Tech Connect Magazine Spring 2024 Edition: The IT + Software Issue

Arizona: Where innovators turn for what’s next.

Something big, bold and exciting is happening in the Grand Canyon state. Cutting-edge companies are launching, testing and scaling new technologies in Arizona. Our culture of innovation, highly skilled talent pool, lean regulatory environment, and affordable operating costs provide the perfect platform for business growth and success. Beyond being a place where you can achieve your professional goals, Arizona also provides a lifestyle that allows you to achieve your personal goals. With year-round sunshine, endless outdoor activities, and a positive outlook, we play as hard as we work. It’s this perfect balance that makes life better here.

THE IT + SOFTWARE ISSUE

SPRING 2024

PUBLISHERS

Publisher’s Letter

Path toward the future starts now

Hard at Work

Innovators bring a variety of software to life in Arizona

Drilling in the Dojo

Learning platform goes from pet project to global phenomenon

Matter of Fact

Researcher to use AI for testing new materials so engineers don’t have to

Oceans of Opportunities

Data streams lead to improved water resource management

Skills for a New World

Professor trains Indigenous teachers in coding education 01 02 03 05 09 11 10 13 14

Excellence in Action UAT tops computer science education in Arizona

Foundation for Success Standing out in the highly competitive IT and software market

Busting the Myths

Phoenix metro study clears the air about valley fever risks

Nationwide Call for Action

Medical director seeks reduced radiation exposure in cardiac procedures A New Wave

Arizona Innovation Challenge awardees profiled 07 15

Sandra Watson

Steven G. Zylstra

EDITOR

Don Rodriguez

EXECUTIVE

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Alyssa Tufts

MAGAZINE DESIGNED BY:

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maddie Santiago

EMAIL

techconnect@aztechcouncil.org

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View more of TechConnect: aztechcouncil.org/techconnect

TechConnect is published by the Arizona Technology Council, 2800 N. Central Ave. #1530, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Entire contents copyright 2023, Arizona Technology Council. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Products named in these page pages are trade names or trademarks of their respective companies. Publication of TechConnect is supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

Publisher’s Letter

PATH TOWARD THE FUTURE STARTS NOW

From time to time we all likely get that critical question from someone seeking our advice:

What’s the right career path?

Before launching into an inventory of needed skill sets, it might be better to start by considering that person’s qualities. That is, what’s the right fit?

Using one group critical to Arizona’s technology community as an example, those shared traits are team player, good at problem solving and time management, positive attitude, ability to learn, creativity and attention to detail.

These are the qualities of a good software developer. And who would want to do that, you might ask? Plenty in Arizona.

Consider that in the last quarter of 2023 there were more than 42,950 software developers in our state. That was nearly 58% more than the developers counted here in 2018!

This group topped the tech industry occupation list in the Arizona Technology Council’s Q4 2023 Arizona Technology Industry Impact Report. The report is compiled quarterly by Lightcast, which creates web-based, data-reporting solutions designed to help cities, industries and planners make critical decisions.

And what kind of money do software developers earn?

In 2023, the median annual salary in Arizona was a little more than $109,400.

Speaking of software, there was another related group whose ranks also had swelled. They are software quality assurance

Steven G. Zylstra is president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute.

analysts and testers—the people who design and execute systems to check for problems—whose head count increased more than 76% between 2018 and 2023 to more than 3,560 workers.

Since this is TechConnect’s IT and Software Issue, you might be wondering about the IT side when it comes to employment. The number of computer user support specialists came in at No. 2 on the occupation list at just under 24,700 workers, which was an increase of more than 27% since 2018.

For computer and information systems managers, their ranks were approaching 13,500—a jump of just under 58% since 2018! And the median annual pay in 2023 was nearly $149,600.

Of course, these employees and others like them didn’t just walk into the jobs based on their personal qualities alone. Training was needed. Fortunately, Arizona’s talent base has become more homegrown as the years pass. For proof, I invite you to read these pages to see what our schools are doing, as well as some of the products already being created by a skilled workforce.

And if you would like to get a closer look at the technology employment situation and gain other insights, you can find the latest Industry Impact Report here

All of this information should help when someone asks you to help point them toward their future.

HARD AT WORK

Innovators bring a variety of software to life in Arizona

In the world of software, big names often fill our digital landscape. But closer to home, there are a number of companies making their own mark in sectors ranging from real estate to tourism.

Here is just a sample of Arizona companies, their bases and their products:

EscrowTab (Tempe)

The productivity tool lets title, settlement and lender professionals streamline their operations and realize efficiencies by applying in-person electronic notarization and eSignature services to the closing process. The four components of EscrowTab that help implement electronic closings are AutoTag, eClosing, eNotes and eVault.

GrinGO (Phoenix)

The mobile platform is a digital concierge for Mexico travel services and safety resources with features that include data and travel history features such as health records and hotel reservations. A recent update for the app is GO Xchange, a foreign currency exchange feature for users who want to transfer their dollars to pesos for family, friends or vendors.

Non Linear Control Strategies (Tucson)

The company is creator of SimuLase™, a microscopic physicsbased software tool that lets users from laser designers and materials growers to educators take advantage of semiconductor epitaxy design and optimization that are key to semiconductor laser modeling. Epitaxy refers to the growth on a crystalline substrate of a crystalline substance that mimics the orientation of the substrate.

Paradox (Scottsdale)

The conversational software automates some of the routine tasks related to employee recruitment with its assistant named Olivia, which handles such candidate details as

screening and scheduling through a simple chat while artificial intelligence is at work behind the scenes to comb through real-time text exchanges.

Pravici (Chandler)

The Pravici RnR (Recognition and Reward) toolkit was created to offer an end-to-end reward experience to employees, colleagues and customers. For the workplace, that means peers can recognize one another with such items as electronic gift cards or even assets that have been tokenized via a blockchain.

Sinatra (Scottsdale)

Insurance underwriting for the hospitality sector becomes less stodgy with this all-in-one app that features the assistant DeLo. Training modules feature expert-led sessions and interactive tools to help users streamline processes for renewals, audits, inspections and more while ultimately keeping safety in mind for staff and their guests.

Ubiquia (Phoenix)

The company focus is development of software for warehouses and mail centers. Products include Zenventory, a warehouse management product designed for eCommerce businesses and third-party logistics companies; SqBx, an online and mobile application for chain of custody, process tracking and proof of delivery; and Vizabo, an entry-level receiving app for smaller operations.

WareActiv (Tolleson)

Also designed with warehouses in mind, this all-in-one software solution features most of the capabilities of warehouse management systems, including tracking the course of inventory items picked, packed and shipped. That mean users can automate traceability, enhance security and ensure compliance.

WebPT (Phoenix)

This has become the leading rehab therapy platform for practice experience management through end-to-end solutions for the rehab therapy business cycle, including the tools and knowledge needed to maximize performance, revenue and patient outcomes.

DRILLING IN THE DOJO

BY KELLY DEVOS

Learning platform goes from pet project to global phenomenon

Tales of massive data breaches at companies like Bank of America, American Family Insurance and T-Mobile dominate the national news. The Internet Crime Report warns of alarming growth in cybercrime, with official complaints increasing by more than 300% each year and financial losses set to exceed $10 billion annually.

