top of page
PROGRAMS
Programs to Power Your Entrepreneurial Journey
st_Flame_shape_119.png
st_Fuchsia_shape_06.png

No matter where you are in your journey—from your first idea to scaling your business—Startup Tucson offers programs designed to help you Learn, Build, Grow, and Discover.

Our clear, accessible pathway provides the tools, mentorship, and community you need to move forward with confidence.

The Startup Tucson Pipeline

Our Learn–Build–Grow–Discover model helps founders at every stage of development. Whether you’re exploring your first concept, preparing to launch, or scaling your business, our programs provide structure, expert guidance, and an authentic community to help you reach your goals.

LEARN
BUILD
GROW

LEARN

Explore & Evaluate

You are:

Curious and idea-stage — pre-launch, pre-sales, exploring your path as an entrepreneur.

​

Your goals:

Find inspiration, validate your idea, and assess your readiness to launch.

STARTUP 101

 Turn your idea into a viable business concept. This interactive workshop helps you validate your idea, define your customer, and understand what it takes to launch.

DISCOVERY EVENTS

Join casual networking and learning opportunities—like Startup SIPS—to meet other founders, hear new ideas, and find inspiration.

BUILD

Launch & Establish

You are:

Preparing to launch or in your first 1–2 years of business, with a defined product or service and early sales.

 

Your goals:

Formalize your operations, refine your offerings, and build early momentum.

BUILD

 A guided accelerator-style experience where you’ll refine your business model, test your offering, and set up systems for sustainable growth.

FOUNDER'S NETWORK

A curated community for active Tucson entrepreneurs ready to scale. Members gain access to mentorship, office hours, resources, and exclusive events.

BUILD TO GROW WORKSHOPS

 Focused sessions on critical business topics—marketing, operations, finances, and more—to help you strengthen and expand your venture at any stage.

GROW

Stabilizing & Strengthening

You are:

Operating with consistent revenue and ready to plan for sustainable growth.

 

Your goals:

Increase sales, streamline systems, and develop a growth strategy that scales.

GROW

 Designed for business owners who are making money and ready to grow smart. Get strategic guidance, tools, and expert mentorship to scale sustainably.

FOUNDER'S NETWORK

A curated community for active Tucson entrepreneurs ready to scale. Members gain access to mentorship, office hours, resources, and exclusive events.

ROOTED PROGRAM

Part of the Rooted Relative Fund, this relational lending program provides flexible loans designed to meet the needs of Indigenous-owned businesses.

BUILD TO GROW WORKSHOPS

 Focused sessions on critical business topics—marketing, operations, finances, and more—to help you strengthen and expand your venture at any stage.

Stabilizing & Strengthening

DISCOVER

 For anyone engaging with Tucson’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and staying inspired.

TENWEST

 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.

IDEAFUNDING

 Southern Arizona’s largest and longest-running pitch competition and startup showcase.
Entrepreneurs at every stage share their ideas, compete for prizes, and connect with investors, mentors, and community champions.

EVENT CALENDAR

 From casual networking to deep-dive learning, our events keep Tucson’s entrepreneurial community connected year-round.
Join us for Startup SIPS, TENWEST Connects, and other pop-up programs designed to inspire collaboration, mentorship, and growth.

COMMUNITY AND RESOURCES

 Explore the people, guides, and programs that make Tucson an incredible place to start and grow a business.

STAY INFORMED

 Subscribe to the Startup Tucson newsletter to hear about new opportunities, events, and program applications.

FIND YOUR NEXT STEP

Whether you’re taking your first class, joining a mentor community, or scaling your business to the next level, Startup Tucson is here to help you move forward.

bottom of page