Community
Greater Phoenix is an excellent home for fast-growing companies. As the only research university in metropolitan Phoenix, the 5th largest U.S. city, ASU is channeling new and growing enterprises directly into the community and impacting Arizona economic development.
Arizona State University is also unleashing entrepreneurial energy through facilitating community partnerships. Entrepreneurship at ASU is organized around some of the most innovative approaches to training, connecting and supporting entrepreneurs in the Phoenix community. ASU itself is a knowledge enterprise offering a highly active network of entrepreneurship support services which reach out to the community to respond to current economic and social challenges.
SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center has become one of the most important economic drivers for Arizona and the Southwest region because it unites the resources at ASU with the economic needs of surrounding communities. ASU has established this global hub of innovation and venture creation, assisting entrepreneurs and innovators with local, national and global market expansions. SkySong incubates promising entities to help them develop sustainable organizations.
Key partnerships have been established with more than 20 global startups and mid-sized companies from Mexico, Canada, China, Ireland, Germany, India, Japan, Turkey, Singapore and the U.K.
Innovation, creative risk taking and problem-solving occur at a faster and more efficient pace when entrepreneurs are connected to the right support services.
Need expert coaching and guidance for your venture?
ASU Technopolis provides rigorous programs that educate, coach and connect innovators and entrepreneurs. Technopolis creates creativity and success by bringing together business mentoring service providers, venture capitalists, investors, attorneys and accountant side-by-side with entrepreneurs across ASU and across the globe. ASU Technopolis experts take you through every stage of venture training, from proposal writing through the final launch.
Ed Koeneman, founded Kinetic Muscles Inc., which designs and manufactures devices that help stroke survivors regain function in paralyzed muscles.
"ASU is unleashing entrepreneurial energy through facilitating community partnerships."
- Ed Koeneman, founder
Kinetic Muscles and Columbia Scientific Sign Distribution Agreement
Looking for investment and funding opportunities?
The Arizona Technology Investor Forum (ATIF) is an investment community of accredited private equity investors, venture capitalists, corporate, and institutional investors. Forum members invest in high-quality, diverse investment opportunities. The community is strengthened through its involvement in Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. This focus provides a constant deal flow stream of early-stage technology ventures.
Need student help for your start-up?
Get great start-up help from ASU students or give back through mentorship through the Sun Devil Entrepreneurship Network (SDEN). SDEN connects local entrepreneurs with ASU students for internship and mentoring opportunities. Companies that host ASU entrepreneurial students for internships or other experiential projects will benefit from the connection to the cutting-edge knowledge being generated by Arizona State University's four campuses. For more information contact SDEN at SDENinfo@asu.edu.
Phoenix Innovation Study: ASU is not only an academic institution, but also a driver of economic development. To spur increased innovation in the Phoenix metropolitan area, we must first understand our community’s assets and how they can generate and foster innovation.
The Spirit of Enterprise Center (W. P. Carey School of Business) serves as a centralized data collection and dissemination resource to help small and medium-sized businesses continuously improve business practices. The Spirit of Enterprise Center helps small, emerging and family businesses grow and prosper, working with nearly 1,000 businesses each year; providing them guidance on how to start or grow an enterprise.
Advanced Technology Innovation Center encourages innovative technology-based collaboration between ASU's faculty and small- to medium-size enterprises. ATIC also facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and creates opportunities to compete for national/federal research dollars for applied research.
Technology Ventures Services Group provides real world experience and business strategy for students involved in the technology venturing process. Several different disciplines, including law, business, engineering and science, participate in patent investigation, business modeling, deal structuring and market assessment and research.
Arizona Technology Enterprises brings together ASU’s researchers and industry partners to transform scientific discoveries into marketable products and services.
IDeaLaboratory encourages the research and development of creative thinking and problem solving through direct engagement with small- and medium-sized design and technology ventures.