Meanwhile, there are an estimated 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide, around 750,000 of which are in the U.S. Dangerous hackers are stealing our data and our dollars.

Yan Shoshitaishvili has come to stop them.

Shoshitaishvili, an assistant professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI) at Arizona State University, plans to fill the jobs pipeline with a well-qualified, dedicated cybersecurity workforce that can beat the hackers at their game because these pros have learned to play that game and win.

With his project, pwn.college—an innovative combination of an educational curriculum, a competitive practice environment and a set of communication tools to help students learn collaboratively—Shoshitaishvili has developed a system to train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

And the world is taking notice.

Today, pwn.college is used in 145 countries and is on the path to becoming the gold standard for cybersecurity training. The idea was inspired by Shoshitaishvili’s own experiences as a student where he developed a love for participating in “capture the flag” hacking competitions. In real life, capture the flag is an outdoor game where two teams compete to be the first to retrieve a flag or marker from the opposing team’s territory or designated base. A similar activity can be played in a computing environment in which a software engineer hides a cryptographic token—typically a short line of code—in part of a system that is supposed to be secure. To win the game, the hacker must identify security vulnerabilities, bypass them and find the hidden line of code.

Yan Shoshitaishvili has created pwn.college, which is becoming the definitive global cybersecurity training platform.

Erika Gronek/ASU

“The awesome thing about teaching from this offensive perspective is that if a student can hack a certain program, they know that specific attack,” Shoshitaishvili says. “It becomes a lot easier to design a defense that blocks the attack.”

Many organizations, like DEF CON, hold competitive events and conferences a few times each year. When Shoshitaishvili began to design his own teaching curriculum, he knew that would never be enough.

Because fighting the rise in cybercrime would require a new approach, Shoshitaishvili turned to colleague Adam Doupé to discuss what the future of cybersecurity training might look like.

“I said something like ‘Why don’t we teach cybersecurity like we do sports?’ When practicing for a sport, you drill the basics over and over so that they become second nature,”

Doupé says.

The pair settled on the concept of an online dojo and put a team together to put the idea to work on a website.

The pwn.college site was initially designed to work with the inperson curriculum of live ASU classes. Shoshitaishvili converted his cybersecurity lesson plans into a series of modules that students could work through in tandem with class instruction. Each consists of a variety of resources including tutorials and recorded introductions.

To finish a module, a student must complete a series of capturethe-flag exercises. The results are displayed on a leaderboard. Like in a real dojo, each time students complete a module they can earn belts. Shoshitaishvili held belting ceremonies throughout each semester to reward students for their progress.

Everything was going great.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

With much of the world in lockdown, Shoshitaishvili was forced to consider how to get vital instruction to students stuck at home.

The pwn.college team decided to stream lectures on Twitch and build an online community on Discord, two platforms already popular with hackers due to their connection to electronic gaming. Even after the return to in-person learning, Shoshitaishvili saw great value in maintaining the online communities. He believes that having different learning modalities is a key part of the success of his project.

“There is an interesting phenomenon where there are people who will never ask a question in class. They’re terrified of it,”

he says. “But they’ll ask on Twitch. They will share code on Discord. These tools enable a lot of people to participate.”

The final piece of the puzzle was the development of SENSAI, a personalized tutor powered by artificial intelligence that develops insights from the dojo platform and can help students progress when they need help. “Maybe it’s the middle of the night and a student gets stuck,” Shoshitaishvili says. “Now, users can ask SENSAI for help.”

With SENSAI in place, the dojo is always open.

In 2023, cybersecurity students around the world spent more than 1.5 million hours drilling in the dojo. In the short span of a few years, use of the site has increased from a handful of users to nearly 14,000 registered users and is awarding more than 800 belts each year.

Shoshitaishvili is looking at potential applications of the pwn. college system for enterprise and government sectors.

“Adequately protecting the nation and the world from cybersecurity threats is one of the most pressing challenges in computer science today,” says Ross Maciejewski, director of SCAI. “Shoshitaishvili’s work will ensure that the talent needed to tackle these challenges is in rapid development.”

Kelly deVos is the communications specialist for the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

MATTER OF FACT

Researcher to use AI for testing new materials so engineers don’t have to

We are living in a material world.

BY

In the face of an intense period of global evolution, including climate change, aging populations and an increased need to conserve resources such as food and water, the fate of the future may depend on the development of innovative materials.

Yanjie Fu, an associate professor of computer science in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI) at Arizona State University, and colleague Alix Schmidt, a senior data scientist at Dow, were recently awarded a Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering grant by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) to use artificial intelligence to help engineer new materials.

“Though we may rarely notice it, materials science has an enormous impact on our daily lives,” Schmidt says. “My daily sunscreen lotion doesn’t leave me feeling oily, my car doesn’t rust despite the salty Michigan winter roads and my phone forgives me for dropping it in the parking lot.”

The grant is designed to help the researchers increase the speed and decrease the cost of developing polymers or inorganic materials by tapping the power of artificial intelligence (AI). New materials discovered by AI can be developed to have unique properties and have the potential to make airplanes safer, food storage better and military technology more affordable.

Right now, the process of making new materials often involves, well, physically making new materials. Engineers must typically

produce new types of stretchy rubber, heat-resistant plastic or more durable forms of glass, testing each—sometimes by trial and error—until they find something that can be mass-produced.

For this project, Fu and Schmidt will employ a type of AI called deep machine learning, where computers run software programs that enable them to learn by example in a way that models the human mind. The researchers will use large libraries of historical data from the field of material science to essentially train machines to make virtual models of new materials, run simulated tests and provide key information to scientists.

“The artificial intelligence system will use historical data to learn about patterns in material compositions, which will eliminate the need to test each material one by one,”

Fu says.

The team’s efforts will also create a more environmentally friendly, sustainable manufacturing pipeline as it will become less necessary to consume resources testing formulations that will likely never be utilized. Fu says, “The result will be that only the promising options will be made and labs can spend their money on the materials most likely to work.”

The pair of researchers initially connected at the U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium last year. They began to discuss ways to collaborate. As Fu described his background in computer science, Schmidt theorized that her work at Dow—especially the company’s manufacturing expertise and massive material science library—could be helpful. They decided to team up to develop an effective machine learning system.

KELLY DEVOS

Founded in 1897 by Herbert Henry Dow following his discovery of a new method of extracting bromine from brine, Dow now produces materials that support a wide range of applications from food packaging to athletic shoes to beauty products. The breadth of knowledge makes the company ideal to work with for this type of research project.

“It’s a challenge to keep pace with everincreasing performance requirements as our customers develop these beneficial products,”

Schmidt says. “With AI materials design tools, our researchers can more easily leverage Dow’s long history of materials science expertise to quickly respond to new design requirements, whether that is advanced performance, improved sustainability or cost. We envision a future with data-driven tools in our labs, and I’m excited to see how this project can accelerate the AI journey.”

Ross Maciejewski, director of SCAI, agrees. “This grant is an interesting example of the type of collaboration between enterprise and academia that can really propel innovation,” he says. “Tackling the world’s big problems will require both research and manufacturing solutions.”

