Innovation hubs and co-working spaces are popping up all over the PHX East Valley. Whether you have an idea, but don’t know “next steps”, or need help growing your startup, here are seven of the top resources for PHX East Valley Entrepreneurs:
#1 FABRIC X Tempe
(Photo Credit: FABRIC)
FABRIC (Fashion and Business Resource Innovation Center) is turning Tempe into the next Fashion Hub and
has the PHX East Valley — Runway Ready.
What Fashion Entrepreneurs Need To Know
This is collaborative work space where you can transform your ideas into successful fashion brands as the City of Tempe, Label Horde, Arizona Fashion Source and the nonprofit, Arizona Apparel Foundation have all partnered to make Tempe and FABRIC a place where emerging fashion brands can grow to success in the fashion industry.
FABRIC offers various free (& paid for) classes, workshops and events.
And should you just be starting out with the scissors, sewing machines and cutting patterns, private lessons are also available. View Events Calendar
The Tools / Resources Provided For Success
- Photographers, models, and or screen printers are all available for hire to make fashion ideas come to life
- Professional grade sewing machines and office space is available for rent
- The three-story building includes a green room, a photo/video studio, sound studio, as well as a runway
- Fashion Scholarships are available – Apply Now
Get Started Today, The Fashion World & Tim Gunn Are Waiting…
Visit: 132 E 6th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281 | Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 5p.m.
More on FABRIC in the News via East Valley Tribune
#2 LaunchPoint X Mesa
(Photo Credit: City of Mesa)
LaunchPoint, is Mesa’s (the 38th Largest City in the U.S.) Technology Accelerator “Community” you should know about.
What You Need To Know
Launchpoint isn’t a co-working space exactly, although it shares the good aspects of co-working. And it isn’t an incubator exactly, because no company has to be part of a “cohort” or “graduate.” That is why it is referred to as more of a community.
In order to encourage growth of innovative tech startups and strengthen Mesa’s technology sector, the City of Mesa and Arizona State University (ASU) have partnered to provide a unique space where your ideas can become a reality.
So if you have an idea for an app, bio tech, green energy company or any innovative business idea for that matter, join the LaunchPoint community.
Here are a few companies already taking advantage:
- Avagate, LLC – Focus: Software Development
- CleanRouter, Inc. – Focus: Parental Controls Router — Top 16 in the Venture Madness Competition
- Prenda – Focus: Coding / Software Development — Top 32 in the Venture Madness Competition
- Urbix Resources, LLC – Focus: Research and Development — Winner of the Clean Tech Open Business Award given to the most investable business, ready for commercialization
- Pioneer Coaching – Focus: Employee Performance in the Tech Industry
- Scientific Host – Focus: Advanced Computing and Solutions
- Mesa Technology Group, LLC – Focus: Tech Consulting, SBIR/STTR
The Tools / Resources Provided For Success:
- Access to science and engineering labs, office space, classrooms and conference rooms (costs range from $100-$250 per month)
- Direct business assistance and guidance when needed
- Educational and mentorship opportunities with connectivity and access to the larger Greater Phoenix entrepreneurial and higher education communities
Join This Community Today, in The Heart of Downtown Mesa.
Visit 245 W 2nd St Mesa, AZ 85201
#3 Spark Spot X Gilbert
(Photo Credit: Town of Gilbert)
Gilbert was recently ranked one of America’s safest cities to build your startup and SPARK Spot is uniquely designed for Gilbert-based entrepreneurs.
What You Need To Know
The Town of Gilbert partners with the Southeast Regional Library (SERL) and Arizona State University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, to provide its local entrepreneurs the perfect spot to learn and grow with their own businesses.
You know what this is called?
And the Town of Gilbert is developing this talent within their own community by connecting with local entrepreneurs as well as junior high and high school students.
Yes, SPARK Spot is also in partnership with the Town’s SPARK App League, a mobile development competition for junior high and high school students sponsored by ASU Ira A Fulton Schools of Engineering and Google. Last year, more than 200 students competed in a coding competition and created their own innovative video game.
The Tools / Resources Provided For Success:
- Free Business programs; workshops, webinars, streaming videos, etc
- Free WiFi, tech bar and study rooms
- Access to the library database and workforce development resources as well as access town resources and business assistance
All PHX East Valley Entrepreneurs Are Encouraged To Take Advantage Of This Space In Gilbert & Ones Similar To It.
