Arizona’s life sciences ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth, driven by innovation, talent, and strategic investments. This Thursday, leading investors Chris Yoo, Bob DeLean, and James Goulka will share insights into what’s fueling their interest in the region’s MedTech sector—from cutting-edge startups to emerging healthcare technologies. Join us for a dynamic conversation on funding trends, investment criteria, and the unique opportunities that make Arizona a rising hub for life sciences. Whether you're an entrepreneur, researcher, or investor, this session will offer a valuable look at how capital is shaping the future of MedTech in the state. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJUwNl8zQmc

Small Business Boot Camp Session 361 Mastering P&L: Unlocking its Potential for Efficient Business

🥇 🥇 🥇 THREE YEARS IN A ROW: @businessfacilitiesmag selected Arizona for its Economic Development Award, recognizing the state’s unprecedented broadband expansion efforts. @GovHobbs #Economicdevelopment #Broadband #Arizona #Award #Broadbandexpansion https://www.instagram.com/p/DJUiJgZu4BB

Meet the Augment Community ⬇️ Entrepreneurs, operators, and doers, all in one place. Weekly events. Real connections. Lifelong support. If you want to go further, this is who you go with. Welcome to Augment. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJUHw9ZIcAl

This Thursday, investors, ecosystem leaders, and key resource providers will each deliver 1–2 minute lightning pitches spotlighting who they are, what they offer, and how they’re supporting innovation. You’ll also hear from a curated selection of international startups introducing their groundbreaking solutions. It’s the perfect way to discover new connections, opportunities, and collaborations—all in under an hour. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJS2oN5p0Ft

🔐 Cyber threats don’t wait. Neither should you. Join us for the 12th Annual Cybersecurity Summit on May 14! Presented in partnership with @azcommerce and ARIZONA CYBER THREAT RESPONSE ALLIANCE INC (ACTRA), this must-attend event brings together cyber security experts to tackle today’s AI-driven security challenges. 🔗 Link in bio to register now Many thanks to our additional event sponsors: @gcu, @dataprise, @10to1pr 1, & @uatedu #Cybersecurity #AZTechCouncil #DataProtection https://www.instagram.com/p/DJSb5XchgHy

What an exciting day at the Plug and Play Expo at #PhxStartupWeek! Plug and Play #accelerateAZ announced a new corporate partnership with Shamrock Foods. In addition, we were proud to celebrate the Venture Scale graduations of our 10 AIC awardee companies. #PlugandPlay #Arizona #Startups #Entrepreneurs #Phoenix #Smallbusiness #NationalSmallBusinessWeek #Graduation #ShamrockFoods https://www.instagram.com/p/DJSDd3Uv2Yf

“Arizona is in the business of growing business.” - @GovHobbs #Axon #Arizona #economicdevelopment https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKt7pXO6gX

📈 Last Night was Venture Cafe 150; Grow Like a Pro – Business Growth Strategies We explored how to break free from the owner/operator mindset, embraced smarter strategies for automation and delegation, and tapped into the tools and mindsets that power real growth. 🚀 Here Highlights from the Night: 🔹 1:1 Mentor Hours: Attendees had the rare opportunity to meet one-on-one with top-tier experts: Brian J. Burt shared legal strategies to future-proof your business. Brady Young shared HR insights to help founders build people-first companies. 🎯 Business Strategy 101 Workshop: Alexander McElfish showed entrepreneurs how to refine their business story, clarify their value propositions, and what operational levers drive success. 💼 Build the Team Before You Build the Dream: Bethany Graver shared how to shift from solo hustle to strategic hiring — including how to attract, onboard, and scale with the right talent. 🧠 The Future Has a Mentor (TED-style Talk): Forbes Shannon and Aaron Bare, founders of Baryons, challenged us to think beyond traditional mentorship. They showed how AI mentors aren’t replacing us — they’re here to raise us. The future of leadership development is personal, adaptive, and exponential. 🖼️ Student Art Grant Showcase: The night was also a celebration of creativity, as we honored student artists from ASU, NAU, and U of A who fused research and artistry in powerful ways. 📸 Professional Headshots: Attendees also go to the chance to update their Image with sleek new headshots — because your first impression deserves to be as bold as your vision. 🙌 Thank you to all who joined us to grow, connect, and level up. The future of business in Arizona is bright — and we’re just getting started. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKqt_3T0FP

Why Software Exits Matter

SIGNED! @GovHobbs signed into law SB 1543, legislation to support Axon's multi-billion expansion in #Scottsdale and the creation of hundreds of new jobs. Congratulations, Axon! #Axon #Arizona #EconomicDevelopment https://www.instagram.com/p/DJIOa5lOtSE

📅 Save the Date for AADM 2025! Join the Arizona Technology Council and the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Arizona for the 13th Annual Aerospace, Aviation, Defense and Manufacturing (AADM) Conference — returning to Tucson on July 11! 🛩️ Dive into Arizona’s dynamic aerospace and defense ecosystem ⚙️ Explore the latest in advanced manufacturing and innovation 🤝 Network with 225+ industry leaders, clients, and colleagues 📍 Tucson, Arizona 📆 July 11, 2025 Learn more: https://www.aztechcouncil.org/event/aadm-2025/ #AADM2025 #AZManufacturing #TucsonEvents https://www.instagram.com/p/DJHpOYOvDVV

We have a packed house for the SEMI Arizona Breakfast Forum! Thank you Joe Stockunas, Sandra Watson, @GovHobbs, and Mayor Kate Gallego for kicking us off! @semi_americas #SEMIAmericas #Arizona #Semiconductor #Event #Economicdevelopment https://www.instagram.com/p/DJFHMENJVQA