The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering grants are designed to foster exactly this kind of interdisciplinary approach. After each symposium, the foundation gives away only two awards that provide the seed money to drive important research forward. It’s the next lap on an already promising track for Fu, who was named an Early Career Engineer by the NAE in 2020. Fu is looking forward to developing the new AI technology with Schmidt. He compares the process to cooking. He says, “Thanks to these machine learning systems, we’ll be in the kitchen with only the ingredients likely to make tasty dishes.”

Kelly deVos is the communications specialist for the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Yanjie Fu is part of a team using AI to support faster, more sustainable creation of innovative materials.

Illustration by Kelly deVos

OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITIES

Data streams lead to improved water resource management

Water and technology are typically equated to fire and ice—two things that often do not mix in a cautious and conservative water industry. But how about when technological advancements drive innovations in conservation-based algorithms that impact resource scarcity on a global level?

Now that’s arguably a match made in heaven, and exactly what

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) company NOAH Global Solutions™ is achieving as the recognized world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and optimization for advanced water resource management.

Simply put, NOAH is Turning Data into Water™.

Established in the early 2000s, NOAH—short for Neural Optimization Applied Hydrology—was founded by leading industry experts in hydrology, math, science and engineering.

Co-founders Emery Coppola, Mary Poulton and Ferenc Szidarovsky have a deep-rooted history with environmental work and technology integration as well as ties to The University of Arizona. Coppola graduated from UArizona with a doctorate in hydrology, Poulton was the first woman to lead an engineering department at the university, and Szidarovsky was a professor with joint appointments in the Departments of Systems and Industrial Engineering and Hydrology and Water Resources.

The co-founders based the software on research stemming from UArizona and later spun out to become NOAH Global Solutions™.

The university has ranked as a top global leader in water resource programs year after year, prioritizing this research

due to its location in an arid region. What sets UArizona apart is its commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies into its research endeavors. This integration not only enhances the scientific understanding of water resources but also opens avenues for real-world impact like NOAH, ranging from more efficient water management strategies to the development of sustainable solutions for water scarcity issues.

NOAH combines human intelligence with AI to create Actionable Intelligence™. This patented system directly combines data streams with AI, formal optimization and other modeling methodologies to constitute advanced decision support systems for water resources management.

Their proprietary process uses AI to analyze data in real time, identifying critical cause and effect relationships between variables. The process improves the collection and understanding of data from systems and converges into accurate and robust AI prediction models.

Leading researchers leverage knowledge and expertise to develop AI-based data analysis and modeling strategies that unleash the full potential of collected data. The human touch aids the discovery of important system dynamics to develop accurate and robust AI prediction models.

Combining AI and optimization models with human-driven data analysis and objectives identifies the optimal operating solutions that maximize benefits such as resource protection and minimize costs like energy consumption. Risk is reduced by having the AI predictive models explicitly account for inherent uncertainty like climate change.

Recognizing the potential of its innovative technology, the company in 2017 joined The University of Arizona Center for Innovation, the university’s startup incubator network, a strategic move that accelerated their growth trajectory.

By tapping into the resources and expertise available within the incubator, the company was able to fast-track the development of their business and swiftly transition it into a viable business venture. This collaboration not only provided the company with essential support in refining their strategies but also offered invaluable guidance in navigating the complexities of establishing and scaling a successful business.

As a result, the company is poised to make a significant impact in the realm of water management, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technologies and real-world implementation on a large and complex scale.

NOAH Global Solutions has put its innovative AI methodology and algorithms to the test through a series of case studies, most recently working with the European nation of Malta. NOAH was awarded a groundbreaking contract by the European Union to help protect the future of this island nation.

The challenge for the thriving tourist destination and freshwaterscarce Mediterranean nation is a growing demand for freshwater while enduring extreme climate change-induced droughts.

The nation is faced with simultaneously managing two major water production sources: over-exploited limestone aquifers that produce fresh groundwater but are threatened by saltwater intrusion due to their depleted supply, and three reverse osmosis plants that will purify the Mediterranean seawater but at a cost five times higher than groundwater extraction while emitting greenhouse gases.

The solution? NOAH developed a preliminary AI-based, multi-objective decision support system to help decision makers visualize the complex give-and-take between water sources, identified objectives, and optimal solutions from an infinite set of points known as the trade-off surface.

The NOAH decision support system collected data such as optimal pumping rates and changes in climate to remove inferior solutions and identify how there is no single solution where all three objectives simultaneously achieve the best value, meaning the optimal solution will come down to a matter of priorities and which objective to focus on first.

NOAH’s multi-objective analysis and generated trade-off surface provide Malta decision makers with management solutions per priority. Among the infinite set of points generated by the software, solutions show how each objective affects the others, helping decision-makers understand the implications of their choices.

All the while, AI with multi-objective optimization is continuously updating the trade-off surface with new sets of points as conditions, like weather, change. For example, the NOAH decision support system will identify a lower production rate for reverse osmosis generated water and simultaneously increase groundwater pumping at optimal rates when energy conservation is needed in an extended heatwave.

Managing water through data-driven decision-making improves resource allocation and sustainability, and helps address the complex challenges associated with water management. NOAH’s AI and optimization-based decision support system can augment years of expertise, reduce costs, improve desalination water processes and protect critical groundwater resources.

The island nation of Malta, represented with data and code in the water

SKILLS FOR A NEW WORLD

BY CECILE LEBLANC

Professor trains Indigenous teachers in coding education

Ashish Amresh, a computer science professor at Northern Arizona University, is empowering Native American educators to teach the language of code. He describes his goal as “Getting teachers to think about computing as a life skill for their students and having them apply it in all domains in a similar way that we think of writing and communication.”

Yet, teaching computer science in Arizona’s rural and tribal communities often presents a major challenge. Educators at schools in these areas who are not well-versed in computer science might teach only the most basic skills—or not teach computer science at all.

For Amresh, helping these teachers overcome their reluctance to introduce computer science skills in the classroom is a passion. The National Science Foundation has awarded NAU and partnering institutions more than $1.3 million in funding to address these challenges.

“The need to broaden participation in rural and tribal communities is immense, and it gives me great satisfaction when we are improving teacher capacity and skills, especially when those get transferred to the classroom,” Amresh says.

The project “Let’s Talk Code: Broadening Computing Education among Native Americans by Blending Code with Nature, Art, and Culture” introduces teachers in the Four Corners region and surrounding tribal areas to computer science education. Amresh directs the project with partners from Navajo Technical University, Coconino County Education Service Agency and the Computer Science Alliance.

Ashish Amresh before a slide showing Hopi art and the words, “Hopi Naatoyta.”

Amresh explains that one key to sustaining computer science education is making it relevant. “We want to take a new approach by empowering teachers to embrace computer science and not be frightened by it,” says Amresh. “We will show them ways to make computer science lessons meaningful in their classrooms and tailor them to their students.”

Participating teachers implemented lesson plans by creating apps using the Code.org programming platform. Code.org is a non-profit dedicated to K–12 computer science education.

