Even amidst the chaos and slowdowns of the pandemic, the University of Arizona saw an increase in innovation. Here’s a recent example: engineering researchers at UArizona are creating new tools for optogenetics, which shines light at specific neurons in the brain to excite or suppress activity. Optogenetics experiments help to understand how the brain works, … Read more
“What the hell am I going to do there?” That’s what Thinkzilla CEO Velma Trayham said to herself when she started thinking about moving to Phoenix. Trayham had heard from a friend that the Phoenix startup ecosystem was really starting to emphasize the importance of diversity in business. And, well, diversity and inclusion is Trayham’s … Read more
Conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion are happening everywhere — on social media, in our communities and in our businesses. These are important discussions to have, especially in Arizona, where there’s a clear lack of diversity in the tech ecosystem here. Thankfully, companies and people around the Valley are working to prioritize diversity, equity and … Read more
June was another big month for tech in Arizona — everything from partnerships and grants to business milestones and expansions. Arizona Technology Council praises AZ’s 2022 fiscal year budget proposal The Council’s president and CEO Steven G. Zylstra said the proposal includes funding to keep Arizona competitive in tech. The proposed budget includes many of … Read more
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
OnePointOne, a Silicon Valley-based agriculture technology startup, is expanding its corporate and vertical farming production facilities to Avondale, which will create more than 70 jobs. OnePointOne is building a technologically-advanced cultivation platform that uses innovations in automation, AI and plant science. Last year, the company launched Willo, a personalized vertical farming platform that’s designed to … Read more
Scottsdale-based Lessen, a marketplace platform that connects property owners to service professionals, announced it closed a $35 million Series A funding round. The Series A was led by Fifth Wall, the largest VC focused on technology for the global real estate industry. Khosla Ventures, General Catalyst and Navitas Capital, who invested in Lessen’s seed round, … Read more
ARIZONA@WORK and the Arizona Department of Economic Security are the first in Arizona to join a new national tech apprenticeship initiative, led by CompTIA and Maher & Maher. The partnership launched to expand and diversify the tech workforce in Arizona, and across the U.S. ARIZONA@WORK is working to build a skilled and qualified labor force … Read more
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
The Arizona tech community has experienced significant growth, thanks to companies moving and expanding here. Startups are another big reason for a more vibrant tech scene, as many entrepreneurs are purposely coming to Arizona to start their tech companies. The numbers support this growth. According to the recently revised U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 Business Dynamics … Read more