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For this year’s Native FORGE Conference, the theme was “From the Ground Up” highlighting the spirit of grassroots learning, growth, and building a solid foundation to servefuture generations.  Held in partnership with the University of Arizona Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement, entrepreneurs from the newest cohort from the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe were joined by past cohort members from the San Carlos Apache Tribe as well as entrepreneurs from the Tohono O'odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe at the conference. Gathering together in downtown Tucson at FORGE at Roy Place, the event provided valuable entrepreneurial resources as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration University Center program to bolster Indigenous entrepreneurship.

As the semester moves toward Fall Commencement, some of our Student Venture Pathways seniors will embark on new journeys.  They offered reflections on how FORGE has impacted their time at the University of Arizona.

Peer Venture Coach Lucas Lauricella is a senior majoring in Business Management at the Eller College of Business. As a student founder, Lucas had to balance his academic goals with his entrepreneurial ventures and leadership roles. In addition to his academic achievements, Lucas has shown a passion for innovation and a commitment to his communities.

 New venture founders selected for the Crucible program gain the tools needed to become investment-ready. The program provides access to a network of specialists and mentors to support and assist founders as they hone their messaging, more effectively promote their products, and position their companies for growth.  The capstone of the program, “F23 Demo Day,” offers founders the opportunity to pitch their businesses and demonstrate their products to investors, potential employees, industry mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs.