Learn from videogames, access a mentor, show off your venture and find more balance.
Campus Spotlight
Join us Thursday, September 8th for an exciting discussion featuring Dr. Judd Ruggill, Department Head for Public and Applied Humanities and Dr. Kenneth McAllister, Associate Dean for Research and Program Innovation. They will share information and answer questions about the Learning Games Initiative and Archive, a constantly expanding collection of computer games, systems, peripherals, memorabilia, scholarship, and other game-related materials made accessible to researchers all over the world. At the end of the coffee hour, guests are invited to hop on the streetcar and head over to campus to join them for an in-person tour of the archive.
Campus Spotlight events are free events that take place every second Thursday of the month. All events open at 8:30 with free coffee and networking prior to the presentation. These events are designed for guests to learn more about unique activities taking place across campus and to foster networking and collaboration between campus and the community. Each event features a campus special guest sharing more about their unique area and ample time to network with other guests. After the presentation, attendees are invited to join us in our second-story work hub for co-working and collaboration until noon.
Be sure to check out Campus Spotlight as well as the other great events in our Thursdays at FORGE series.
Calling all student entrepreneurs – take part in the Venture Valley EXPO
FORGE is inviting students who have ventures (business, non-profit, creative, social impact, etc.) or formulated ideas for ventures to sell their products, do customer discovery/research, or test a prototype at our Venture Valley Expo on Sept 30. The Venture Expo is taking place in tandem with the Venture Valley Gaming Tournament, a gaming experience where students learn real-world skills on how to build a venture. The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship is sponsoring $5,000 in cash giveaways to the top student scorers at the Venture Valley Gaming Tournament. The application is due Wed, Sept 14 and it is free to participate. This is an exciting opportunity for all students with a new venture to get your ideas in front of the public.
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter with more exciting news about Venture Valley!
Photo credit: Tech Launch Arizona
TLA, FORGE, and UACI Launch Service to Provide Top-Tier Mentoring to Ecosystem Startups
From TechLaunch Arizona - Tech Launch Arizona, FORGE, and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) have partnered to launch the University of Arizona Venture Mentoring Service (UAZVMS). Through the program, entrepreneurs connected with the University of Arizona launching a new venture can get free mentorship from experienced, trained, and vetted mentors to help them develop successful startup strategies. Mentors engaged in the program are selected based on their ability to provide advice to startups on the multiple issues and challenges that startups face, such as business planning, marketing, intellectual property strategy, raising funds, and human resources.
“The higher you raise the bar for your mentors, the higher the level of success will be for your program results,” says MITVMS mentor trainer Kent Summers, a successful serial entrepreneur who visited Tucson to lead the introductory workshop for the first cohort of UAZVMS mentors on August 18, 2022. “We make sure we only have highly qualified, committed people in the program. That’s how we build a successful community of mentors we can all be proud of.”
Finding balance and purpose through the entrepreneurial journey
Join us this Thursday, September 1st at FORGE at Roy Place for a morning of networking, and a great conversation with Robyn Tocisk. Start your morning with a cup of innovation on Startup Coffee. Each month StartUp Tucson invites a local business leader to be a guest on their platform. You'll hear stories and expertise of entrepreneurial experiences.
For this Startup Coffee, we will be hearing from Robyn Tosick, Founder, Savvyself and Mentor with the Mcquire Center for Entrepreneurship. Join us as we learn about finding balance and purpose through the entrepreneurial journey.
ACEL-UA Meeting
The Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders collegiate chapter at the University of Arizona will be having its first meeting on Wednesday, August 31st from 4-5 PM at the APASA Lounge (4th Floor of the Student Union).
The collegiate chapter UA ACEL is open to all students from different backgrounds and years (i.e., first years, sophomores, juniors, seniors, etc.). UA ACEL provides professional and leadership development, community service, and social events to thier general members. Find more information on Instagram @acel.ua.