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
Amanda Bruno
City of Tucson
Anna Darian
Arizona FORGE
Bruce Burgess
Tech Launch Arizona
Deseret Romero
Pima County Economic Development
Eric Smith
University of Arizona Center for Innovation
Francisca Villegas-Braker
YWCA Women's Business Center
Jim Jindrick
University of Arizona
John Dennis
Optics Valley
Kara Festa
Kara Diane Coaching and Consulting
Katina Koller
La Suprema Works + Events
Liz Pocock
Startup Tucson
Michael Peel
Local First
Peter Mantas
300 Mentors
Stephanie Bermúdez
Startup Unidos
Victor Gonzalez
Sahuarita
Amanda Holbert
Fierce Female, LLC.
Barbara Coffee
City of Tucson
Carol Stewart
Tech Parks Arizona
Doug Hockstad
University of Arizona
Felipe Garcia
Visit Tucson
Gina Catalano
Barrio Co
Joann MacMaster
Desert Angels
John Moffatt
Pima County Economic Development
Karla Morales
Arizona Tech Council
Kevin Burke
City of Tucson
Michael Guymon
Tucson Metro Chamber
Paul Melcher
Town of Oro Valley
Rick Yngve
Caterpillar Inc.
Ted Maxwell
Southern Arizona Leadership Council
Zach Yentzer
Tucson Young Professionals
Anita Bell
Arizona Center for Innovation
Brian Ellerman
Arizona FORGE
Danny Knee
Community Investment Corporation
Dre Thompson
Startup Tucson
Fletcher McCusker
University of Arizona Venture Capital
Ian Roark
Pima Community College
Julie Katsel
University of Arizona
Juan Padres
TuSimple
Kathy Prather
Pima JTED
Krista McGarvey
Arizona Commerce Authority
Michael Jansen
Town of Sahuarita
Patrick Cavanaugh
Pima County Economic Development
Shane Reiser
For the World
Tracy Bibeau
Tech Parks Arizona