activities · 5
what they do
direct service · 5
- Early-stage founder support Startup Acceleration & InvestmentHas supported over 120 early-stage tech entrepreneurs in Arizona since the organization's founding in 2015, providing seed funding and ongoing programmatic engagement to help grow their ventures.
- Early-stage founder support Startup Acceleration & InvestmentProvides funding and support to Arizona-based tech entrepreneurs, having backed over 120 early-stage founders since the organization's founding in 2015 with an initial $100,000 seed investment.
- Founders Collective accelerator program Startup Acceleration & InvestmentSelects an annual cohort of 8–10 early-stage tech founders in Arizona for a one-year program that includes a 3-day summer retreat and monthly accountability check-ins featuring venture updates, peer feedback, and themed business discussions.
- Founders Collective program Startup Acceleration & InvestmentRuns an annual cohort-based program for 8-10 early-stage tech founders in Arizona, providing structured support over a one-year commitment. The program begins with a 3-day summer retreat and includes monthly accountability check-ins featuring venture updates, peer feedback, and themed discussions on core business challenges.
- Founders Collective program Startup Acceleration & InvestmentRuns an annual cohort-based program selecting 8–10 early-stage tech founders in Arizona for a one-year commitment that includes a 3-day summer retreat and ongoing support. The program has supported over 120 founders since 2015.
strategies · 12
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.
- Culture of Generosity through Community Pledges community buildingBuilds a culture of generosity within the startup ecosystem by engaging founders, CEOs, and business leaders in The Generosity Pledge, encouraging them to share wisdom and support others as a driver of collective growth.
- Culture of Generosity via Community Pledge community buildingBuilds a self-sustaining culture of generosity in the startup ecosystem by encouraging founders and CEOs to sign The Generosity Pledge, reinforcing reciprocal support and long-term community health.
- Culture of Generosity via Community Pledge community buildingPromotes a self-reinforcing culture of generosity within the startup community by encouraging founders and CEOs to sign The Generosity Pledge, which strengthens network ties and encourages pay-it-forward behaviors.
- Flywheel Model for Startup Ecosystem Growth flywheel_modelUses a flywheel model as an operational framework to drive the growth of Arizona's startup ecosystem, where acts of generosity and shared success create self-reinforcing momentum that accelerates community-wide innovation and performance.
- Flywheel Model for Startup Ecosystem Growth flywheel_modelUses a flywheel model as an operational framework to drive the growth of Arizona's startup and innovation community by leveraging generosity and performance to build self-reinforcing momentum.
- Flywheel Model for Startup Ecosystem Growth flywheel_modelUses a flywheel model as an operational framework to drive the growth of Arizona's startup ecosystem, where acts of generosity and shared success build momentum that attracts more participants, resources, and impact over time.
- Peer-to-Peer Entrepreneurial Collaboration peer-to-peer supportFosters collaboration among high-potential startup founders to increase performance, achieve key milestones, and create community impact through shared experience and mutual support.
- Peer-to-Peer Entrepreneurial Collaboration peer-to-peer_supportFosters collaboration among early-stage founders to increase startup performance and growth by enabling entrepreneurs to share challenges, set mutual milestones, and support one another in a structured community setting.
- Peer-to-Peer Entrepreneurial Collaboration peer-to-peer_supportFosters collaboration among early-stage founders to increase startup performance and growth by enabling peer-to-peer support, shared milestone achievement, and collective community impact.
- Structured Mentorship Through Founders in Residence mentorshipDeploys experienced startup leaders as Founders in Residence to provide targeted mentorship, guidance, and accountability to emerging founders, helping them navigate leadership challenges and accelerate company growth.
- Structured Mentorship Through Founders in Residence mentorshipDeploys experienced startup leaders as Founders in Residence to provide targeted mentorship, guidance, and accountability to early-stage founders, helping them navigate leadership challenges and accelerate company growth.
