Tucson
Innovation
Partnership

The Tucson Innovation Partnership is an informal group of individuals and organizations seeking to serve the entrepreneurship and innovation communities.

Purpose of TIP
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To help each other provide better services to our respective constituents within the startup community
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To coordinate activities among the member organizations at a strategic level, not at the individual case level
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To better represent the collective interests of entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses to the economic development community
How to Join
Membership is voluntary and open to anyone whose interests are aligned with TIP’s purpose and who finds value in participating in the monthly meetings. TIP membership will not be marketed publicly but members may invite guests to join.
For further inquiries please feel free to reach out to liz@startuptucson.com
Organizational Structure
No formal organization, however members should remain active attending and participating in the monthly meetings.
The group will meet monthly to update each other on relevant programs and initiatives and discuss issues relevant to the purpose of the group. Specific needs or initiatives aligned with TIP’s purpose may be brought to the group, and interested members can form a committee to address them beyond the general monthly meetings.
Meeting Structure
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Meets Second Wednesday of the Month from 3:00-4:00pm.
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Standing agenda: Intro to the purpose of TIP and of the meeting, Round robin updates (2-5 minutes depending on the number of attendees, keep it to what’s new and relevant), any specific topics of the month
Rules of Play:
As a participant you agree to:
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Come to the table with your first priority being how to better serve the needs of startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses
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Contribute positively to the discussion or not at all
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No criticism or opinions, only suggestions as to how to improve
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Stay on topic and limit lengthier discussions for follow-up meetings
Current Members
Allen Kinnison
Southern Arizona Leadership Council
Barbara Coffee
City of Tucson
Carol Stewart
Tech Parks Arizona
Donna Hover-Ojeda
Mighty Underdogs
Eric Smith
University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI)
Felipe Garcia
Visit Tucson
Greg Hitt
University of Arizona
Isabel Georgelos
YWCA Tucson, Women's Business Center
John Dennis
Optics Valley
John Sharp
McGuire Center for Enterpreneurship
Karen Burns
SBDC
Leah Langlais
Tech Launch Arizona
Michael Slania
Pima IDA
Rob Elias
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sue Oliver
PCC SBDC
Alex Magallanes
Prestamos CDFI
Brian Ellerman
University of Arizona FORGE
Casey Carrillo
University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI)
Doug Hockstad
Tech Launch Arizona
Erica Mitnik
Arizona FORGE
Fletcher McCusker
University of Arizona Venture Capital
Heath Vescovi-Chiordi
Pima County
Ian Roark
Pima Community College
Jim Jindrick
Education2Success.org LLC
Karla Morales
Arizona Tech Council
Kevin Burke
City of Tucson
Liz Pocock
Startup Tucson
Nicole Johnson
Tucson IDA
Rick Yngve
Varsol Ventures
Stephen Fleming
University of Arizona
Alma Peralta
City of Tucson
Bruce Burgess
Tech Launch Arizona
Danny Knee
Community Investment Corporation
Dre Thompson
Groundswell Capital / Tucson IDA
Erica Yngve
Sonoran Stitch Factory
Frank Velasquez Jr.
Tucson Metro Chamber
Holly McAnally
University of Arizona FORGE
Jacquelyne Vega
City of Tucson
Joann MacMaster
Desert Angels
Kathy Prather
Pima JTED
Lisa Schlegel
Pima Community College
Michael Guymon
Tucson Metro Chamber
Paul Melcher
Town of Oro Valley
Stephanie Bermúdez
Startup Unidos