With the apps, teachers could cleverly introduce lesson plan concepts. For example, one educator taught probability by creating a Pokémon-inspired app. Other educators created apps to teach the pronunciation of words in the Hopi and Navajo languages.

Mentors recruited from NAU’s undergraduate computer science program offered critical support for the participating educators. Amresh adds, “We are always looking for the community to closely engage with our efforts, be it mentoring, advising or providing resources. We welcome it all.”

Teachers from 20 northern Arizona schools have participated in the program. But this is just the beginning. Amresh’s ultimate objective is to develop a well-designed curriculum that is flexible enough to work in diverse settings.

“Building a thriving community of computer science teachers that share and grow this participation would be another success story,” he adds. “Seeing students increase their interest in computer science and opting for computer science majors when they graduate from high school would be highly rewarding.”

Cecile LeBlanc is a marketing content writer at Northern Arizona University.

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION

BY MADISON ROBINSON

UAT tops computer science education in Arizona

In an exciting breakthrough for the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), the institution has been named the best college for computer science education in Arizona by Niche. This achievement reflects UAT’s steadfast dedication to providing a cutting-edge curriculum and fostering a supportive environment for aspiring technologists.

Jill Coddington, a senior professor in UAT’s advancing computer science and software engineering programs, expressed her heartfelt pride in this achievement, saying, “UAT has been a stronghold in computer science for years. It’s incredibly gratifying to see our efforts acknowledged in this way. This recognition fills me with immense pride.”

The standings on the Niche website result from combining data sets with reviews to produce comprehensive rankings, report cards and profiles for every college, K-12 school, and neighborhood in the nation. The computer science ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Coddington emphasized her institution’s distinctive project-based curriculum, which prioritizes practical application over traditional exam-based learning, empowering students to tackle ambitious projects and develop real-world solutions.

Professor Rae Crusoe highlighted the diverse strengths of UAT’s computer science program. “Our success is a result of our faculty’s rich industry experience, our hands-on approach

to learning through projects and internships, and the inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and creativity,” says Crusoe.

David Bolman, UAT’s provost, expressed his genuine excitement at the news of the institution’s top ranking. “It’s truly thrilling to receive this recognition. At UAT, we’re not just teaching computer science; we’re cultivating confident and ethical technologists who are equipped to tackle complex challenges,” Bolman says.

He emphasized the institution’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve by integrating the latest advancements and emerging technologies into its curriculum, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Bolman also underscored UAT’s dedication to ethical considerations in technology and diversity in the workforce. “As technology continues to advance, we must remain vigilant in addressing ethical concerns and promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Our students are not just learning technical skills; they’re engaging in meaningful conversations and becoming advocates for positive change,” he adds.

Looking to the future, Bolman envisioned a landscape where AI is seamlessly integrated into various applications and programming becomes more accessible through innovative interfaces. “Our focus is not just on preparing students for today’s challenges but also on equipping them with the skills and mindset to shape the future of technology in ethical and inclusive ways,” he says.

Madison Robinson is digital marketing manager at the University of Advancing Technology.

FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

Standing out in the highly competitive IT and software market

Information technology and software companies face intense competition in today’s fast-paced digital landscape driven by constant technological advancements and innovation. To thrive, it’s essential to stand out from the myriad competitors on the market.

Achieving differentiation involves communicating how a product offering uniquely addresses customers’ challenges, providing informative, helpful content that educates and informs, and building a trustworthy, reliable online presence that is easily found.

Here are five best practices to help IT and software companies stand out, whether a startup or an established organization.

Clarify Your Unique Value Proposition

Developing a unique value proposition (UVP) is the cornerstone of any marketing strategy. This statement clearly describes what differentiates a product from its competitors and why customers should choose this option over alternatives. In an industry where many companies offer similar solutions, a clarifying message becomes mission-critical. Crafting a compelling UVP involves identifying the specific problems the product addresses, its most valuable features and the tangible benefits users will experience. Focus on the aspects that make the product unique, such as

superior performance, advanced capabilities, exceptional training and onboarding, cutting-edge technology, or ease of integration with other technologies. When developing a UVP, be sure to consider the product from the customer’s perspective: What challenges are they facing and how does the solution uniquely address them?

Build a Strong Online Presence

The company website is often the first point of contact with potential customers, making it a crucial element of a strong online presence. Ensure that it is professionally designed, visually appealing and easy to navigate, offering a seamless user experience across all devices. A mobile-optimized website is essential, as many users access websites from their smartphones and tablets. Incorporate the UVP on the website to immediately convey what sets the product apart. Ensure visitors can easily find detailed product information, including features, benefits and use cases, and use high-quality images, videos and infographics to enhance the presentation and make complex information more digestible. Strong calls-to-action (CTAs) are vital to guide visitors through the buyer journey and when placed strategically throughout the website can encourage desired engagement, such as signing up for a newsletter or requesting a demo.

Social media platforms are another way to build an online presence and can be invaluable for building brand awareness and engaging with audiences. Identify the platforms where target audiences are most active and maintain a consistent posting schedule with engaging content. Share valuable industry insights and product information to help educate and inform customers

BY RENEE YEAGER

and prospects. Posts about company news and employees give customers insight into the organization. Paid social advertising with high-value CTAs or downloadable content is a great strategy for attracting a wider audience and gaining new followers and potential customers.

Invest in Developing High-Quality Content

Given that most customers conduct their own research before engaging with a company, the importance of content cannot be overstated. High-quality, informative content is essential for educating audiences about the benefits of a product and also provides the opportunity to share best practices, industry information and more to position an organization as a trusted advisor. As different audiences prefer different types of content, utilize a variety of formats, such as blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts and case studies, to reach a broader audience. Videos and infographics are particularly effective for simplifying complex concepts and making technical information more accessible. Additionally, case studies offer a narrative to which potential customers can relate, demonstrating a solution’s practical applications and benefits. Develop compelling case studies highlighting key metrics, such as cost savings, efficiency improvements and ROI, and include a testimonial from the customer for validation. Make sure to capture analytics that monitor and track content consumption, including page views and asset downloads. This data can provide valuable insights into how visitors interact with content, enabling continuous optimization and informed decision-making about the content you produce.

Optimize for SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for highly competitive industries because it enhances online visibility. By optimizing websites for search engines, companies can attract more organic traffic, potentially leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales opportunities. Conduct thorough keyword research to understand what potential customers are searching for and update web pages with fresh, keyword-optimized content to improve search engine rankings and attract more visitors. In addition to keyword research, focus on technical SEO aspects, such as improving site speed, mobile-friendliness and ensuring a secure browsing experience with HTTPS. Obtaining highquality backlinks from reputable websites can significantly boost website authority and improve its visibility in search engine results. Leverage analytics tools to monitor website performance and adjust strategies based on data-driven insights. Consistent management is critical for SEO success, as continuous updates in search engine algorithms, evolving user behaviors, and emerging technologies necessitate ongoing adjustments and optimization to maintain and improve search rankings.

