Six Local Founders Share their Stories
TUCSON, ARIZONA - August 22, 2019 -- Today, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema sat down with founders of six Tucson startups including Emagine Technology Solutions, SGNT, Regulonix, Radiance Therapeutics, the Insulin Initiative and BRINKmedia to learn more about their businesses and the innovation ecosystem in Southern Arizona. This roundtable was part of a national celebration of Congressional Startup Day, an annual event that provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect with lawmakers and communicate policy related issues facing the startup community.
Each founder introduced the Senator to their company and the local, national and global problems they are determined to solve ranging from access to quality healthcare and prescription drugs to counterfeiting and data-storage. Solutions being built locally by these founders include mobile ultrasound imaging software, non-opioid pain solutions, access to low-cost insulin and revolutionary anti-counterfeiting and data-storage techniques. After hearing from the founders, the Senator remarked, “I’m so excited about what you’re doing, it’s going to change America!”
Senator Sinema shared with the founders the work she has been doing to address issues facing startups in our region. The Senator has advocated for bi-partisian legislation to spur growth in startups such as introducing the Fostering Innovation Act which cuts red tape for science and technology companies and the HALO Act, making it easier for startups to access funding. A supporter of business, she has been awarded the Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise award each year she has served in Congress.
Today’s discussion was timely given that Tucson’s startup community has been making headlines in the past few weeks for CBRE’s recent study that found that not only has Tucson’s tech sector grown 90% in the past five years, but the study also indicates that Tucson is listed at the top of “The Next 25 Markets” where tech companies are seeking operational opportunities. The founders present at the event are many of the entrepreneurs making this momentum possible.
The event was organized by Startup Tucson, a local non-profit dedicated to transforming the region’s economy through entrepreneurship and innovation in partnership with Engine, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Center for American Entrepreneurship. Representatives from entrepreneurial advocacy organizations including SALC, Arizona Tech Council, and the University of Arizona Forge were also in attendance. Special thanks to the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce and their CEO, Amber Smith for hosting the event at their new downtown location.