What's Happening News & Events

Arizona Commerce Authority Announces Awardees For Fall 2025 Arizona Innovation Challenge

PHOENIX, AZ (August 27, 2025)  – The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced 10 Awardees have been selected for the Fall 2025 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). The Fall 2025 cohort includes some of the state’s most promising Software as a Service (SaaS)/AI startups. The 10 companies will be added to the Arizona Innovation Challenge portfolio and work with a successful startup mentor, known as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR), over a 12-week period to accelerate the startup's trajectory. The ACA received 67 initial applicants for the fall cohort. From that pool, judges selected 25 semifinalists, who pitched their startups head-to-head earlier in the month. Fifteen finalists advanced to the final round and participated in virtual interviews before judges selected the 10 awardees.

READ MORE about Arizona Commerce Authority Announces Awardees For Fall 2025 Arizona Innovation Challenge»

By The Numbers: Arizona Innovation Challenge

PHOENIX, AZ (August 18, 2025) – On July 29, the Arizona Commerce Authority announced it was accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Cohort of the Arizona Innovation Challenge, one of the nation’s largest business plan competitions. Through the competition,  startups compete head-to-head for seed funding and will work with venture capitalists and expert mentors to support the trajectory of their business. Within a few weeks, the ACA received 67 applications for the Fall 2025 cohort, which focuses on AI/SaaS startups, with judges accepting 24 companies to move on to the semifinalists round. Here’s a look at the Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC) program by the numbers: since 2011, 3,000 total applications received; 150 companies selected as awardees; and $6.1+ billion total portfolio value of awardee companies.

READ MORE about By The Numbers: Arizona Innovation Challenge»

Busch Group Expands U.S. Footprint With New Service Center In Tempe

TEMPE, AZ (August 14, 2025) – Busch Vacuum Solutions, part of the Busch Group, a global leader in vacuum and overpressure technology, is proud to announce the development of its newest U.S. facility, a nearly 60,000-square-foot Arizona Service Center located in Tempe. This strategic expansion underscores Busch’s continued investment in innovation, customer service, and regional growth across North America. The state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open in October 2025 and will bring many skilled jobs. The new Tempe facility will serve as a key regional hub specializing in the repair, service, and overhaul of vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, and overpressure equipment including turbo molecular pumps, leak detectors, valves and accessories etc. - supporting all major brands. 

READ MORE about Busch Group Expands U.S. Footprint With New Service Center In Tempe»