Arizona Technology Council Wins The University of Arizona's Tech Launch Arizona I-Squared Ecosystem Impact Award

PHOENIX - PrZen -- The Arizona Technology Council today announced it has been honored with the I-Squared Ecosystem Impact Award from Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) at The University of Arizona (UArizona). According to TLA, this award is reserved for a person or entity outside UArizona whose contributions have generated maximum success for university inventions and startups over the last year, as well as over an extended period of time.

The Council celebrated its award win alongside peers from across Arizona's technology ecosystem during TLA's annual I-Squared Awards and Expo event on Tuesday, September 26.

"Receiving the prestigious Ecosystem Impact Award underscores our unwavering commitment to catalyzing substantial and positive transformations within Arizona's technology community," said Karla Morales, the Council's Southern Arizona vice president. "Our tireless efforts are dedicated to nurturing innovation, fostering collaboration, driving economic expansion, and cultivating a skilled and vibrant workforce. This award reaffirms our dedication to these critical pillars of growth, and it is an honor to be recognized for our progress within the technology sector and beyond."

"Our thriving startup ecosystem represents the future of Arizona's technology landscape, and we are proud to work with Tech Launch Arizona in our combined pursuit of fostering innovation across the state," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute. "To receive this award for our work in supporting this organization and the outstanding companies they help to grow, is a tremendous honor for myself and our team in Southern Arizona that is leading the charge to support startup success."

As the voice of the technology industry in Arizona, the Council works tirelessly to promote innovation and support entrepreneurs throughout the state. The Council specializes in offering numerous resources to startups, particularly those created within the walls of Arizona's outstanding post-secondary institutions.

Since the inception of TLA 11 years ago, the Council has been an avid supporter of commercialization and entrepreneurial efforts coming out of UArizona. Numerous TLA alumni have gone on to make a name for themselves in Arizona's technology community, as well as becoming members of the Council. These startups include Airy Optics, Auxilium Technology Group, FreeFall Aerospace, Norcon Technologies, Paramium Technologies, Reglagne and SaiOx. In addition, TLA's partnership with the Council has grown and sparked multiple collaborations on events across the Tucson area aimed at catalyzing the ecosystem.

TLA's I-Squared Awards and Expo event is designed to honor the top inventors, entrepreneurs and community leaders dedicated to commercializing UArizona inventions. The following individuals and organizations also took home recognitions during the event:

• Inventor of the Year: Floyd "Ski" Chilton, director, Center for Precision Nutrition and Wellness
• Startup of the Year: BG Networks
• Student Innovator of the Year: Ashlesha Patil, graduate student in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences
• Campus Collaboration: UArizona Marketing and Brand Management
• The David N. Allen Award for Leadership & Vision: Joann MacMaster, CEO, Desert Angels
• #MadeItHappen: Science of Sport

"This is one of our favorite times of the year," said TLA Associate Vice President Doug Hockstad. "It's challenging to identify the top performers since there is such a rich concentration of innovators in this unique world of technology commercialization who are deserving of these honors. We're fortunate to be affiliated with so many outstanding inventors, entrepreneurs and supporters, and I am proud to offer each of them our team's congratulations."

To learn more about the Council's and its commitment to the Arizona entrepreneurial system, visit the organization's website at www.aztechcouncil.org.