University of Arizona FORGE Announces the Exceptional Startups Accepted into Crucible Program

Aug. 28, 2023
FORGE Crucible 2023 Cohort

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  companies selected for the Fall 2023 Crucible cohort are Better Than Provisions, Marro Technologies Inc., SEEOP Corporation, Suncliffe and Wander Health. 

These companies have established themselves as pioneers in a wide variety of industries.  

  • Better Than Provisions creates nutrient-rich Nut Grain-Free Granola that is low-carb, keto, vegan, gluten-free, and made without added sugar.  

  • Marro Technologies empowers middle market private equity firms to reduce their portfolio companies' annual software expenses by proactively eliminating underutilized licenses.  

  • SEEOP develops, manufactures, and delivers robotic aircraft (drones) to commercial and military customers.  

  • Suncliffe produces a premium terroir-focused gin that draws inspiration from the southwest, catering to conscious consumers nationwide.  

  • Wander Health, is a medical concierge company connecting American travelers going abroad to a validated network of English-speaking doctors. 

Crucible provides a support platform for these companies to swiftly level up. The founders will receive rigorous professional development, expert mentorship, milestone evaluations, pitch practice sessions, investor introductions, and opportunities to highlight their work. The Crucible accelerator was made possible through the generous sponsorship and support of Flinn Foundation, Pima County Economic Development,  UA Venture Capital and Singularity Capital. 

Thank you Crucible Sponsors

The application process for Crucible guided startups through an introspective assessment to determine eligibility, including a self-reported third-party evaluation of overall investment readiness, and had applicants from across Arizona and nearby states. Drawing inspiration from its namesake—a container where elements meld to create something new—the Crucible accelerator embraces the concept of rapid transformation and builds on the success of the Residency at FORGE—a yearlong venture development program. 

“Our yearlong 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 scale more quickly," said FORGE Founding Executive Director, Brian Ellerman. 

With a commitment to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, FORGE offers a spectrum of programs that amplify impact through campus and community programs. Crucible is the latest testament to the FORGE mission of cultivating entrepreneurial mindset and provides a bridge to help carry these innovative startups into their next phase of growth.  

To learn more about the program's progress and achievements, please visit forge.arizona.edu/crucible or follow us at @uazforge