activities · 17
what they do
direct service · 7
- Convening Innovation Summits and Events Industry Conference & Networking EventsHosts annual Innovation Summits, such as the State of Innovation Summit and Celebrating Innovation Summit, to bring together industry leaders, innovators, and community partners to showcase progress, discuss strategies, and advance technology and collaboration in Arizona's key sectors like MedTech, aerospace and defense, semiconductors, and AI.
- Hosts annual Innovation Summit and related events Industry Conference & Networking EventsConvenes industry leaders, innovators, and community partners through annual summits such as the State of Innovation Summit and Celebrating Innovation Summit, featuring live technology demonstrations, discussions on key sectors (MedTech, aerospace, semiconductors, AI), and recognition of innovation champions.
- Operating The Connective Initiative Smart Region & Digital Infrastructure ConveningOperates The Connective, a smart region collaborative that connects Greater Phoenix communities with research, pilot projects, and scalable solutions in areas such as connectivity, mobility, equity, and sustainability, by bringing together cities, industries, and entrepreneurs.
- Recognizing Innovation Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsPresents the Champions of Innovation Award to recognize individuals and technologies that are advancing Arizona's innovation economy.
- Showcasing Emerging InnovationsOrganizes hands-on technology demonstration stations to showcase emerging innovations in Arizona.
- Supporting Technology Development Projects Applied Research Center FundingProvides funding and support for specific technology development projects through its Applied Research Centers, including a walking-assist device, an AI-powered wearable for stress reduction, a wearable medical device for non-invasive monitoring, Sonic Lift-off technology for semiconductor re-use, blockchain-based IoT management systems, and high-efficiency tandem solar cells.
- Supports development of specific emerging technologies Applied Research Center FundingDirectly supports R&D projects including non-invasive chronic pain treatment, AI-powered wearable stress-reduction devices, non-invasive medical monitoring wearables, reusable semiconductor substrate technology, blockchain-based IoT systems, and high-efficiency tandem solar cells.
capacity building · 10
- Community Advocacy and Knowledge SharingConvenes community advocates to facilitate knowledge sharing, discuss strategies, and engage in participatory design processes aimed at shaping Arizona's future economy and fostering economic development.
- Convenes stakeholders for regional economic developmentFacilitates knowledge sharing, strategy development, and participatory design through initiatives like The Connective and broader convenings of community advocates and industry leaders to shape Arizona’s innovation economy.
- Generates high-tech jobs and economic return through innovation investmentsGenerates approximately 134 high-tech jobs annually through its Applied Research Centers and projects a $4–5 return in state and local tax revenues for every dollar of taxpayer investment in PEI-supported projects.
- Implements long-term innovation economy strategy Regional Economic Strategy DevelopmentAdvances a regional economic transformation vision for Greater Phoenix through strategic initiatives and partnerships aligned with the Brookings Institution's Velocity Report since 2016, aiming to build a globally competitive innovation economy.
- Operates applied research centers for technology commercialization Applied Research Center FundingRuns the WearTech Applied Research Center, Arizona Blockchain Applied Research Center (AZ BARC), and other sector-focused applied research initiatives that provide non-dilutive funding and entrepreneurial resources to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovations in biomedical, semiconductor, clean tech, and AI fields.
- Operates career development platform for in-demand tech jobs Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentRuns Pipeline AZ, a career development and exploration platform designed to expand access to high-demand technology and innovation sector careers for Arizona residents.
- Operating Applied Research Centers Applied Research Center FundingLaunches and operates industry-led applied research centers, such as the WearTech Applied Research Center and the Arizona Blockchain Applied Research Center (AZ BARC), to accelerate the development and commercialization of technology products in fields like biomedical, semiconductor-adjacent, climate/clean technology, and AI, by providing non-dilutive funding and entrepreneurial resources.
- Provides funding and resources to innovators and startups Applied Research Center FundingCombines public and private investment to support Arizona-based innovators, including direct funding and resource allocation to companies like Gravitrex to accelerate research and commercialization of new technologies.