Leverage Social Proof

Customer testimonials are a powerful form of social proof that can significantly influence purchasing decisions, as potential customers often look to the experiences of others when evaluating a product. Collect and showcase positive feedback from satisfied customers on websites, social media and marketing materials, and highlight specific results and benefits that the product has delivered to build credibility and trust. Encourage customers to leave detailed reviews and ratings on popular platforms such as G2, TrustRadius and Capterra, as these sites are frequently consulted by buyers researching their options. When reviews are received, actively engage with them, responding professionally to positive and negative feedback. Acknowledge and thank those who leave positive reviews to show appreciation and build rapport. For negative reviews, offer thoughtful and constructive responses demonstrating the organization’s commitment to resolving issues and continuously improving the product.

Showcasing positive testimonials and effectively managing online reviews builds trust, enhances a brand’s reputation, and demonstrates a customer-centric approach. This proactive engagement can turn satisfied customers into brand advocates and address concerns that might deter potential buyers, ultimately driving more conversions and fostering long-term customer loyalty.

Standing out in a highly competitive IT and software market requires a strategic and multifaceted approach. Clarifying a unique value proposition; building a strong, optimized online presence; investing in high-quality content marketing; and leveraging social proof are the foundations for differentiating a company, attracting more customers and building a foundation for success.

Renee Yeager is CEO and co-founder of Yeager Marketing, a B2B technology industry marketing firm.

BUSTING THE MYTHS

Phoenix metro study clears the air about valley fever risks

A new study of valley fever spores collected from air filters around the Phoenix metro area is helping a research team led by scientists from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, dispel some common myths about exposure to the fungus known as Coccidioides, or “cocci” for short.

For instance, the risk of airborne exposure to valley fever spores does not increase significantly after a major dust storm, or haboob, as has been the conventional wisdom. The research team also noted that the cocci spores are not ubiquitous throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Instead, the presence of the spores identified through DNA analysis varied in location and time throughout an 18-month collection period, concluded the study published in Scientific Reports, a Nature publication.

There was also a greater risk of finding cocci on the filters on hotter, more windy days and days with low soil moisture, according to David Engelthaler, director of TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division and colleagues.

Public health workers can use these new findings to dispel myths about valley fever exposure, such as the belief that it’s riskier to go outside after a dust storm, Engelthaler says. “That messaging is probably doing little to reduce the risk of people getting exposure to cocci or valley fever. We are hoping to help provide more precision to such public health warnings.”

Valley fever is a disease that mostly affects the lungs and is caused by inhaling Coccidioides spores. The fungus infects hundreds of thousands of people and their pets, causing more than 300,000 cases of valley fever each year in the American Southwest, mostly in Arizona and California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study included 5,243 filters from 11 sites across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area that were tested for Coccidioides DNA from 630 days during three pilot programs in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and a sustained 18-month surveillance effort between January 2018 and June 2019.

The filters are part of a biodefense monitoring system put in place in Arizona in 2002 after the 9/11 terror attacks. As the state’s biodefense coordinator on that project and later as the state epidemiologist, Engelthaler saw the filters as a way to better understand Valley fever exposure. But at the time, “we didn’t have the technology to adequately break open the fungal spores and do the genetic testing we can do today,” he says.

“This is the very first time that we’ve looked at this part of the risk, the risk of the fungus in the air, where and when and how that happens,” Engelthaler added. “And what the research is starting to tell us is that valley fever exposure is a really localized thing.”

In the Phoenix area, explains Tanner Porter, the study’s lead author, researchers had assumed there was “some kind of ongoing omnipresent risk” of valley fever exposure. But the new findings suggest that the place and time of exposure varies, probably depending on when and where the soil is disturbed by local events such as turning an old agricultural field into a construction site.

Scientists have not discovered a direct link between a warming Southwest caused by global climate change and valley fever dispersal to new areas, Porter says. But the study did find a greater prevalence of cocci on the filters during warm and dry days. “That probably does mean that the more of those days we have in a changing climate, the more exposures we’re going to see,” he says.

The researchers will continue monitoring the filters for cocci, Engelthaler says, using genomic sequencing techniques to identify and quantify different strains of the fungus “to add more layers to our understanding of what’s driving the cocci spores to get up into the air.”

Tanner Porter

NATIONWIDE CALL FOR ACTION

Medical director seeks reduced radiation exposure in cardiac procedures

Dr. David G. Rizik, medical director of the Cardiovascular Research Division of HonorHealth Research Institute, is urging a nationwide adoption of radiation shields to protect doctors, nurses and medical technicians during cardiac catheterization interventions.

Rizik made his call during a recent presentation in Washington, D.C., at the annual meeting of Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT), one of the world’s premier medical forums on new cardiovascular technology and procedures for physicians and health care professionals. The forum focuses on new clinical trial data, evidence-based research and the most up-to-date cardiovascular treatment techniques.

Rizik’s call to reduce radiation exposure is based on a three-year clinical trial study released at CRT of nearly 500 patients at HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale. The study led by Rizik found that radiation shields resulted in no detectable radiation exposure to staff in more than 70% of cardiac catheterization procedures and that overall radiation exposure was reduced by greater than 99%.

“We’ve known about this for decades and yet we have not done anything to improve workplace safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory,” says Rizik, one of the nation’s leaders in non-surgical methods of fixing damaged hearts. “It’s time for us to get with it, and hospitals aren’t doing it.”

In March 2023, a similar but smaller study led by Rizik led to HonorHealth Research Institute becoming one of the first health care providers in the U.S.—and the first in Arizona—to use an advanced radiation protection system as part of the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Modern cardiac catheterization laboratories use multiple X-ray beams from different angles to produce high-quality images of the heart, major arteries and other tissues. These low-level

radiation beams enable physicians to guide catheters and other devices during interventional cardiology procedures, which are non-surgical, catheter-based therapies for patients who do not require open-heart surgery.

While generally considered safe, repeated exposure to lowlevel radiation over time presents cancer and other medical risks to doctors, nurses and other catheterization laboratory staff. Current standard radiation protection for operating room personnel—a lead apron—offers no protection to the head and face, with suboptimal shielding of the extremities, creating a potential risk of cataracts and certain cancers. In addition, the weight of the lead apron has been associated with orthopedic injury of the spine, hips and knees.

Radiation shields function as a radioprotective wall between the x-ray source and the operators.

The latest study involving Rizik—Comprehensive Radiation Shield Minimizes Operator Radiation Exposure In Coronary and Structural Heart Procedures—concludes that the shield used in the study “provides exceptional total body RE (radiation exposure) protection for operators performing both coronary and structural heart procedures. This shield allows procedural performance without the need for personal lead aprons and has potential to reduce catheterization laboratory occupational health hazards.”

The reduction in radiation exposure achieved with the system has the potential to improve the health of interventional cardiologists and cardiac catheterization laboratory staff, says Rizik, adding that radiation shields eliminate the need for lead-protective garments and improve mental health by allaying many of the fears of long-term radiation exposure. He predicted that these improvements could boost the recruitment of physicians, nurses and technologists.

“We are occupationally exposed. It is time to protect ourselves,” Rizik says.

Steve Yozwiak is the senior research science writer for HonorHealth Research Institute.

Dr. David Rizik (top center) with a surgical team

BY STEVE YOZWIAK

A NEW WAVE

Each year, the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC) awards up to $150,000 to the most innovative companies seeking to commercialize new technology that creates sustainable and growing businesses in the state of Arizona.

