TENWEST Announces Three-Year Vantage West Partnership and Taskrabbit Founder Leah Solivan as 2027 Keynote
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
TUCSON, Ariz. — TENWEST Festival will return to downtown Tucson March 30–April 2, 2027, with a new three-year title sponsorship from Vantage West Credit Union, Taskrabbit founder and investor Leah Solivan as keynote speaker, and expanded programming for founders, creatives and innovators.
Hosted by Startup Tucson, TENWEST brings together founders, creatives, leaders and community builders who are shaping their own paths and the future of their communities. TENWEST 2027 will celebrate those who know their business or creative pursuit is theirs to shape.
“I am beyond thrilled to welcome entrepreneurs, founders and innovators from across the Southwest back to Tucson for TENWEST 2027,” said Liz Pocock, CEO of Startup Tucson. “There is no single right path to building something meaningful. TENWEST is about bringing together people willing to put in the work, navigate the pivots and learn from one another along the way. With Vantage West making a three-year commitment to this work, we have an incredible opportunity to deepen what we’ve built and continue growing TENWEST’s impact.”
Vantage West Makes Three-Year Commitment to TENWEST
Vantage West Credit Union, one of Arizona’s largest credit unions, will serve as a title sponsor of TENWEST through 2029, building on its longstanding partnership with the festival and Startup Tucson.
The expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and economic opportunity in Arizona.
“"At Vantage West, we believe strong communities are built when people have the opportunity and support to pursue their goals.” said Sandra Sagehorn-Elliott, President and CEO at Vantage West Credit Union. “That's why we're proud to make a three-year commitment to TENWEST and Startup Tucson. Together, we're investing in the entrepreneurs, creators, innovators and community builders who are shaping Arizona's future, while creating more opportunities for connection, growth and long-term success."
TENWEST Builds on Record 2026 Festival
The partnership comes as TENWEST builds on its largest festival to date. In 2026, TENWEST welcomed more than 1,200 attendees, including more than 900 conference participants, a 25% year-over-year increase. The festival also saw a 43% increase in revenue, engaged 67 sponsors, partners and collaborators, and drew more than one-quarter of attendees from outside the region.
For 2027, TENWEST will offer a more streamlined and curated festival experience while bringing back favorites including the Mega Mixer, Founder Improv and IdeaFunding.
New and expanded programming will include:
A new Growth Summit for founders focused on scaling their ventures;
A reimagined TENWEST HQ, transforming the festival’s central gathering place into a continuously programmed community space with workshops, conversations, office hours, networking and hands-on experiences; and
An expanded IdeaFunding competition, with additional opportunities for prizes, feedback and founder support.
Taskrabbit Founder Leah Solivan to Keynote
TENWEST 2027 will welcome Leah Solivan, founder of Taskrabbit and General Partner at Fuel Capital, as its keynote speaker.
Solivan founded Taskrabbit in 2008, pioneering the on-demand marketplace model and scaling the company across 44 cities before its acquisition by IKEA. Today, she invests in early-stage companies through Fuel Capital, bringing the perspective of both a founder and investor to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
A recognized voice on entrepreneurship, the future of work and inclusive innovation, Solivan has been named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business” and has spoken on global stages including Davos and the Women in the World Summit.
Get Involved
TENWEST 2027 takes place March 30–April 2, 2027, in downtown Tucson.
All-Conference and Insider Passes go on sale this October, with additional programming and speaker announcements coming throughout the fall.
Visit TENWEST.com and sign up for the TENWEST newsletter for updates.
About TENWEST
TENWEST is the largest entrepreneurship and creativity festival in the Southwest. Fueled by Vantage West Credit Union and hosted by Startup Tucson, TENWEST calls forth the entrepreneur, creator and innovator within all of us so we can navigate our changing world. Over more than a decade, TENWEST has brought together tens of thousands of attendees to connect, learn and build alongside fellow founders, creators and innovators.
TENWEST 2027 takes place March 30–April 2 in downtown Tucson. Learn more at TENWEST.com and StartupTucson.com.
About Startup Tucson
Startup Tucson is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the regional economy through innovation and entrepreneurship. Startup Tucson supports hundreds of entrepreneurs year-round through programs, mentorship, access to capital, events and ecosystem-building initiatives designed to help Southern Arizona founders start and grow.
About Vantage West Credit Union
Striving to provide its members with the personalized service, knowledge and honesty they deserve in a financial partner, Vantage West is proud to be among the largest credit unions in Arizona. From a one-room Air Force barracks over 71 years ago to $3.3B in assets and serving nearly 220,000 members, Vantage West has been dedicated to earning and rewarding the loyalty of the people and communities they serve, so they can all thrive together. Learn more at www.VantageWest.org.
Media Contact
Liz Pocock, CEO
Startup Tucson
Mike Plunkett
GBB Creative
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