Scottsdale-based Limelight Networks acquires Layer0

Limelight Networks

Scottsdale startup Limelight Networks (Nasdaq: LLNW), a provider of edge cloud services, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Moov Corporation, which does business as Moovweb or Layer0.  The definitive agreement said Limelight will acquire Layer0 for about $32.5 million in cash and $22.5 million worth of common stock. Still, the deal is subject … Read more

Looking for a job in tech? Here’s a list of tech startups hiring this year

You no longer need to move to Silicon Valley to have a successful career in tech. Arizona’s tech ecosystem is growing fast. Arizona tech startups are announcing raises, major semiconductor and EV companies are expanding here and local capital is increasing. Arizona’s tech sector even continued its rapid growth during the pandemic, ranking eighth in … Read more

Trainual earns top ranking for small companies in AZCentral’s 2021 Top Workplaces

Top Workplaces

Trainual, the Scottsdale-based SaaS company that changes the way small businesses onboard and train new hires, was named a top workplace in Arizona by AZCentral. Trainual ranked no. 1 in the small company category, in part due to its commitment to build an exceptional workplace, culture and employee experience. Over the last year, the company … Read more

Social Leverage raises $99 million for fourth venture fund

social leverage

Social Leverage, a Scottsdale-based venture capital firm, raised $99 million for its fourth venture fund.  The VC group, made up of managing partners Howard Lindzon, Gary Benitt and Tom Peterson, are looking to invest in early-stage SaaS, fintech and consumer startups.  Peterson told the Phoenix Business Journal that the partners look for companies on the … Read more

Trainual raises $27M Series B to improve platform and increase global expansion

Top Workplaces

Trainual, a SaaS platform designed to help growing businesses standardize policies and processes, has closed a $27 million Series B round, bringing the company’s total funding to $33.75 million. The round was led by Altos Ventures, a major venture capital firm based out of Menlo Park, Calif. Trainual founder and CEO Chris Ronzio said in … Read more

22 of Arizona’s major tech developments in May

Arizona saw some big tech developments in May, from expansion, acquisitions and life-saving partnerships to raising millions for local and regional startups. Another possible TSMC expansion in Arizona Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest chipmaker, may expand even more in Arizona. Reuters reported in early May that sources familiar with TSMC’s expansion plans said … Read more

Invest Southwest expands Venture Madness competition to companies nationwide

Venture Madness

The 2021 Venture Madness event, Arizona’s longest-running VC conference and pitch competition, is now open for applications through June 3. The difference this year? The event is open to companies across the U.S. “Business growth in Arizona has propelled the state to become one of the best places in the country to start a company,” … Read more

Sonoran Founders Fund plans to raise $10 million to invest in local, regional startups

The Sonoran Founders Fund, led by CEO and co-founder Romi Dhillon and co-founders Dan Burns, Cathy Eckstein and Kevin Groman, plan to raise and invest $10 million into Southwest-region pre-seed and seed-stage startups in 2021. According to the fund’s website, the group looks to invest in the SaaS, marketplaces, AI, Fintech, Edtech and healthcare IT … Read more

Raising capital in Arizona? Here’s a list of venture capital firms to consider

Over the past two years, Arizona startups have received more venture capital than ever before. According to ClearData, Arizona is still trailing the major U.S. startup hubs by a fairly wide margin. And yet, the tech startup industry here is growing fast. Arizona appeals to both local founders and founders originally based out-of-state, thanks to … Read more