Visit the Southeast Regional Library at 775 North Greenfield Road Gilbert, AZ 85234
Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 9p.m., Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5p.m. or Sunday: 1p.m.- 5p.m.
Additional Co-Working Spaces in the #PHXEastValley That Are Similar to SPARK Spot Include: BRiC — Business Resource and Innovation Center located at the Tempe Public Library | Mesa THINKspot — located at the Mesa Public Library (Red Mountain Branch)
#4 Gangplank X Queen Creek & Chandler
(Photo Credit: Chris Gallegos, Gangplank)
Gangplank, dubbed as the future of collaboration, is found in multiple locations throughout the PHX East Valley.
What You Need To Know
With locations in Chandler and Queen Creek, Gangplank is a free co-working space where creatives can gather, share and learn alongside others.
The Tools / Resources Provided For Success:
- Queen Creek location features two 3D printers and Arduino starter kits for building interactive electronic devices
- Chandler location offers events such as a software reading group and guilt free book club
Fun Fact: Once a week, starting at 6 p.m., Gangplank hosts ‘Hacknight’, where locals can work on unique projects and connect with the creative community.
Get to Hackin’…
Visit Queen Creek Location: 22246 S Ellsworth Rd Queen Creek, AZ 85142 | Monday-Friday: 8am – 5pm
Visit Chandler Location: 250 S. Arizona Ave. #2 Chandler, AZ 85225 | Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm; Saturday: 10am – 3pm
#5 Innovations Incubator Programming X Chandler
City of Chandler Innovations Incubator Program is designed with entrepreneurs in mind. They’re original, interactive and led by subject matter experts.
What You Need To Know
Chandler has partnered with Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET), to offer local entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow their startups through innovative programs and services.
The purpose?
These programs and services establish an entrepreneurial culture in the community. Regardless of the stage a startup is in, Innovations provides the startup the support needed to reach next stage in its journey. NACET programs include: Business Incubation & Entrepreneurship Development, Self-Directed, and a library full of online webinars, workshops and live events.
The Tools / Resources Provided For Success
- Services include one-on-one business coaching, hands-on workshops, and a support network of mentors and technical advisors that can help guide startups throughout the entrepreneurial journey, from business idea to scaling for growth
Grow Your Startups Through Chandler’s Innovative Programs
#6 Innovative Thinkers X City of Apache Junction
(Photo Credit: City of Apache Junction)
What You Need To Know
Apache Junction is currently focusing on growing an entrepreneurship culture within the city. One of the various opportunities for Apache Junction Startups/ Entrepreneurs includes a partnership between ASU and Apache Junction’s Economic Development Department and the Apache Junction Public Library.
The Partnership is known as ASU Startup School
The partnership offers the ASU Startup School classes, to local entrepreneurs and residents who want to learn how to build their own companies.
Next Class Session is Expected to Begin in March, 2017
** PHX East Valley Borderline Bonus Feature **
#7 ASU SkySong
(Photo Credit: ASU SkySong)
ASU SkySong is located only a stone’s throw away from Tempe, in the City of Scottsdale.
The overall goal of ASU SkySong is to attract cutting-edge and innovative companies and their base of knowledge workers from around the world, integrating the resources of ASU with the opportunities of the private sector.
What You Need To Know
The 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development located on a 42-acre campus is a joint venture among ASU, City of Scottsdale, ASU Enterprise Partners and Plaza Companies. Featuring Class A commercial office space, ASU SkySong Incubator 1951 @ SkySong and the exceptional SkySong Apartments. It is home to both startups and Fortune 500 companies, and just about everything in between.
The space is a next step in ASU’s efforts to support the region’s entrepreneurial enterprise.
The Tools / Resources Provided For Success
- Services focus on business and organizational development, product and service innovation, and technology transfer to accelerate corporate interests while driving beneficial social change
- Offers community startups the opportunity to purchase tiered memberships with access to varying levels of space, technology, training and mentoring from ASU faculty and the university’s Entrepreneurship + Innovation experts
- Leased Space can include: Free WiFi, Conference Room Usage, Mail Collection, Unassigned/Assigned Space, Telephone Number/ Voicemail and more
Fun Fact: Some of the SkySong Center’s tenant companies include Canon, Groupon, Pearson Education and Ticketmaster.
Visit 1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 200 Scottsdale, AZ 85257 USA
Additional Incubators in PHX East Valley Include: ASU Chandler Innovation Center/Tech Shop | ASU Draper GSV Accelerator | Maricopa SBDC