Join us tomorrow for an inspiring display of student work that brings knowledge to life through the arts. The PBC Arts Committee is proud to announce the winners of 2nd annual Student Arts Grant program geared toward students at Arizona’s three public research institutions, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona. This program will highlight the students who have used art to showcase their academic work or research. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJE7kHyJKcM

Discover Augment ⬇️ Not your typical business school. Real-world strategies. A thriving community. Weekly events with world-class operators. If you’re an entrepreneur, this is where you grow. Welcome to Augment. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJEtMOZo2Vg

This Thursday, Join Alexander McElfish as we dive deep into defining the core aspects of your business to help provide you with the critical tools needed to be successful. Attendees will learn how to tell a compelling story about your mission, target audience, unique value proposition, operational strategies, and success drivers. Join us to refine your business story and set yourself up for success. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJCSkjYJXnQ

If you want your business to grow, you can’t do it alone — but hiring can feel overwhelming without a clear strategy. Join Bethany Graver and learn how to attract the right people, create a seamless onboarding process, and develop training systems that turn new hires into high-performing contributors. Walk away with a proven framework to build your dream team — and free yourself up to lead. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJAQYY8zea6

What if your next mentor wasn’t human — but still knew you better than anyone else? Join us for a thought-provoking TED-style talk with Aaron Bare, the visionary behind Baryons, the world’s first AI-powered mentorship platform. In this groundbreaking session, Aaron Bare and Forbes Shannon will unveil how AI mentors will transform personal growth, leadership development, and the very way we work and live. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_y4LdJ2ef

We’re still buzzing from last week’s incredible Smart City + IoT Conference! 💡 A heartfelt THANK YOU to our brilliant speakers, generous sponsors and all who attended — your presence made this event unforgettable. Can’t wait to see the AZ tech community at our next event! Thank you to our sponsors: @azcommerce @arizonastateuniversity @rythmznetworks @fptsoftwarelive & @10to1pr #SmartCity #IoT #AZTechCouncil https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_tsK3pu2B

Want a chance to earn $1000 and spend the day playing golf at The Club at Starr Pass? ⛳️ Don’t delay — sign up NOW — for the Arizona Technology Council’s 15th Annual Tucson Golf Tournament on May 1, 2025. Compete for trophies, enjoy lunch, and win raffle prizes from Hacienda Del Sol, JW Marriott Starr Pass, and more! Single-player and foursome options are available. Details and registration: Link in Bio! 🔗 ✨ Sponsorships available! #AZTech #TechNetworking #ArizonaGolf #StarrPass https://www.instagram.com/p/DI7ZV03TBSo

Last night was Sarah's 100th Thursday Gathering at Venture Café Phoenix! From organizing the events, to helping with programming and setup. Venture Café Phoenix could not happen without her! https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4gLQlTv7l

💡 That’s a wrap on the Future of Biotech at Venture Café Phoenix! Last night, 186 Entrepreneurs and Innovators came together to explore Biotech innovation, AI, and MedTech—delivering powerful insights, fresh connections, and bold ideas. The highlights don’t do it justice, but we’ll try: 🤖 AI-First Mindset Now & Future: Forbes Shannon and Aaron Bare challenged founders and execs to adopt an AI-first mindset. From decision-making to workflow automation, it’s clear: smart leaders are leaning into AI as the ultimate growth partner. 👩‍💼 1:1 AI Business Mentorship: Attendees got hands-on guidance with Sherry Kotvis, MS, CAIO in one-on-one sessions—diving deep into practical AI tools like ChatGPT and streamlining their business operations in real time. 🛡️ Tariff-Proofing Your Business: Jason Hsieh brought the heat with tangible strategies to protect your eCommerce businesses from rising tariffs and global supply chain risks. Sellers walked away ready to cut costs and boost resilience heading into 2025. 💡 Harnessing Semiconductors in HealthTech: Dr. Nandini Tandon, Jami Mei, MPA, AZED Pro, Allison Bakovic, Doug Kiehldt, and Mark Dydyk explored how AI chips and advanced hardware are revolutionizing medical diagnostics, software, and supply chains—bringing science fiction one step closer to everyday reality. 💸 Fundraising Pearls of Wisdom: Insights from Startup Founders: Helen Goldstein moderated a panel of protégée founders from the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program including Mohammad Albanna, Anthony Dietz, and Jim Hauert. They shared hard-won lessons on raising capital—from first pitch to scale. Attendees left with actionable insights and renewed confidence in the fundraising journey. 🚀 Strategies for Commercializing Regulated Medtech Products: Kevin Parker, Shari O'Quinn, Rebecca Ewald and Tom Eisiminger, Jr. demystified the commercialization process—offering strategic tips on regulatory navigation, milestone planning, and avoiding common pitfalls on the path to market. Thank you to all the speakers, mentors, and community members who made this night unforgettable. See you next week for “Grow Like a Pro - Business Growth Strategies https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4Wn6eTVC8

Tech Talent + Startup World Cup AZ - $100K Investment

Congrats @South_32 for breaking ground on the Centro remote operations center in #Nogales! The Hermosa project represents a historic investment for Southern Arizona’s economy and key link in our nation’s critical mineral supply chain. @GovHobbs #SantaCruzCounty https://www.instagram.com/p/DI18twJpCsN

What a fantastic evening at our Tucson after5 Tech Mixer! 🌟 Huge thanks to @edmundoptics Optics for opening the doors to their impressive facility and hosting such a great event. From touring the advanced design and assembly space to making meaningful connections, it was a night to remember. 👏 AZTechCouncil #TechMixer #Networking #TucsonTech https://www.instagram.com/p/DI1knt5PQLz