Winning companies leverage the awards to grow their businesses and facilitate the state’s economic development goals. The AIC has been serving Arizona’s startup ecosystem since 2011, resulting in more than 2,700 applications and 130 awarded companies that are driving Arizona’s innovation ecosystem forward.

We are proud to feature five of the 2023 Arizona Innovation Challenge awardees. The first five were profiled in the previous issue of TechConnect.

Dx4Liver CEO Lisa Duncan

Dx4Liver: Revolutionizing pediatric liver diagnostics, saving lives

Lisa Duncan was in a race against time.

“After my daughter’s birth, we embarked on an agonizing journey of nine grueling and financially draining tests over endless days to diagnose potential biliary atresia, a condition that could demand the thinkable: a lifesaving liver transplant,” says Duncan, CEO of Dx4Liver Inc. in Phoenix.

Fortunately, Duncan’s child didn’t require a transplant for the disease in which bile ducts become inflamed and blocked soon after birth. The bile remains in the liver, where it rapidly destroys liver cells, causing cirrhosis or scarring, and often necessitates an organ transplant.

Despite her own family’s good news, Duncan was determined to find a way to expedite the diagnosis of biliary atresia, and to make testing more affordable and accessible. In 2022, she founded

Dx4Liver with Chief Technology Officer Reena Mourya, thus beginning a mission to revolutionize pediatric liver diagnostics, simplify care, reduce costs and save lives.

“We worked together to find, develop, validate and commercialize an antibody-based assay that quantifies the disease marker matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7),” Duncan says.

The diagnostic biomarker kit, which is 95% accurate, was launched 18 months ago as a laboratory-developed test in partnership with Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

Annually in the U.S., biliary atresia is diagnosed in 1 in 12,000 newborns, 10% to 20% of whom also have abnormalities in other organs, such as heart defects or issues with their spleens. It is the most common reason babies and children require liver transplants, and there is no cure.

Last year, Duncan applied for the Arizona Commerce Authority’s 2023 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), and Dx4Liver was chosen among the state’s top 10 emerging tech-and-innovation startups. One of the largest business plan competitions in the country, the AIC advances innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by assisting earlystage ventures to scale.

Participation in the ACA’s Venture Ready Accelerator, a benefit extended to all AIC awardees, has been invaluable, she says.

The 12-month mentorship program pairs early-stage entrepreneurs with veteran CEOs for individualized coaching, investor readiness and business plan optimization.

“We were assigned an exceptional Entrepreneur in Residence, and the program is providing the mentorship and training we need to continue to scale,” says Duncan, who previously worked in medicine and technology.

With a base of 170 customers, sales of nearly 1,200 tests and a contract for a first distributor, Dx4Liver will use the AIC award to

pursue FDA clearance and accelerate distribution. The company is also in the early stages of developing other novel biomarkers for liver disease.

Duncan praised state leaders for supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering a business atmosphere conducive to collaborations and providing diverse networking opportunities across industries.

“With its research centers, technology parks and innovation hubs, the state encourages knowledge-sharing and partnership among businesses,” she says. “This collaborative ethos drives innovation and facilitates the discovery of synergistic opportunities.”

Simplifyance Founder Parker Smith

Simplifyance: Streamlining compliance management in behavioral health care

Parker Smith followed his heart into behavioral health care about a decade ago after a college friend passed away from a heroin overdose. Smith became certified as an addiction counselor then began working at a startup drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, where he was elevated to operations director during a period of high growth.

During that time, the Arizona native began contemplating a software concept to help behavioral health care organizations simplify the complex maze of federal and state compliance regulations so that program staff could focus on client care instead of administrative work.

In 2022, Smith launched Simplifyance, incorporating that idea into a web-based software platform that streamlines regulatory requirements and automatically aggregates and produces required data sets.

Behavioral health care is complex, encompassing a broad set of mental health conditions, severe mental illness and substance use disorders treated in various settings. Providers grapple with hundreds of regulatory requirements, state licensing laws, accreditation standards and additional certifications.

Without accurate data, Smith says, an organization can sink into non-compliance, putting its licenses and contracts at risk. He says the old ways of collecting data—using clipboards and calculators then storing it in binders—are unreliable and leave an organization vulnerable. One of the major challenges in behavioral health care compliance is the amount of time it requires.

Simplifyance’s solution is easy to learn, affordable and scalable for small community-based centers and large treatment facilities alike. The software conserves time and money and, most importantly, can help save lives, he says.

“There’s a nightmare of administrative work when you’re in behavioral health, and such a great margin of error,” Smith says. “There are fatal risks to businesses when compliance activities are not being followed, say for suicide prevention, that leaves many patients at risk.”

Early on, he brought on Sam Stein, a computer scientist with 30-plus years in development, as chief technical officer. Together they combined their backgrounds and knowledge to accelerate the development of the product.

With 17 employees, Scottsdale-based Simplifyance services private, nonprofit and government sectors in more than 75 locations. Clients include the City of Laredo (Texas) Public Health Department and several addiction treatment centers around the country, including Colorado, Texas, California and Arizona.

“Arizona is one of, if not the most, attractive states to establish or move a company, not only due to the economic and tax benefits, but also because of the rich diversity of industries, workforce availability and established network of capital resources,” says Smith.

Simplifyance is a 2023 awardee in the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Innovation Challenge, a business-plan competition for emerging tech-and-innovation startups. The competition alone was invaluable, Smith says.

“Using some resources provided by the ACA, we refined our financial reporting, forecasting and market segmentation strategy,” he says. “Most valuable was the presentation delivered to the panel of judges in the final round. Their questions and feedback served as a source of validation and inspiration for the next phase of our growth.”

Smith says he will invest the AIC grant in additional marketing efforts and continuous software development.

ASolid State Networks: Solsta platform automates and optimizes solutions for gaming developers worldwide

If your favorite new Xbox game came to market surprisingly fast and is exceptionally cool, you may have Solsta to thank.

Launched in 2023 by Phoenix-based software company Solid State Networks, Solsta is a faster, more efficient way to distribute internal game builds to developers, designers, quality assurance teams and play testers. The upshot for game studios is that they can make better games faster.

The company is already finding success. Early Solsta adopters include Xbox Game Studios and two studios owned by Netflix, with more to come, says Rick Buonincontri, Solid State Networks’ founder and CEO.

“It was born from a series of custom development projects that resulted from multiple game studios asking to repurpose our game publishing solution for their internal operations,” Buonincontri says. “These studios identified that their teams, which must work with very large files that are changing every day, would greatly benefit from an automated and optimized build distribution pipeline.”

After building those made-to-order systems, Solid State Networks set out to build a no-code solution that easily could be incorporated into all game development teams. In terms of growth, the sky’s the limit for Solsta because of the soaring popularity of DevOps, the practice of integrating software development (Dev) and operations (Ops) teams to accelerate and improve a tech platform.

The plan is to make Solsta an indispensable DevOps platform for every game studio in the world, Buonincontri says, by focusing on the specific needs of a game studio’s entire operations.

“The game development market is underserved because interactive games are uniquely different from other types of software and the current market leaders have not addressed these requirements,” he says.

