Eric Smith Appointed to InBIA Board of Directors 

Congratulations to Eric Smith, UACI’s Executive Director for his appointment to a seat on the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) Board of Directors. Eric Smith will join a team of 15 who are global advocates to support the InBIA community which includes over 1,200 members across 30 nations. InBIA serves a growing network of entrepreneurship centers that enable entrepreneurs to transform their dreams into high-growth business ventures. Member portfolio companies include business incubators, accelerators, coworking spaces, maker spaces, university commercialization & entrepreneurship centers, small business development centers, and economic development organizations focused on building sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in their communities. This global nonprofit organization has supported entrepreneurial organizations for nearly 40 years by providing industry resources, education, events, and global programming to help members better serve the needs of their unique communities and regions.  

UACI Oro Valley Celebrates 1 Year!

The newest UA Center for Innovation, located in Oro Valley has officially been open for one year! As we celebrate the incubator’s first year, we know it could not have been possible without our community collaborators. We look forward to continuing the work that has been started at the new UACI and celebrating the many more successful years to come! 

Sponsored Launch Fueled by Perkins Coie is Accepting Applications

Through collaboration and sponsorship with Perkins Coie LLP, UACI is offering a sponsored year at the incubator for one deserving startup with a committed team that is working to solve a significant business or social challenge. The winning team will also receive a cash award of $15,000, which includes funding for a legal project budget. The total prize package is valued at $25,000. Applications for the Sponsored Launch Program are open from December 15, 2021, through January 19, 2022. 

Wells Fargo Grant

Wells Fargo recently awarded UACI $20,000 to support female-led startups with STEM students. This grant will be used to recruit interns to partner with startups in the STEM field. This provides startups with more bandwidth and will give students real-world work experience. This grant adds to our $50k grant with the Small Business Administration which will allow UACI to hire female interns to work with startups over the next two years.

Sipping on SBIR Success: Featuring Robert Norwood, Norcon Technologies, LLC. 

The Federal funding programs Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), provide over $2.2 billion to cutting-edge technologies developed by small businesses each year. Learn what it takes to secure this funding by speaking directly with experienced companies that have successfully navigated the complex process and received SBIR/STTR funds in this month's episode of Sipping on SBIR Success featuring Robert Norwood, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Norcon Technologies, LLC. 

Startup Spotlight:

Homer Farms Inc.

Homer Farms Inc. is a cleantech company that efficiently transfers water/energy/nutrients from organic waste to fresh produce with a sustainable environmental impact. Zhihao Chen, the founder, a chemistry instructor at Arizona State University, has created a new system for growing food.  

Meet the Founder: Melissa Kiguwa

Meet the founder of UACI startup, Obánj, Melissa Kiguwa. Inspired to wear jewelry sustainably, Obánj members borrow high-end, designer jewelry for $29/month. Members enjoy unlimited access to timeless classics from Dior, YSL, Hermes, Chanel and more. Kiguwa expressed that community is crucial when getting off the ground. She explained that, "UACI provides community and support through introductions and sound advice when needed."

Eric Smith Awarded Tucson 40 Under 40

We are proud to celebrate our team member Eric Smith, executive director of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation and community champion. He was named one of the Top 40 under 40 by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to the Tucson community.

Happy Holidays!

Thank you to all who have helped make 2021 a wonderful year filled with new collaborations, accomplishments and innovation. Before we head into 2022, the UACI team would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Join the team in celebrating the season with some of our favorite treats and sweets! This year, we are sharing our holiday recipes on social media for you to try and share with your friends and family. No matter which treats you make, we believe that sharing it with the important people in your life always makes it taste better!

ACA FAST Grant Applications

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is accepting applications for the Federal and State Technology (FAST) grant to support small businesses. The Small Business Administration’s FAST Partnership Program is designed to support programs that advance innovative, technology-driven small businesses. The program’s goal is to increase the number of competitive bids for federally-funded innovation and R&D programs. Act FAST the deadline is December 31. 

Sipping on SBIR Success

Looking for funding? The Federal funding programs Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), provide over $2.2 billion to cutting-edge technologies developed by small businesses each year. The program provides non-dilutive funding to foster the commercialization of technological innovation. 

Join us on January 20 from 9 am-10 am Arizona Time, to learn more about how to find the right topics for your technology. 

STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA and gain insight about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and meet our incredible startups!

LEARN MORE about our startup opportunities and mentorship programs below.

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is a key component of Tech Parks Arizona which brings together university, industry and community to advance technology innovation. UACI is the University of Arizona's startup incubator network with outposts across the Southern Arizona region with a mission to grow scalable startup ventures that fuel the Arizona ecosystem.