Entrepreneur Events

This free community event features a fusion of music, business support opportunities, and product demonstrations, showcasing Tucson's rich diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with local support organizations, enjoy live music, and meet many of the Hispanic food entrepreneurs moving Tucson's food forward.

Local First Arizona, in collaboration with the University of Arizona FORGE, is debuting a brand-new series of events on the third Thursday of each month: The Hustle Hour. Join us for a building tour, networking, and―at the center of the evening―a rotating panel of speakers featuring Local First members. Each panel will feature insights and expertise around a particular topic, drawing on panelists' own experiences as entrepreneurs and community members here in Tucson. For October 2023, our panel topic will be Black business ownership in Tucson moderated courtesy of Tucson Urban League Young Professionals (TULYP) by Trehon Cockrell-Coleman (Advocate, Leader, Public Speaker).

In August, FORGE Venture Advisors proudly announced the Fall 23 cohort of Crucible. This innovative program accelerates the growth of advanced startups and enhances their commercialization and investment readiness. Drawing inspiration from its namesake—a container where elements meld to create something new—the Crucible accelerator embraces the concept of rapid transformation. On Thursday, November 2nd, four Crucible companies will present their ventures to industry experts, early adopters, and representatives from the investment community.

This event features Tyler Thorp, Program and Community Manager at Startup Tucson. Tyler developed SoAZ Made, a virtual marketplace for local food artisans, and created websites for local food entrepreneurs. The vision for the SoAZ Made program, in partnership with Visit Tucson, Startup Tucson, and the Tucson City of Gastronomy, is to create a thriving local food economy in Southern Arizona, where local artisans and entrepreneurs can showcase their unique products and experiences to a wider audience. By supporting these businesses, we can help preserve the rich culinary heritage of the region, and promote a stronger sense of community and connection among local consumers.

The goal is to foster a sustainable and equitable food system, where everyone has access to fresh, locally-sourced and locally-made products, and where food entrepreneurs are able to build successful and fulfilling careers doing what they love. SoAZ Made envisions a Southern Arizona where the local food scene is vibrant and diverse, and where consumers are proud to support the artisans and entrepreneurs who make it all possible.

Two startups go head to head in presenting their concepts. Witness the excitement as new entrepreneurs showcase their innovative ideas and ventures. Each company will give its pitch and then answer questions from our moderator and the audience. As part of the audience, you play a crucial role in voting on which one of these startups is most likely to scale.

For The Hustle Hour, September 2023, our panel topic will be Coaching, Consulting, and Mentoring with:
Fabiola Bedoya, Jessica Carr, Michael Tucker, Eric Franco, Christin Marvin

This month's event features Barbara Eiswerth the Executive Director and Founder of Iskashitaa and Chef Devon Sanner, TCOG Chef Ambassador, co-founder of GUT (Gastronomic Union of Tucson), award-winning chef, and co-owner of Zio Peppe restaurant.