- Strategic Initiatives for Economic Transformation Regional Economic Strategy DevelopmentImplements strategic initiatives and partnerships to advance the vision of transforming Greater Phoenix into a global innovation economy, as outlined in the Brookings Institution's Velocity Report.
- Workforce Development through Pipeline AZ Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentOperates Pipeline AZ, a career development and exploration platform designed to expand access to in-demand careers for residents across Arizona, contributing to workforce development in key technology sectors.
strategies · 11
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration for Economic Opportunity cross_sector_collaborationThe organization convenes leaders from business, education, and government to address regional economic challenges and advance economic opportunity. This cross-sector collaboration facilitates collective learning, problem-solving, and scalable innovation, particularly in emerging technology sectors.
- Cross-Sector and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Economic Development cross-sector_collaborationThe organization convenes cross-sector leaders from business, education, and government to address regional economic challenges, advance economic opportunity, and foster innovation. This includes promoting regional collaboration among cities, engaging stakeholders across key technology sectors, and facilitating partnerships between higher education, startups, and industrial leaders.
- Fostering Innovation Ecosystems through Public-Private Partnerships innovation_ecosystem_developmentThe organization accelerates the growth of Arizona's innovation ecosystem by supporting innovators in commercializing transformative ideas, implementing systems-level strategies, and leveraging public-private partnerships to bring innovations to market. This includes investing in community-building technology and R&D, and utilizing industry-led applied research centers with non-dilutive funding and entrepreneurial support.
- Fostering Innovation Ecosystems through Public-Private Partnerships innovation_ecosystem_developmentThe organization accelerates the growth of Arizona's innovation ecosystem by implementing systems-level strategies, supporting innovators in commercializing transformative ideas, and leveraging public-private partnerships to bring innovations from lab to market. This includes advancing the economy through industry-led applied research and developing unique collaborations between public and private sectors.
- Impact-Driven Innovation impact-driven_innovationThe organization focuses on achieving exponential societal impact as the primary goal of innovation, rather than solely focusing on exponential growth.
- Inclusive and Accessible Innovation Pathways inclusive_innovationThe organization believes that individuals become innovators when provided with accessible career and education pathways, and therefore focuses on creating inclusive opportunities for innovation. This approach aims to democratize innovation by ensuring access to pathways for individuals from any background.
- Inclusive and Democratized Innovation Pathways inclusive_innovationThe organization believes that innovation should be accessible to all, providing accessible career and education pathways to enable individuals from any background to become innovators. This approach focuses on creating inclusive opportunities and democratizing innovation.
- Lab-to-Market Commercialization through Applied Research and Industry-University Partnerships lab-to-market_commercializationThe organization advances Arizona's economy by supporting applied research, building industry-university partnerships, and facilitating the commercialization of emerging technologies to translate innovations from the lab to the market. This involves industry-led applied research, emerging product development, and collaborative R&D models.
- Open Innovation for Novel Technology Solutions open_innovation_modelThe organization engages technologists and researchers to develop novel technology solutions through open calls for innovation, fostering an open innovation model.
- Strategic Funding and Partnership Models for Commercialization strategic_funding_and_partnershipThe organization employs specific funding and partnership models to accelerate research and commercialization. This includes integrating public-private investment, restricting state grant funding to direct applied research costs, requiring cost-sharing with private-sector investment, and mandating collaborative partnerships between research institutions and Arizona-based technology entities.
- Strategic Public-Private Investment and Cost-Sharing for Commercialization public_private_investment_integrationThe organization advances economic innovation by integrating public-private investment in research, education, and workforce pathways in emerging technology sectors. This includes a cost-share funding model that requires dollar-for-dollar cost-sharing between state funds and private-sector investment to ensure committed commercialization pathways, and restricting state grant funding to direct applied research costs.
named programs · 7
what they call their work
2025 Call for Innovation
Initiative to identify and support emerging technology projects across Arizona’s advanced industries, focusing on scalable applied research and cross-sector collaboration
AZ Blockchain Applied Research Center (AZ BARC)
Focuses on blockchain innovations for global industry partners.
Call for Innovation
An initiative to solicit and support innovative projects.
