New FORGE Accelerator Opens

This story originally appeared in the Arizona Daily Star

The University of Arizona’s downtown business accelerator is launching an intensive new program to help startups that are ready to break into broader commercial distribution of their products or services.

The UA’s FORGE (Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs) has opened applications for its new FORGE Ahead Crucible, an eight-week program that will take place at FORGE at Roy Place in downtown Tucson from Sept. 12 to Nov. 2.

The Crucible program has an application deadline of Aug. 20, and company founders will be notified if they have been selected by Aug. 24.

Startup companies can apply at forge.arizona.edu/crucible

Teams accepted into the Crucible program will receive an $8,000 stipend to offset travel and related costs.

Participants can expect intensive professional development work, mentorship from industry professionals, weekly milestone check-ins, business-pitch practice sessions, investor introductions and opportunities to demonstrate their work.

FORGE Founding Executive Director Brian Ellerman said FORGE’s yearlong FORGE Ahead Residency program has been successful in helping new ventures scale up and find investors.

“Crucible fills an important need for founders that are farther along in their journey and want to make that transition in a shorter timeframe,” Ellerman said.

The Crucible program focuses on startup teams that have gained traction in revenue, users, market or fundraising, and are on the verge of breaking into broader commercial distribution.