Solid State Networks, which since 2010 has been developing deployment solutions for online games, is a 2023 awardee in the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Innovation Challenge, a business-plan competition for emerging tech-and-innovation startups. It had applied three times for the AIC before being selected last fall, Buonincontri says.

“The difference in 2023, I believe, is that our market opportunity with Solsta is significantly larger than we ever had before,” he says. “We sat out a few years of AIC until we had Solsta launched in the market with paying customers.”

Following the AIC competition, awardees are enrolled in the Venture Ready Accelerator, the ACA’s premier, 12-month mentorship program that pairs veteran CEOs with the earlystage entrepreneurs for one-on-one coaching, investor readiness and business plan optimization.

Venture Ready is ideal for Solid State Networks because Solsta requires alternative approaches and growth capital to compete in and claim a large market segment, Buonincontri says.

“Venture Ready has us examining the pieces of our story from an investor’s perspective, addressing the gaps and weaknesses, and tying it all together to tell a compelling story,” he says.

Solid State Networks is using its AIC award to hire a sales development rep and to staff industry conferences to build its sales pipeline.

“Arizona is business-friendly with a growing pool of tech talent,” says Buonincontri, noting this company has 15 employees, mostly from Arizona. “We are proud to support our local communities by exporting our software all over the world.”

Solid State Network Founder and CEO Rick Buonincontri

Lowly aluminum foil—for years relegated to the oven for baking potatoes, the grill for roasting corn and the refrigerator for preserving leftovers—has been elevated by a Tempe startup for a higher purpose.

SunFlex Solar, LLC, founded in March 2020 to commercialize breakthroughs in solar energy technology, uses aluminum foil to connect cells inside solar modules.

According to Cody Van Cleve, SunFlex Solar’s chief operating officer, conventional solar panels use costly copper wiring and silver paste to make those connections, a process that’s expensive and unsightly. Invented by lead engineer Kate Fisher, SunFlex’s Sunfoil modules save money by carrying the current in aluminum foil with its proprietary laser-welding method.

“The wires are difficult to connect,” Van Cleve says. “Panels made with our technology will produce more energy at a comparable or lower price and be more aesthetically pleasing, which matters when they’re going on your electric car or the roof of your home.”

The technology was developed in a lab run by Zachary Holman, a professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering’s vice dean for research and innovation.

Early on, Holman’s team received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. In 2022, SunFlex partnered with Silfab, a large domestic solar modules manufacturer, on a $3 million grant to launch production this year. Van Cleve estimates nearly 1 million solar panels will be manufactured annually with SunFlex’s technology.

“We’re also actively in discussions with manufacturers in markets for electric vehicles, foldable solar panels and solar roof tiles,” he says.

SunFlex is a 2023 awardee of the Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), the Arizona Commerce Authority’s (ACA) business-plan competition for emerging tech-and-innovation startups. The AIC award will be used by SunFlex for marketing and other nontechnical expenses.

The AIC competition process was highly beneficial, Van Cleve says, and the company has benefitted from one-on-one mentorship and panel sessions with experienced entrepreneurs in the ACA’s network.

“We also found it exceptionally valuable to be given the opportunity to pitch the company in front of a distinguished panel of judges, assimilating their perspectives into our business model and strategy, and refining both our path forward and how we communicate it,” Van Cleve says.

Arizona is an “up and coming technology hot spot,” he says, with rapid advancements in the semiconductor, electric vehicle and battery manufacturing industries, and early-stage venture startups.

“Even 10 years ago, total technology startup investment in Arizona was in the low six figures, but is now exceeding $3 billion,” says Van Cleve, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from ASU. “Innovation and talent acquisition, combined with an increase in access to investment capital and a close proximity to ASU, are fueling a positive feedback cycle of growth and opportunity for small companies like ours.”

SunFlex Solar Co-Founder Zachary Holman

SunFlex Solar Chief Operating Officer

Cody Van Cleve

SunFlex Solar: Pushing the boundaries of efficiency and innovation in solar technology

SunFlex Solar Lead Engineer Kate Fisher

Swift Coat: Using nanomaterials to optimize solar energy, solve lunar dilemmas, change the world

Nanotechnology has enormous potential to revolutionize our planet, from information technology, transportation and food safety to environmental science, medicine and manufacturing. Not bad for a science measured in nanometers. That’s billionths of a meter.

However, it’s no small feat to incorporate a material that is 1,000 times tinier than a speck of dust into something the size of a football field. Enter Swift Coat Inc., an Arizona State University startup that has cracked the code with its deposition technology known as Aerosol Impact-Driven Assembly (AIDA) and some outof-this-world applications.

Swift Coat’s novel equipment, processes and raw materials are used to spray nanoparticles on solar panels and windows to control soiling by decomposing dirt buildup. A dirty solar panel can reduce electricity generation by 30%.

Swift Coat was founded in 2016 by Zachary Holman, a professor in ASU’s School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, and Peter Firth, a former engineer in the semiconductor industry with a passion for technology and entrepreneurship.

“It’s a cool innovation, a way to integrate nanomaterials into highvolume manufacturing processes with precision,” says Firth, who first started working on the technology with Holman in 2014 while he was an ASU graduate student.

“This was the student teaching the professor rather than the other way around,” says Holman, recently named the ASU

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering’s vice dean for research and innovation. “We didn’t know exactly what we were going to get into, but it’s been a great learning experience. We’re continuing to grow, our technology continues to mature, and we’re getting more customers and finding new opportunities.”

In 2020, the company received nearly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. Testing followed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, which demonstrated Swift Coat’s panels produced as much as 10% more energy than standard panels.

Last year, NASA selected the company to develop an antifog coating for astronauts’ spacesuit helmets. Lunar surface temperatures can drop to minus 250 degrees F, causing water droplets in astronauts’ breath to condense inside helmets and dangerously obscure their vision.

The potential for more everyday products—think eyeglasses, ski and scuba goggles, and car windshields—is huge.

Last year, Swift Coat moved from a tiny ASU lab to a 16,000-square-foot facility in Phoenix to ramp up production. It has six employees and $1.5 million in annual sales, and has raised nearly $11 million from investors, federal research grants and commercial contracts.

Swift Coat also was selected among the state’s top 10 emerging tech-and-innovation startups in the Arizona Commerce Authority’s (ACA) 2023 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC).

“It’s been a valuable experience, particularly the feedback you get from the judges,” Firth says. “But equally important, you may realize there’s a big hole in your plan and you learn to defend it or pivot.”

He and Holman credited Arizona’s supportive business community, cost of living, and proximity and access to resources and talent at ASU with its early success.

