MARCH 2021

UACI Chosen to Support Costa Rica Startup, TUNUK 

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation is excited to welcome TUNUK, a startup focused on developing software to track bus ridership and other data for bus operators and municipalities based in Costa Rica, to the startup family. The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) selected UACI to host TUNUK because of a proven track record in serving international startups and confirmed by our recent Soft Landings designation. The virtual immersion program is a learning experience for the Costa Rican founders.  UACI is connecting the founders with local leaders, transportation entities and key players that can provide insight into the transportation industry with a specific focus on to how business is done in the United States.

 

Innovative Startup Wins Grant from NSF

SGNT has received a $749,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant through the National Science Foundation (NSF).  SGNT’s invention is fundamental to ensuring the authenticity of products and could solve a trillion-dollar product counterfeiting problem. NSF SBIR Program, America’s Seed Fund, allow companies like SGNT to bring disruptive new ideas to market. Receiving this grant is an endorsement from the federal government confirming that SGNT's technology is of great value and will ultimately contribute to the betterment of society.

 

Sponsored Launch

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is pleased to announce the UACI Sponsored Launch Fueled by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce competition. The winning life science-based startup company will receive a sponsored year’s admission into UACI at Oro Valley- our newest incubator facility. The winning startup will have access to a plethora of resources and expert support that will take a startup to the next level of success thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Oro Valley Chamber. Application submissions are open and close on April 2. All submissions will be carefully reviewed, selected finalists with be interviewed, and the winning team will be announced in early May. 

 

Tech Parks Arizona Continues to Break Ground

Inside Tucson Business recently wrote an article sharing the developments of Tech Parks Arizona’s 2020 year. As part of the story, UACI also made 2020 a standout year. According to executive director Eric Smith, UACI more than doubled the number of startups they’ve served since the pandemic began, and currently serves 46 startups. 

 

Noontime Knowledge

Check out this Noontime Knowledge about how to de-risk product delivery in a regulated (or unregulated) environment. Sam Whitman is a UACI startup alum who shares her insight learned from experience in regulated drug and diagnostic product development. Her passion is sitting at the intersection of business and science and executing creative ways for great technology to find the market.

 

IdeaFunding Training by UACI 

UACI is hosting the training for IdeaFunding 2021 in collaboration with Startup Tucson. We have had the opportunity to work with over 40 teams who are pitching for the chance to win $25,000 in cash and prizes. Training occurs in four different industry verticals, with 15 community experts. These experts serve as judges who select the teams that will move on to the final competition. UACI is proud of its startups that were selected as semi-finalists - Paramium Technologies, US Air Tech, Lab Pair, TheraCea Pharma, Homer Farms, Obanj and Metfora. Watch the finalists present at IdeaFunding on April 15.

 

Startup Spotlight: Alio IT 

Alio IT is turning your ideas into reality by focusing talent and energy to ensure quality products for our clients and partners, let us be part of the magic! Alio IT has been a UACI startup since 2020.  

 
 
March 26


American-Made Solar Prize Round 4 Set! Pitch Showcase

Presented by CMU Scott Institute in partnership with NREL, support American-Made Solar Prize Challenge semifinalists in a pitch showcase! Watch live pitch presentations from 20 Round 4 Set! Prize semifinalist teams from across the country as they demonstrate their cutting-edge ideas in American solar innovation and manufacturing.

April 15


IdeaFunding 2021

UACI is proud to be a sponsor of Startup Tucson’s IDEAFUNDING on April 15, a day-long digital entrepreneurial experience including Southern Arizona's largest pitch competition, inspirational community Resiliency Awards, and powerful thought-leaders. In addition to a classic pitch competition, the day will include community prizes and awards for exceptional innovation, grit, creativity, and impact. Tune in all day, or pop in to check out each category. Join in for a live pitch competition and live judges panel at the end of the day for the grand finale. UACI will has handled all the pitch training and the winner of the competition will receive a sponsored year’s admission into our incubator.

April 15


From Make to User: How One OpSci Researcher Made it Happen


Tech Launch Arizona is hosting a conversation with University of Arizona Optical Sciences and Opthamalogy Professor Jim Schwiegerling who is the inventor of an intraocular trifocal lens for people with cataracts of myopia. Tech Lanch Arizona helped walk Dr. Schwiegerling through the commercialization process and helped protect, and license his invention to a global medical company, Alconand is now helping over 500,000 patients see better -- one of whom is Schwiegerling himself.

 

#ReturnStronger

We are stronger together. Please know that the University of Arizona Center for Innovation and Tech Parks Arizona stands with you.



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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.