Arizona Center for Innovation

The Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) is a business incubator designed to meet the needs of developing technology companies, particularly in the areas of: aerospace, advanced composites and materials, information technology, environmental technology, life sciences and optics/photonics. AzCI provides a structured program of business development that includes access to first-class facilities plus coaching, networking and other services. Each company receives assistance in preparing a business plan, developing products and services, securing financing, and executing a marketing program.

The AzCI’s incubation model ensures that companies receive practical, hands-on assistance early in the innovation process, beginning in the research phase, and continuing through product development to commercialization. This structured approach helps companies to bridge the many gaps between discovery and commercialization, and to meet the primary goal of AzCI, which is to increase the likelihood of success for a start-up company, and achieve it in a shorter amount of time.

The Arizona Center for Innovation is located at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, which is also home to forty technology companies and business organizations and more than 7,000 employees. Park tenants include five fortune 500 companies, IBM, Raytheon, Canon USA, Citigroup and General Dynamics as well as several emerging high tech companies including NP Photonics, Modavox and DILAS Diode Laser. UA South, a branch campus of The University of Arizona, is also located at the Park. The Tech Park contributes nearly $2.5 billion annually to Pima County’s economy and is one of the region’s largest employment centers. The Tech Park is comprised of almost two million square feet of developed space located on 1,345 acres of land and has been recognized as one of the premier university research parks in North America.

How does AzCI support start-up companies?

AzCI provides a structured business development program. There are three Commercial Reality programs suited to fit the entrepreneur at any phase of their launch process. Commercial Reality supports the company through the business planning process, protecting their intellectual property, assembling the team, securing their seed funding, and developing a prototype. During this time the company is participating in the structured sessions, having access to business development resources and sharing office space at AzCI. Additionally, the client company receives individualized business development assistance by AzCI management staff. AzCI also has an extensive mentor program available for active support.

The Arizona Center for Innovation is currently seeking additional client companies. Click here to find out more about becoming a client.