A business community effort to drive the growth of technology companies in Arizona has led to the formation of invisionAZ, a new initiative designed to help foster a capital, regulatory, and public policy environment where tech startups and entrepreneurs can thrive.
The launch of invisionAZ is a direct result of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s inaugural Tech Summit, held last March in Phoenix. During that event, technology, capital, and entrepreneurial experts from Silicon Valley and Arizona shared their views on how Arizona can increase awareness of its attractiveness among leading-edge technology companies. The Tech Summit spurred important discussions among business and technology leaders throughout 2017, which led to the creation of invisionAZ.
“Arizona is consistently recognized as a top market for entrepreneurship and technology job growth,” said Governor Ducey. “I applaud the formation of invisionAZ, which will help increase that momentum and advance our state’s reputation as the best place to test, launch and scale new ideas.”
The new organization will focus on three pillars to accomplish its mission:
• Improving emerging tech firms’ access to capital and capital formation
• Strengthening areas of our technology ecosystem, such as mentoring entrepreneurs
• Enhancing Arizona’s public image as a place for innovation to thrive
“I am thrilled that our Tech Summit last year led to the creation of invisionAZ, which I believe will provide a major shot in the arm for innovation in Arizona,” Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. “I look forward to serving on the invisionAZ board of directors, and to this organization enhancing the state’s reputation as a destination for tech investment.”
“Arizona has the potential to be a prominent national tech investment hub. Gov. Ducey has forged deep and lasting relationships in Silicon Valley, which are poised to deliver tremendous job growth,” Thiel Capital Managing Director and invisionAZ founding member Jack Selby said. “Arizona’s already best-in-class business environment has positioned the state to take the next step in innovation. InvisionAZ is committed to being a catalyst for tech growth.”
InvisionAZ will host the second annual Tech Summit on Thursday, March 22. The event will focus on the hottest tech issue of the day, including biotech, cryptocurrency and capital formation. For more information, please visit invisionaz.org.
