Arizona Technology Council Hosts Arizona's First Ever Conference Focused on Connecting State's Technology Startups with Local Corporations and Funding Ecosystem

PHOENIX, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Spearheaded by its popular Startup and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Arizona Technology Council today announced the 2013 StartupConnect AZ Conference, sponsored by IDS Technology Marketing. Arizona's first ever conference held to connect the state's corporations, technology startup and funding ecosystems is being held Wednesday, December 18, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the ASU Cronkite Building, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, 555 N. Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton will be on hand to officially kick-off the event. Online registration will open on Monday, October 28, 2013.

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"Arizona's technology ecosystem has been dramatically transforming over the last five years," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. "Venture capital, angel groups, startup incubators, university technology transfer programs, service providers, and government institutions are all coming together to build one of the most active technology communities in the country. The Council is proud to play a role in building the cohesiveness of the industry with education and networking opportunities such as StartupConnect AZ."

StartupConnect AZ will focus on the four key vertical markets growing fastest in Arizona:

• Education Technology and STEM
• Health Technology
• Clean and Green Technology
• eCommerce and SaaS

Centered on these markets, the conference will feature a day of unprecedented education and networking with Arizona's leaders in technology, entrepreneurship, business, education and public policy to discuss and debate a series of powerful topics proven critical to the continued growth of the state's economy.

"This conference is an ideal way to create interaction between Arizona's corporate leaders and the startups, innovators and technology hubs where innovation is happening," said Phoenix Councilman Daniel Valenzuela, who is participating as a moderator for the conference's panel public policy and STEM. "It's important that we all work together to create the type of jobs we need to continue to drive Arizona's economic activity and strengthen its ability to compete in a global economy." 

Sponsored by venture development firm Tallwave, Arizona entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to participate in a Pitch Contest at StartupConnect AZ. Application forms and complete instructions can be downloaded at http://www.startupconnectaz.com/ and must be completed by October 31, 2013. After semi-finalists and then finalists are selected, an audience vote will decide one winner that will take home the grand-prize of 100 percent of the event's registration funds, estimated to be up to $10,000 in cash. The more tickets sold, the greater the prize money.

StartupConnect AZ was an idea that stemmed from the Corporate Connect beta program of the Arizona Technology Council's Startup and Entrepreneurship Committee. The goal of Corporate Connect is to facilitate the connection the Tech Council's premiere corporate members and partners with relevant technology startups throughout the state.

Participation in Corporate Connect is free of charge for both parties, and is meant to catalyze engagement within the ecosystem.  American Express, Avnet, Trax Technologies, DPR Construction, eBay, Paypal, Infusionsoft, Insight, Intel, IO Datacenters, JP Morgan Chase, Parchment and SAP are all current corporate members in the program.

"As an entrepreneur who's seen my own startup flourish here in Arizona, I feel it's both a social and economic responsibility of our business community to give back to the entrepreneurial ecosystem that's so critical to our state's growth," said Scott Salkin, founder & CEO of IDS Technology Marketing and co-chair of the Arizona Technology Council's Startup and Entrepreneurship Committee. "With both Corporate Connect and StartupConnect AZ, I've had tremendous opportunities to not only see and meet so many of the great innovations and innovators throughout Arizona, but also to be a leading part of this initiative to bring our startup ecosystem closer together in a sustained effort that hopefully acts as a catalyst to the critical mass we need to be seen in the same light as places like Silicon Valley."

StartupConnect AZ has put together a collection of both packaged and la carte sponsorship opportunities that incorporate company branding and allow sponsors of all sizes to build a custom package that best meets their needs and budget. Details can be found on http://www.startupconnectaz.com/. Become a sponsor today by emailing [email protected].

About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona's premier trade association for science and technology companies.  Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry.  These interactions contribute to the Council's culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.

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SOURCE Arizona Technology Council