Celebrating Innovation Summit
Annual event convening industry leaders, innovators, and community partners to explore advancements in MedTech, Aerospace & Defense, Chips & AI, Infrastructure, and Workforce development through panels, keynotes, and technology demonstrations
Champions of Innovation Award
Recognition program presented at the Innovation Summit to honor individuals and technologies shaping Arizona’s innovation economy, awarded by PEI with participation from industry and policy leaders
Innovation Summit
An annual event bringing together Arizona's industry voices, innovators, and community partners to discuss and showcase advancements in MedTech, Aerospace & Defense, Chips & AI, Infrastructure, and Workforce development.
WearTech Applied Research Center
Public-private partnership launched by PEI in 2019 to connect entrepreneurs and researchers in wearable health technology with companies developing next-generation biomedical innovations; supports project commercialization and go-to-market development
relationships · 59
who they work with
- APS Partner — Engages Arizona Public Service in discussions on energy infrastructure and innovation policy.
- ASU Knowledge Enterprise Partner — Partners with Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise to support corporate and economic development initiatives.
- AT&T Partner — Includes AT&T leadership in innovation panels focused on infrastructure and connectivity.
- AT&T Partner — Sponsored the PEI Celebrating Innovation Summit.
- Arizona Blockchain and Robotics Consortium Partner — Collaborates on blockchain-based IoT management systems using distributed ledger technology.
- Arizona Commerce Authority Government — Administers the state matching grant program in partnership with PEI and sets eligibility requirements for funding.
- Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Government — Collaborates with PEI, with its director participating in keynote addresses at the PEI summit.
- Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Government — Collaborates with state economic development leadership to align innovation initiatives with public policy.
- Arizona State Representative Jeff Weninger Government — Recognizes state legislative leadership in innovation through the Champions of Innovation Award.
- Arizona State University Partner — Collaborates on applied research initiatives and co-hosts innovation programming, including the State of Innovation Summit.
- Arizona State University Partner — Collaborates through the WearTech Applied Research Center on development of wearable technologies for health applications.
- Arizona State University Partner — Hosted the PEI Celebrating Innovation Summit at its Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center and collaborates through corporate engagement and strategic partnerships.
- Arizona State University Partner — Partner in the WearTech ecosystem through the Fulton Schools of Engineering and Medtech Ventures.
- Banner Health Partner — Collaborates with Banner Health on technology ventures and medical innovation initiatives.
- Banner Health Partner — Partner organization participating in PEI's innovation initiatives and summits.
- Beyond Silicon Partner — Supports development of 'HelioGen' Tandem Solar Cells for high-efficiency photovoltaics.
- Boeing Partner — Engages Boeing leadership in aerospace and defense innovation discussions.
- Boeing Partner — Partner organization participating in PEI's innovation initiatives and summits.
- Brookings Institution Partner — Partnered with PEI based on the blueprint from its Velocity Report to guide the transformation of Greater Phoenix into a global innovation economy.
- Brookings Metro Partner — Features Brookings Metro experts in summit keynotes on regional economic innovation.
- Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation Partner — Collaborates with PEI to support early-stage bioscience and medical device startups.
- City of Mesa Government — Partners with the City of Mesa to host the Innovation Summit at ASU’s MIX Center and The Studio in Mesa.
- City of Mesa Partner — Sponsored the PEI Celebrating Innovation Summit and collaborates as part of Greater Phoenix’s innovation ecosystem.
- City of Phoenix Government — Government partner in the WearTech ecosystem supporting high-tech innovation in the region.
- Crystal Sonic Partner — Includes Crystal Sonic leadership in innovation award discussions and technical panels.
- Crystal Sonic Partner — Supports development of Sonic Lift-off technology for semiconductor substrate re-use.
- Empire Southwest Partner — Sponsored the PEI Celebrating Innovation Summit.
- Freeport-McMoRan Inc. Partner — Engages Freeport-McMoRan in workforce development and talent acquisition discussions.
- GoX Labs Partner — Participates in scaling applied research for health and performance innovations.
- Gravitrex Partner — Supported the startup with funding and resources through the WearTech Applied Research Center.
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