Swift Coat Co-Founder Zachary Holman

NEW MEMBERS

AIR2O specializes in the unique HVACDF needs of mission-critical environments like data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, lithium battery production and indoor farming. www.air2o.com

AIRTELLIGENCE is an organization representing multiple manufacturers in the HVAC business. airtelligence.com

AKKODIS enables clients to advance in their digital transformation with talent, academy, consulting and solutions services. www.akkodis.com

ALLUVION operates fiber-based communication networks that boast a smart, fast and reliable network engineered to exceed expectations. www.alluvion.net

AMERICAN CENTER FOR OPTICS MANUFACTURING (AMERICOM) is a national effort to significantly build and sustain a healthy manufacturing industrial base and resilient supply chains essential to the economic strength and national security. americom.org

ARRAY TECHNOLOGIES is a leading global technology company providing tracker solutions and services for utility-scale solar energy projects. www.arraytechinc.com

ARTHA DATA SOLUTIONS is a business technology consulting firm that helps businesses maximize the value of their data as a corporate asset by implementing corporate strategy and technical solutions. www.thinkartha.com

AURORA provides self-driving technology for safer, accessible and efficient transportation. aurora.tech

BALTU TECHNOLOGIES helps organizations empower and retain their workers through its upskilling program and on-the-job training platform. www.baltutech.com

BOUNDY CONSULTING has grown businesses in a variety of industries by focusing on customer-perceived value. www.boundyconsulting.com

CIDERSOFT is a software development company that specializes in web development, software integration and staff augmentation. www.cidersoft.com

PEORIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is dedicated to attracting, growing and retaining businesses within the community. www.peoriaed.com

COMCAST BUSINESS partners with business and technology leaders to offer connectivity, secure networking, advanced cybersecurity and unified communications solutions. www.comcast.com

CONTENT AT SCALE is building the world’s most humanlike AI writer. contentatscale.ai

CONVERSIGHT’s conversational intelligent platform uses natural language processing and machine learning to converge the distance between humans and machines. conversight.ai

CORDIA is a sustainable energy solutions provider with expertise in district energy, combined heat and power and microgrids. cordiaenergy.com

To join the Arizona Technology Council, a member-supported group representing the interests of the state’s technology ecosystem, visit www.aztechcouncil.org.

NEW MEMBERS

CORO is one of the fastest growing security solutions for the mid-market, providing all-in-one protection that empowers organizations to defend against malware, ransomware, phishing and bots. coro.net

DAMSCHEN FINANCIAL PLANNING is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements. www.damschenfp.com

ELEVATE is a workforce accelerator that brings untapped communities into careers in technology sales as sales development representatives. www.elevatehire.co

FLAGSTAFF LAW GROUP is comprised of attorneys serving Northern Arizona communities in Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott and surrounding areas. flaglawgroup.com

FPT SOFTWARE delivers services in software product development, data/ analytics, cloud transformation, smart factories, digital platforms, RPA, AI, IoT and more. www.fptsoftware.com

FRACTIONAL CMO offers expert marketing leadership and services to accelerate growth and profitability through a beneficial, innovative and cost-effective formula. www.fractionalcmoandmarketing.com

G&A PARTNERS helps businesses grow by improving employee quality of life and creating scalable HR services. gnapartners.com

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SIERRA VISTA is an entrepreneurial nonprofit that draws upon its experience and record of accomplishments to support community and economic development through access to capital. www.sierravistaida.biz

INNOXXCONNECT provides information systems, services and technology, and change management professionals.

JDHINSIGHTS is passionate about cultivating a culture where employees thrive in their careers, are able to exceed their potential and feel fulfilled with how they contribute in life. www.jdhInsights.com

LIVEOPS is a virtual contact center that delivers scalable, on-demand experiences through the VirtualFlex platform for both planned and unplanned customer experience needs. liveops.com

LUMIFI is a managed detection and response trailblazer that has crafted a platform combining system, network and device monitoring with human expertise. www.lumificyber.com

MICROMEX offers contract manufacturing in electronics and mechanical assemblies, packaging and refurbishing. www.micromex.com

MYINTELLIGO is an IT services and staffing company that specializes in offering strategic consulting and talent solutions that help businesses effectively and efficiently stay ahead in the market. www.myintelligo.com

NURSEIO is a technology platform that connects health care professionals to health care facilities on-demand. nurseio.com

ONEAZ CREDIT UNION strives to help Arizonans meet their financial needs through a full suite of personal and business banking solutions. oneazcu.com

ONPOINT IMPACT offers comprehensive services designed to help achieve business goals through a blend of expertise, proven tools and personal dedication to clients’ missions. www.onpointimpact.com

PACIFIC ADVISORS’ mission is to help people financially produce and support a good life for the rest of their lives. pacificadvisors.com

PENTAKT helps businesses understand and adhere to cybersecurity, information assurance and compliance frameworks as a prime contractor, subcontractor or managed service provider servicing one. pentakt.com

PEORIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is dedicated to attracting, growing and retaining businesses within the community. www.peoriaed.com

PRESCIENT SECURITY AND ASSURANCE’s services are a blend of precision, innovation and an exacting approach to cybersecurity that truly aligns with clients’ goals and challenges. prescientsecurity.com

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

INSTITUTE - TUCSON CHAPTER is a professional nonprofit organization serving the southern Arizona project management community. www.pmi-tucson.org

PUREFLOW designs, builds, installs and maintains superior water purification equipment. www.pureflowinc.com

SINATRA’s immersive training programs equip hospitality professionals with the skills and insights needed to exceed in today’s dynamic landscape. www.sinatra.ai

STOCKDALE CAPITAL PARTNERS is a vertically integrated real estate investment firm affiliated with Stockdale Management, a property management firm. stockdalecapital.com

SYNAPSE LABS helps customers drive growth, deliver exceptional customer and employee experiences, optimize costs, and manage risk through big data, advanced AI, and machine learning. www.synapselabs.ai

TCT PROPERTY SERVICEs is a residential and commercial property management company providing quality services, market expertise and individual attention to detail. tctproperties.com

THALOZ is a product development company dedicated to collaborating with businesses on their digital journey, from end-to-end software development to expanding their dev team with nearshore talent. www.thaloz.com

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA - TUCSON offers an opportunity for high school graduates living in southern Arizona to earn a four-year business management degree from CatholicU without leaving the Tucson region. catholic.edu/tucson

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY protects and conserves the lands and waters on which all life depends in Arizona and beyond. nature.org/arizona

THRIVE helps organization get to the next level of success by helping people be the most effective versions of themselves. thrivecoachingconsulting.com

PRESCOTT VALLEY is a growing community that offers a small-town appeal but all the culture and amenities of a larger metropolitan area. prescottvalley-az.gov

UBIQUIA is a leading provider of web-based applications, with solutions including inventory management, delivery management and transportation management. sqbx.com

URBAN FARMING EDUCATION focuses on supporting programs aimed at enabling people to grow their own food in Arizona and Africa. weareufe.org

WAREACTIV enables businesses to seamlessly automate traceability, enhance security and control measures, optimize operations, and ensure compliance—all within a fully customizable software solution. www.wareactiv.com

To join the Arizona Technology Council, a member-supported group representing the interests of the state’s technology ecosystem, visit www.aztechcouncil.org.

ANNUAL SPONSORS

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AGM Precision Machining | Alliance Bank of Arizona | Arizona Public Service | Blue Canoe Marketing

Caterpillar | Full Swing Studios | Involta | Keap | Meta | Metz & Associates | MicroAge

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Sonora Quest Laboratories | Sun Corridor, Inc. | Tech Parks Arizona

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JUNE 27 | 12:30 - 6:00

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