In the dynamic landscape of being a successful entrepreneur, the key to sustainable growth lies in both innovating and seamlessly connecting with the market to create a profitable venture. At FORGE (Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs), we understand and support the critical steps that founders must take to navigate this journey successfully. We proudly introduce the newest additions to the FORGE Venture Advisors Residency program.

The Residency at FORGE is a 12-18 month "prove-out" program for startup companies seeking to transition from product-market fit to profit-market fit. These companies have already validated an investable market, if not a profitable business model, and are working toward moving beyond early adopters. Meet the newest Resident Startups.

Student Venture Pathway Assistant Destiny Velez is a senior majoring in Business Management at Eller College of Business. Originally from Long Island, New York, Velez spent her freshman year at Arizona State University before transferring over to the University of Arizona. As the semester winds down, Velez reflected on what it was like to leave home to find her footing in Tucson.
“University of Arizona has this sense of community and care for the academics that really mattered to me,” said Velez. “It also helped that there wasn’t snow and gloomy weather like in New York.”

Taking the leap to the University of Arizona also led her to connect with FORGE where she took on a role with the Student Venture Pathway’s staff.

“I became an SVP assistant to help connect students, faculty and staff with resources meant for them,” explained Velez. “I found the job on handshake, and I didn’t know it would change my life the way it did.”

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.

We asked FORGE Lead Mentor in Residence Brian Ellison to tell us about Crucible and the upcoming F23 Crucible Demo Day event. Brian Ellison headed up programming and training for the new FORGE Crucible accelerator, where he worked hand in hand with four startup companies: Better Than Provisions, Marro Technologies, Suncliffe Gin, and Wander Health.

Are you a student with entrepreneurial ideas?  Do you feel overwhelmed and are looking for community + resources to help you get your ideas off the ground?  FORGE has a resource to help called, Support + Share and it provides student entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. 

Knowing about entrepreneurship can provide students with a wealth of incredible possibilities. The University of Arizona FORGE created the Impact CATS program to provide greater access to equal opportunities without restrictions.

Three remarkable college students seized a unique opportunity to cultivate entrepreneurial skills while securing their academic futures. In a new initiative from the University of Arizona FORGE, the students received Biomedical Entrepreneur scholarships that enabled them to work on their startup concepts in exchange for tuition. University of Arizona undergraduate students Sydney Arriaga, Abhiman Gupta, and Isaac Kailat took part in an intensive summer program that helped them take their startup concepts from idea to pitch ready.  

University of Arizona FORGE Student Venture Pathways has a powerful new resource to guide students toward their goals, unlock their potential, and accelerate their success: one-on-one coaching and consulting.  

The SVP Peer Venture Coaching/Consulting program offers one-on-one coaching - allowing students to reach their full potential. Students work with different Peer Venture Coaches and SVP staff to develop their ideas into businesses or impact organizations.  Whether you already have a clear idea for a venture, or are just seeking guidance in identifying the perfect opportunity, this program is tailored to meet your needs.

The University of Arizona FORGE proudly announces the inaugural cohort of Crucible. The Crucible at FORGE program accelerates the growth of advanced startups and enhances their commercialization and investment readiness. The eight-week journey for these five companies begins September 12th at the FORGE at Roy Place entrepreneurial hub in Tucson, Arizona. The five companies selected for the Fall 2023 Crucible cohort are Better Than Provisions, Marro Technologies Inc., SEEOP Corporation, Suncliffe and Wander Health.