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EVENTS

From flagship festivals to monthly meetups, Startup Tucson events are where ideas come alive and community thrives. Whether you’re a founder, mentor, investor, or simply curious, our events connect you to the people and opportunities shaping Southern Arizona’s innovation ecosystem.

Where Tucson’s Entrepreneurs Connect, Celebrate, and Grow

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Discovery Events are open to all—first-timers and serial founders, mentors and makers, supporters and students. They are where our ecosystem gathers, and where relationships that move ideas forward begin.

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Startup Tucson Founder’s Network receives discounted access to any paid Discovery Events.

Flagship Events

TENWEST Festival

 The largest entrepreneurship and creativity festival in the Southwest, TENWEST is fueled by HUSTL and hosted by Startup Tucson. Each spring, thousands gather in downtown Tucson to explore innovation, creativity, and community impact — calling forth the entrepreneur, creator, and innovator within them to navigate a changing world.

 

TENWEST returns March 24-29, 2026.

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IdeaFunding

Held within TENWEST Festival, IdeaFunding is Southern Arizona’s largest pitch competition and a launchpad for emerging startups. The event connects founders with mentors, investors, and resources — awarding over $50,000 annually to help promising ventures grow and scale.​​

Discovery Events

Startup SIPS

A relaxed monthly meetup where founders, creatives, and community members connect over coffee and can meet the Startup Tucson team. Startup SIPS often feature a Startup Tucson mentor, creating space for authentic conversation and collaboration.

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TENWEST Connects

TENWEST Connects brings the energy of the festival year-round with curated conversations, panels, and partnerships. These gatherings spark new ideas, build bridges across industries, and strengthen the Southwest’s entrepreneurial network.

Community Celebration

EntrepreNEW Year’s Party

Each January, Startup Tucson kicks off the year with a celebration of the founders, mentors, and partners who power our community. The EntrepreNEW Year’s Party is a night to connect, toast success, and set bold intentions for the year ahead.

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Join the party on January 9, 2026!

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Explore the Full Calendar

 Looking for the next workshop, networking opportunity, or pitch event? Our full calendar brings together everything happening across Startup Tucson and TENWEST so you never miss a chance to connect.

Stay Informed

Never miss an opportunity, event, or story from Tucson’s startup community. Join our newsletters to receive updates on upcoming events, programs, and regional ecosystem news.

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