- Structured Mentorship from Seasoned Leaders mentorshipDeploys Founders in Residence—experienced startup leaders—to provide targeted mentorship, guidance, and accountability to early-stage founders, helping them navigate leadership challenges and growth opportunities.
named programs · 2
what they call their work
Founders Collective
Selective year-long program for 8-10 high-potential founders annually, including a 3-day summer retreat, monthly accountability check-ins, and mentorship from Founders in Residence and industry experts.
Generosity Pledge
Initiative encouraging participating founders to give back to the startup community, reinforcing a culture of generosity and mutual support within Arizona’s innovation ecosystem.
relationships · 29
who they work with
- #yesphx Partner — Partner in Arizona's startup ecosystem, described as a unifying banner for the community.
- AZ TechCelerator Facility Partner — Partner that provides an incubation facility with mentors, training, affordable space, and resources for growing businesses.
- Arizona Commerce Authority Partner — Partner that is the state’s leading economic development organization, focused on recruiting, growing, and creating businesses in Arizona.
- Arizona Community Foundation Partner — Formed as a component fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.
- Arizona Small Business Association Partner — Partner whose mission is to foster and empower a thriving Arizona small business community by offering resources and advocacy.
- Arizona State University – E+I Edson Partner — Partner in the Arizona ecosystem, which offers a yearlong entrepreneurship experience for first-year students.
- Arizona Technology Council Partner — Partner established in 2002, which has grown to over 800 members and includes the Optics Valley Committee.
- Brad Selby Partner — Seasoned startup leader serving as a Founder in Residence.
- Brenda Schmidt Partner — Seasoned startup leader serving as a Founder in Residence.
- Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) Partner — Partner that provides guidance, training, and resources for new ventures and team building.
- Clate Mask Partner — Seasoned startup leader serving as a Founder in Residence.
- GCU’s Canyon Ventures Partner — Partner that operates a startup business accelerator on the Opportunity Zone of West Phoenix, providing education, mentorship, and connections.
- Galvanize Partner — Listed as a community partner.
- Girls in Tech Partner — Partner that is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the gender gap in tech, with over 60,000 members globally.
- Greater Phoenix Economic Council Partner — Partner focused on attracting and growing quality businesses and advocating for Greater Phoenix's competitiveness.
- Gregg Scoresby Partner — Seasoned startup leader serving as a Founder in Residence.
- Heidi Jannenga Partner — Seasoned startup leader serving as a Founder in Residence.
- Jack Selby Partner — Seasoned startup leader serving as a Founder in Residence.
- Local First Arizona Partner — Partner founded in 2003, committed to community and economic development through connecting people, local businesses, and communities.
- McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship Partner — Partner that is a university-based center for entrepreneurship, established in 1984.
- NAU Boundaryless Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center Partner — Partner that helps students, faculty, staff, and community partners become innovators and converts ingenuity into action and value.
- SEED SPOT Partner — Partner that is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs by providing access to resources, mentors, business fundamentals, and capital.
- Snell & Wilmer Partner — Listed as a community partner.
- Startup Tucson Partner — Partner founded in 2012 that has seen the innovation community grow with more funding, support organizations, accelerators, and incubators.
- State Forty Eight Foundation Partner — Partner that supports Arizona’s startup community and propels business growth through entrepreneurship programming, education, tools, resources, and grant funding.
- Tech Launch Arizona Partner — Partner that moves inventions from university research and technological innovation into the marketplace to create social and economic impact.
- University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) Partner — Partner that is a startup incubator network with locations across Southern Arizona, providing expertise, connections, incubation programs, and space to science and technology startups.
- University of Arizona, Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs (FORGE) Partner — Partner that is a unit of Research, Innovation, and Impact at the University of Arizona.
- Women Of MENA In Technology Partner — Partner that is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization established in Silicon Valley in 2015, focused on closing the diversity and gender gap in STEM.