Three Innovative Startups Win Sponsored Launch into the University of Arizona Incubator Sponsored by Town of Sahuarita and Freeport-McMoRan
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is pleased to announce the winning startups of the UACI Sponsored Launch program fueled by the Town of Sahuarita and Freeport-McMoRan.
“The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation is pleased to partner with the Town of Sahuarita and UACI to support diverse businesses in the next evolution of the BizLaunch program,” said Jessica Brack, community development manager at Freeport-McMoRan’s Sierrita Operation. “The work is in direct alignment with our goal of supporting community resiliency through economic diversification and aligns with the priorities identified by both the Green Valley and Sahuarita communities.”
The following startups Auxilium Technology Group LLC, Sylvan Source and Desertdx, LLC., will receive fully sponsored admission into the UACI incubation program thanks to the generous financial support of Freeport-McMoRan and the Town of Sahuarita. Auxillium Technology Group LLC and Desertdx, LLC are both startups from Tech Launch Arizona.
Auxilium Technology Group LLC’s mission is to introduce proprietary technology (IP+know how) into an environmentally conscious solution that provides a cost-benefit for mining companies.
Sylvan Source delivers breakthrough water treatment and thermal energy management technologies with fundamental advantages for energy efficiency, capital costs, production costs, and process efficiencies.
Desertdx, LLC is an innovative provider of molecular diagnostic tests and services focused toward improved diagnosis, management and treatment of cancer patients.
The winning startups were selected because they were working on solutions for real-world problems and for their desire to make a significant difference in the local and global communities through innovation. The winning teams will begin their six-month residency at UACI starting August 3.
“For this year’s program, we focused on scalable startup companies,” said Victor Gonzalez, economic development director of Town of Sahuarita. “Sahuarita has incredible potential based on the emerging entrepreneurs we have here. The three winning startup teams really exemplified that potential through their innovative ideas, and we’re excited to see them grow.”
Access into UACI provides these startups with a structured incubation program including customized business support and the ability to work alongside UACI’s 27 other startups. UACI provides access to the people, programming and places needed to scale a business. Along with support, entrepreneurs have a direct line to UACI’s mentors and subject matter experts who guide them in turning their idea into a product. Other tools the incubation program provides are office and lab space, a prototyping center and assistance through a 27-point program roadmap, identifying a target market, product development, marketing resources and much more.
“We value the opportunity to collaborate with the Town of Sahuarita and Freeport-McMoRan.,” said Eric Smith, executive director of UACI. “The caliber of these winning startup teams speaks volumes to the ingenuity of this community. We’re very excited to bring our proven business support to these three startups and provide them with the resources needed to thrive.”
About the UA Center for Innovation
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is a startup incubator network with locations across the Southern Arizona region. The UACI mission is to grow scalable startup ventures that fuel the Arizona economy. Since its inception in 2003, the program has directly served over 120 companies and impacted thousands of entrepreneurs through providing access to people, programming, and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market. UACI is part of Tech Parks Arizona which brings together university, industry, and community creating “interactive ground” to advance technology innovation.
About the Town of Sahuarita
Incorporated in 1994, the Town of Sahuarita is the fifth youngest town in the State with a median age of 34 and a significant number of retirees. Residents are active, highly-educated, and enjoy the abundant outdoor opportunities afforded by the town’s natural surroundings.
About Freeport-McMoRan
Freeport-McMoRan is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company operates large, long-lived geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold, and molybdenum.
