The City of Scottsdale is expanding efforts in support of its small business and start-up community after being named one of the Top 10 locations to launch a startup.  Scottsdale economic development is working closely to assist local businesses and entrepreneurs grow and develop both locally and globally through a series of workshops, seminars and events.

It kicks off by proclaiming February 24th Scottsdale’s first ever “Made in Scottsdale Day.” The city will be partnering with Weebly, a company which recently chose Scottsdale for its expansion from San Francisco, to help any entrepreneur or small business owner make their own website or e-commerce store.

“Having a website is crucial to growing any business–big or tiny. It’s how new customers find you and often how return customers continue to purchase your product from anywhere in the world. We’re proud to be a part of Scottsdale’s community and want to help everyone celebrate the first ‘Made in Scottsdale Day’ by making their own website or digital storefront,” said Kim Chappell, a Weebly spokesperson.

Designed to help local businesses, merchants, makers and entrepreneurs create a beautiful website or online store, Weebly will host a series of workshops tailored for small business.

Topics range from how to get started, to building an online store, SEO and how to get found online. Success agents, experts and a professional photographer will be on-site for free headshots or product shots to help entrepreneurs get started.

“The entrepreneur and start-up community in Scottsdale is a major industry for the state. We’re proud to be leading the charge in growing an economy focused on small business and innovation. Creating an atmosphere conducive to this sector’s growth and prosperity is a win-win for the city, region and state,” said Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane.

Other events focused on small business development activity in Scottsdale include:

Eureka Loft Scottsdale-Small Business and Entrepreneurs

  • Jump start Your Business 5-week classes held at Eureka Loft Scottsdale on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. until noon

Economic Development Startup Series

  • “Connect the Tech”- Spring Speaker Series beginning in April held at Eureka Loft Scottsdale for eight weeks.

2016 Phoenix Startup Week Feb. 22-26th through greater Phoenix 

  • PHX Startup Week, by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, is a week-long, valley wide showcase and celebration of Arizona’s entrepreneur community.

2016 Venture Madness Presented by Invest Southwest and in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority at Talking Stick Resort March 2-4

  • Pits 64 of the most promising start-ups against one another in a bracket-style, head-to-head competition for their share of $100,000 in cash prizes.

1 Million Cups PHX- held every Wednesday at Deskhub 9-10 a.m.

  • 1 million cups is a free, weekly national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs that was developed by the Kauffman Foundation.

SkySong – The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center 

  • Start-up School-comprehensive and proven framework for developing ventures is a series of facilitated workshops wherein entrepreneurs learn what they need to do in order to develop a successful venture.
  • Stages 1-3 are online, self-paced and free. Stage 1 begins 1/28