Economic Impact of the UA Tech Park 

Over the past 18 months, Tech Launch Arizona has made great strides in developing the UA innovation ecosystem. The organization has brought people together from inside and outside the UA to promote the commercialization of UA research. Following its "Roadmap," the results are setting new records and creating impact.

Tech Parks Arizona is actively building technology relationships in Mexico. In support of this goal, we hosted Teresa de Leon, Director of the Natural Sciences Council for Mexico. During her visit, Ms. Leon was briefed on the Global Advantage program and the initiative to support advanced manufacturing in this region, Innovation Frontier Southwest.

Members of the Global Advantage (GA) team --Luis Felipe Seldner III of the Offshore Group and Naomi Weiner and Bruce Wright of Tech Parks Arizona-- have recently traveled to Los Angeles and met with consulates of Israel, Mexico, and Canada. The meeting focused on the efforts of Global Advantage to attract technology companies into the Arizona-Sonora region, especially in the industry sectors of security and defense, mining, agriculture and water, biotechnology, intelligent transportation and vehicles, and renewable energy. Following the trip to Los Angeles, Global Advantage hosted a visit to the UA Tech Park by Israel's Consul for Political Affairs, Yaki Lopez.

Ten bioscience high school students toured the UA Tech Park on February 5 to learn more about careers in the industry. This tour was organized by Pima County One-Stop as a part of a federal grant that supports the Youth Career Center. Students learn first-hand what is involved in starting companies in the bioscience field.

Over 80 guests attended the AZ Tech Council's After5 Networking Event hosted by the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) on February 17. Guests toured the innovation center, including the collaboration space, "plug-and-play" offices, video conference center, wet labs and a 3D printing lab. Startup companies also showcased their companies and the status of their product development. Applications are currently being accepted for the AzCI program.

Bruce Wright was commended for his term as an Honorary Commander in Davis-Monthan's Honorary Commanders Program for the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The program expands the 355th Fighter Wing commander's ability to foster relationships between local civic and business leaders and base personnel. Throughout Wright's term, Tech Parks Arizona was highly involved in Air Force activities such as social events, behind-the-scene tours and support for airmen with several squadron fundraisers. Tech Parks Arizona will continue the momentum and enhance the established relationship with Davis-Monthan to build more community engagement.

On Feb. 20-21, the UA Tech Park hosted the first of a national series of conferences addressing local effects of changing climate. The Institute on Science for Global Policy in cooperation with the Tucson Working Group organized a local conference, Living with Less Water, to engage the general community in discussing the effects of drought in Tucson and Southern Arizona, and ways to mitigate and adapt to it. The conference focused on linking scientifically credible information to the formulation and implementation of sound, effective local policies.

Universal BioMining, an AzCI client, has successfully made it into the "Sweet 16" of Venture Madness. Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, pits 64 of the most promising startups against one another in a bracket-style head-to-head competition. Universal BioMining is pitching their way through the bracket before a panel of judges and the public.

Sean Gundu is a University of Arizona junior majoring in information systems and fine arts. Originally from Zimbabwe, he now calls Phoenix home. Sean is producing videos and doing graphic work as part of his internship with Tech Parks Arizona. He is a technology consultant for students with disabilities and works part-time for University Information Technology Services (UITS). An aspiring comedian, Sean is often at Laff's on Thursday night for open mic night.