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Welcome to the Tucson Ecosystem Guide. Use the Filter by Type dropdown to browse the resources available for Founders in Southern Arizona. 

Startup Tucson

Startup Tucson

Startup Tucson is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing Southern Arizona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through education, mentorship, and community-building programs, Startup Tucson helps founders, innovators, and small businesses launch, grow, and thrive. By fostering collaboration and providing resources, it creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to turn ideas into successful ventures and contribute to the region’s economic and cultural vitality.

TENWEST Festival

TENWEST Festival

TENWEST is the largest entrepreneurship and creativity festival in the Southwest. TENWEST is all about helping you connect the dots to navigate a changing world through learning, connecting, and experiencing. TENWEST Returns March 30 to April 2, 2027.

IdeaFunding

IdeaFunding

IdeaFunding is Southern Arizona's largest pitch competition and entrepreneurial conference organized by Startup Tucson and UACI as a part of TENWEST.

University of Arizona Center for Innovation

University of Arizona Center for Innovation

The UA Center for Innovation serves scalable science & technology ventures to connect entrepreneurs with the people, places and programming they need to move ideas from concept to market. We serve the University of Arizona's faculty and researchers as well as community and global entrepreneurs.

ACA Innovation Challenge

ACA Innovation Challenge

The Arizona Innovation Challenge is Arizona's leading business plan competition — one of the largest in the country — is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by helping early-stage ventures scale.

Arizona Capital Source

Arizona Capital Source

Arizona Capital Source is the only Arizona-based development company offering the SBA 504 program, as well as the SBA Community Advantage program, and close ties to our sister Community Development Financial Institution.

Arizona Commerce Authority

Arizona Commerce Authority

The ACA works to advance the overall economy of Arizona by recruiting out-of-state companies, helping existing companies to grow, and partnering with entrepreneurs to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

Arizona Corporation Commission

Arizona Corporation Commission

Arizona Small Business Association

Arizona Small Business Association

ASBA is a membership organization dedicated to delivering entrepreneurs the resources required to prosper in an ever-changing marketplace.

Arizona Technology Council

Arizona Technology Council

The Arizona Technology Council works to connect and empower technology companies across the state of Arizona by hosting engaging events, advocating for pro-technology public policy and offering a variety of exclusive resources for our member companies.

Beacon Group

Beacon Group

Our diverse and innovative business solutions satisfy customer needs while providing access to a wide array of employment options for people with disabilities.

BioIndustry Organization of Southern Arizona (BioSa)

BioIndustry Organization of Southern Arizona (BioSa)

The Bioindustry Organization of Southern Arizona (BIOSA) supports the creation, operation, and expansion of life science enterprises and the commercialization of university research institute-based technologies in Southern Arizona.

Blax Friday

Blax Friday

Blax Friday, Spotlighting Local Black Owned Businesses. The website features by category all of the Black Owned businesses here in Tucson.

CATalyst Studios

CATalyst Studios

Located in the Main Library of the University of Arizona, CATalyst Studios connects people and technology in a space that welcomes everyone.

Canyon Angels

Canyon Angels

Canyon Angels is an non-profit angel investment group affiliated with Grand Canyon University focused on funding highly scalable startups.<

CATALYST Creative Collective

CATALYST Creative Collective

CATALYST Creative Collective is a first-of-its-kind innovative space where culture, collaboration, and community intersect. CATALYST combines over 14,000 square feet of flexible learning, performance, gathering, and maker spaces which highlight over 30 disciplines.

City of Tucson Small Business Program

City of Tucson Small Business Program

City of Tucson Small Business Program, is dedicated to assist any small business or entrepreneur within the city limits.<

Chicanos Por La Causa

Chicanos Por La Causa

Chicanos Por La Causa is a multifaceted direct services organization, focusing on underserved communities.

Community Foundation Campus

Community Foundation Campus

The CF Campus provides a platform for collaboration that allows the nonprofit community to share their resources and ideas more efficiently and effectively, thereby maximizing their impact in the community. CF Campus provides opportunities for nonprofits to convene, collaborate, and grow with administrative offices and event spaces.

Community Investment Corporation

Community Investment Corporation

Community Investment Corporation is a nonprofit economic development organization, assisting organizations access the capital they need to grow.

Cook Tucson

Cook Tucson

Tucson's community kitchen; culinary incubator offers licensed commercial kitchen space available to rent with by the hour.

Creative Mornings

Creative Mornings

CreativeMornings is the world’s largest face-to-face creative community.

Downtown Tucson Partnership

Downtown Tucson Partnership

DTP represents the interests of property owners and businesses in downtown Tucson, with the goal of making downtown the place people want to live, work, and play.

Flinn Foundation

Flinn Foundation

The Flinn Foundation is a privately endowed, philanthropic grantmaking organization looking to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations.

Golden Seeds

Golden Seeds

The Arizona Chapter of Golden Seeds is an angel investment group focused on supporting female entrepreneurs, both through investment and mentorship.

Growth Partners Arizona

Growth Partners Arizona

Growth Partners Arizona is mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that is committed to building an inclusive economy for local nonprofits and small businesses.

IP Clinic (UArizona College of Law)

IP Clinic (UArizona College of Law)

The Intellectual Property Clinic provides free legal counseling and services on IP matters to individuals, startups and small business having limited financial resources.

Joyful Jobs

Joyful Jobs

Joyful Jobs AZ is a Tucson-based recruiting agency dedicated to providing fast, flexible, and affordable talent acquisition services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The agency offers a range of services including direct hire placement, temporary staffing, and recruitment process outsourcing. Joyful Jobs AZ is committed to helping organizations build cohesive communities by connecting them with exceptional talent, all while maintaining transparent pricing and a personalized approach.

