Arizona is home to more entrepreneurs than you can shake a stick at.
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Image credit: Alan Stark, Flickr[/caption]
Not only has it produced and attracted many successful companies but it also enjoys a vibrant community of people who are committed to helping each other succeed. In that spirit, Startup Grind, powered by Google for Entrepreneurs, has now come to Phoenix.
The first live event in Phoenix, a behind-the-scenes interview with Gabriel Hyams - President of Pinnacle Transplant Technologies and Winner of Venture Madness 2014 - is Tuesday April 22nd at Gangplank in Chandler. Early purchasers can get tickets for $15 online which includes dinner.
Startup Grind is a rapidly growing global community dedicated to educate, inspire and connect entrepreneurs.
These monthly events fit well with AZ startups because they are events with a heart - simple fireside interviews with business superstars around the valley who are happy to share their stories. There’s nothing quite like hearing a VC explain why they make decisions the way they do or hearing a seemingly girl-next-door entrepreneur admit she had no idea how fundraising worked when she founded her company 6 years ago but recently got her 3rd round of funding to the tune of $40m. Their stories inspire and educate and the events are built to ensure lasting connections between people interested in helping each other move forward in a holistically helpful way.
This event series is a unique opportunity for Phoenix entrepreneurs; but it is only one of many resources available to quicken their path to success. Arizona is vibrant with startups – just look at the number of tech incubators and accelerator programs. Down south, Tucson has the UA Arizona Center for Innovation and up north you’ll find NAU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology: LaunchBox. In the Northwest Valley, Surprise boasts the AZTechCelerator. In the Phoenix East Valley, Mesa offers Launch Point plus Chandler is home to the Innovations Science and Technology Incubator and the new incubator Desarrolo. In Phoenix proper there’s the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation and Seed Spot which is one of only a handful of specifically social minded accelerators. Last, but certainly not least, we have Tempe’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Office at ASU which was recognized in the University Incubator Index (UBI) for 2013 as one of the top university incubators in the world.
Arizona entrepreneurs love to work together, too.
Co-working spaces are scattered all around the Phoenix valley. In downtown Phoenix you’ll find CO+HOOTS (one of the very first co-working spaces in town) and Coworking on 15th. Gangplank has locations in Avondale, Chandler and Tucson. Collaborative work spaces are not only a professional place to get work done and meet fellow entrepreneurs, they are often also a resource for free or low cost meeting rooms, event space, technology tools and access to many local leaders who donate their time to mentor entrepreneurs. There’s even a co-working space exclusively for game developers, Game CoLab, in Tempe and a space for mad scientists, artists and anyone creating or making something in Mesa: HeatSync Labs. Or, if you just want an gorgeous but comfy space to work with access to a private café and bar visit Mod in Central Phoenix. The spirit of growth is alive and well in Phoenix.
Connect with Startup Grind Phoenix to stay informed of monthly events.