<aside> <img src="https://startupaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo-favicon.png" alt="https://startupaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo-favicon.png" width="40px" /> “StartupAZ exists to provide an unfair advantage to the founders selected to join Founders Collective; with access to the tools, resources, and talent they need to build great companies. With this unique access comes the responsibility to execute.”

Brandon Clarke, Co-Founder of StartupAZ

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Quick links

Origins

StartupAZ was formed in 2015 by Mario Martinez II and Brandon Clarke as a component fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.  Seeded with $100,000 the organization set out to identify and support the next generation of Arizona tech entrepreneurs, helping them grow and give back. StartupAZ’s Founder’s Collective and the Generosity Pledge became the bedrock of the organization’s work building a community of early stage company-builders through its performance and generosity flywheel framework. Over the years our mission has been guided and inspired by several influential leaders, including: Tom Curzon, Christie Kerner, Ji Mi Choi, Jacky Alling, Hamid Shojaee, and Gregg Scoresby, to name a few.

StartupAZ is proud of have supported over 120 early-stage founders since 2015 - some of whom have gone on to be among the most successful, and generous, tech founders in the region.

<aside> <img src="https://startupaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo-favicon.png" alt="https://startupaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logo-favicon.png" width="40px" /> Six years ago, as I ventured into the uncertain terrain of building Qwick, a lifeline appeared — StartupAZ. This extraordinary organization has been the North Star for 112 founders like me, guiding us, connecting us, and pushing us to achieve the unthinkable.

Jamie Baxter, Co-Founder of Qwick

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The Experience

1. Founders Collective: StartupAZ’s signature program is designed to increase the performance and growth of the region’s highest potential startups. It’s where founders build their tribe and combine their talent, network, and resources to help each other achieve milestones and create a lasting impact in the community. Each year, we select a cohort of 8-10 founders to join the Collective. Those founders make a 12-month commitment to the program, kicked off with the annual StartupAZ Retreat held in September and followed by monthly accountability check-ins. The experience is enhanced by a deep bench of resources, including our network of Founder’s in Residence (FIR’s) who have built and scaled businesses and make themselves available as trusted guides to the cohorts.
   1. The generous support of our partners make it possible for us to provide scholarships to all founders in their first year with Founders Collective. Founders that demonstrate consistent growth signals may be invited to join an elevated experience in year two and beyond which comes with a nominal annual contribution.

Annual Retreat

This is our New Year - a time to celebrate current cohorts and welcome in new ones. The experience is a three day/two night gathering in Flagstaff, AZ in the early fall that brings members of the Founders Collective together with our leadership and parters to connect, lean in and learn with plenty of social connectivity and fun activities. Check out previous year’s retreats.

Key Leaders

As a member of a Founders Collective cohort, you now have a lifeline for your Growth, People and Product Leaders with an open invite for them to attend a facilitated quarterly meetup of their peers designed to empower them with the tools, resources and connectivity they need to deliver results.