La Suprema

La Suprema

A coworking location that offers private offices and flex space to all professionals. Access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Local First Arizona

Local First Arizona

Local First Arizona is a business coalition that promotes a vibrant and sustainable Arizona economy by educating citizens about local business ownership, social equity, cultural diversity, environmental kinship, and collaboration.

McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship (UArizona)

McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship (UArizona)

An entrepreneurial program available to any undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Arizona to learn the principles of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Moonshot

Moonshot

Moonshot helps entrepreneurs build successful businesses and brands, ​we help cities looking to create entrepreneurship eco-systems.

Office of Economic Initiatives - City of Tucson

Office of Economic Initiatives - City of Tucson

The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives coordinates the City’s economic development programs for the purpose of attracting jobs and investment to the City of Tucson. It also offers local small business and entrepreneurial assistance and encourages workforce development in order to foster a long term sustainable and diverse local economy.

Optics Valley

Optics Valley

Optics Valley’s mission is to catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and the supporting business interests throughout Arizona.

Pima Community College

Pima Community College

Pima Community College is a two-year college serving the greater Tucson metropolitan area at six locations throughout Pima County.

Pima County Office of Economic Development

Pima County Office of Economic Development

CED is five departments working together to administer Federal, State and local funds, and oversee programs to improve economic development and tourism efforts in our region to develop a healthy economy.

Ranch House Media

Ranch House Media

Ranch House Media is a boutique media and event production agency in Tucson, AZ.

Pima JTED

Pima JTED

Pima JTED offers young people tuition-free Career and Technical Education programs online and in-person to gain professional certifications.

Rio Nuevo District

Rio Nuevo District

Rio Nuevo strategically invests in public and public/private projects towards a shared vision for a vibrant Tucson city center by leveraging downtown Tucson's unique competitive advantage as the region's urban and cultural center.

SAACA

SAACA

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place, and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences. Southern Arizona has long served as a hub for art and culture.

SEED Spot

SEED Spot

SEED SPOT is an organization deeply rooted in the community. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting all social entrepreneurs creating a product, service, or technology that improves lives or makes the world a better place.

Small Business Development Center

Small Business Development Center

SBDC helps launch, grow and sustain small businesses in Arizona by providing free tools, training and one-on-one business counseling.

Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC)

Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC)

SALC is a group of senior business leaders working collaboratively with others to improve our economy and quality of life. Our members have a “greater good gene" and know that when the region thrives, their business or organization prospers.

Southern Arizona SCORE

Southern Arizona SCORE

SCORE offers free business consulting and mentoring services to help you start or grow your business.

Spoke Coworking

Spoke Coworking

Spoke Coworking is a hybrid-first coworking space in East Tucson.

Startup Unidos

Startup Unidos

Startup Unidos is a community of binational believers. We span Southern Arizona and can be found on the ground, nurturing emerging companies, assisting in growing firms, building workforces of the future, and supporting partner organizations in reaching underserved pockets of the borderlands.

Tech Launch Arizona

Tech Launch Arizona

TLA ensures that technologies and innovations originating with UArizona researchers find meaningful application through patenting intellectual property and commercialization.

Tech Parks Arizona

Tech Parks Arizona

Tech Parks Arizona, premier research park, bringing global advantage to business innovators through services and technology commercialization.

The L Offices

The L Offices

The L Offices in Tucson offers flexible private offices, coworking desks, and team suites designed for professionals seeking productivity and community, blending work, wellness, and networking in one dynamic environment.

The Post Workspaces

The Post Workspaces

The Post offers Full-Time and Part-Time Private Offices, Coworking and Dedicated Desk memberships, Virtual Office Solutions, Meeting Rooms and Event Spaces as well as community and networking events for solo professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, freelancers, corporates and small business.

Town of Oro Valley

Town of Oro Valley

The Town of Oro Valley enjoys its reputation as a place where businesses startup, expand, and most importantly, SUCCEED.

Tucson Business Networking

Tucson Business Networking

Tucson Business Networking (TBN) is a professional organization dedicated to fostering connections among local businesses and professionals in the Tucson area. Through a range of events and resources, TBN aims to support business growth and community engagement.

Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber promotes the success and growth of Hispanic businesses in Southern Arizona through education, networking, and advocacy.

Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The Gaymber promotes the success and growth of LGBT and allied businesses in Southern Arizona through education, networking, and advocacy.

The Tucson Chamber

The Tucson Chamber

The Tucson Chamber is a member-based business advocacy and economic expansion organization that represents more than 1500 businesses in Southern Arizona.

Tucson Young Professionals

Tucson Young Professionals

Tucson Young Professionals is an organization that helps local young adults aged 21 to 45 through professional events, mid-career development and advocacy initiatives.

UA Venture Capital

UA Venture Capital

UA Venture Capital or UAVC, is a Tucson based investment fund designed specifically to help finance University of Arizona connected enterprises.

Visit Tucson

Visit Tucson

Visit Tucson drives economic development by connecting visitors with their ideal travel and meeting experiences in Tucson.

Xerocraft

Xerocraft

Xerocraft is a community-operated collaborative makerspace that provides access to a wide variety of tools, machinery, tech, and educational workshops.

YWCA Women’s Business Center

YWCA Women’s Business Center

The Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona (WBC) focuses on economic development by providing business training, 1-on-1 coaching, and technical assistance designed to accommodate the varied needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in Southern Arizona. Annually, we serve 1000 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.</p>
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<p class="font_7">The Women's Business Center is hosted by the YWCA of Southern Arizona. &nbsp;The WBC's programs and services are made possible through the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the ongoing partnership with the YWCA of Southern Arizona, foundations, and the City of Tucson Economic Development initiatives.

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