Join Us in November For PHX Startup Week 2024
PHX Startup Week began in 2015 and quickly became Arizona’s largest entrepreneurial event. now entering year 10, The week is packed with informative, inspirational speaker sessions and limitless networking opportunities for startup founders, teams, investors, and supporters.
Our goal is to collaboratively accelerate Phoenix’s diverse entrepreneurial hub and ensure all innovation and ideas thrive, by bringing voices from all corners of the metro together to connect, learn, accelerate and empower.
Event Schedule
Day 1 Tuesday - November 12th 2024
Major John Giles
Opening Remarks Mayor Giles
8:45 am | November 12th 2024
Kick off the 10th PHX Startup Week with a special welcome from Mayor of Mesa, John Giles. Mesa is proud to be serving as the host city this year and has been a partner in organizing and activating our event. This year’s Startup Week is not just a milestone for the event but for the community, and Mayor Giles will set the stage for an inspiring week filled with opportunities, collaboration, and the spirit of innovation. Don’t miss his opening remarks as we embark on a celebration of startup culture and the incredible future ahead in Mesa and beyond!
John Giles is the 40th mayor of Mesa, Arizona, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. He oversees a growing economy that has added tens of thousands of new jobs, billions of dollars in capital investment, and employers like Apple, Amazon, Google and Meta.
Under his leadership, Mesa has adopted a nondiscrimination ordinance, implemented a Climate Action Plan, and established the Mesa College Promise, connecting qualified
high school graduates and adult learners with free community college education.
Giles is Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Immigration Task Force, Co-Chair of Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, and is the only elected official appointed to thenational Electric Vehicle Working Group.
Katie Sieker
Day 1 Session 1 - From Success to Service: Building Nonprofits After Startups
9:00 am – 10:00 am | November 12th 2024
This session highlights the unique role of nonprofits as drivers of social impact and community transformation. Learn how these organizations innovate to address pressing social challenges, mobilize resources, and create sustainable change. From leveraging technology to building strategic partnerships, discover how nonprofits are shaping a better future and expanding their reach in meaningful ways.
Katie Sieker is passionate about people, building companies & communities and inspiring others to harness their unique strengths and potential. She has been working with startups since 2005 and has served as the Head of Talent and People for companies based in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Denver, New York and Phoenix. She prides herself in building and shaping companies through culture, developing and enhancing programs that empower people, building authentic teams and coaching new managers/founders as their businesses scale and grow.
Dr. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, is the Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of WebPT, the leading software platform for physical, occupational and speech therapists driving delivering cutting-edge solutions and an unwavering passion for optimizing the practice and provider experience. She has been recognized as one of Health Data Management’s Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT, was named a Most Admired Leader and in 2018, was honored as the Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year at the Arizona Technology Council’s Governor’s Celebration of Innovation. She is also a proud member of the YPO Arizona Gold Chapter.
Amy Armstrong is the CEO of Social Venture Partners Arizona, where she has also been a partner for 15 years. She was also the founder of Next Generation Philanthropists and Support My Club, two Arizona-based nonprofit organizations. As an active philanthropist in the community, she serves on several boards including Board Secretary and Grant Coordinator for the Kiita Foundation and the Grant Advisor of the Armstrong Family Foundation. She dedicates time to serving college students with foster care backgrounds and recently was co-chair of the ASU President’s Club and a board member of the Chancellor’s Parent Leadership Society at CU-Boulder.
Dan Tyre
Day 1 Session 2 - Culture and Growth From Zero to $2.2 Billion:The HubSpot Story
10:00 am – 11:00 am | November 12th 2024
Join Dan Tyre, a distinguished HubSpot alumnus and 5 X entrepreneur, for an insider’s look at scaling a business from zero revenue to industry leader. In this session, you’ll gain the battle-tested strategies Dan honed during his 17-year tenure at HubSpot, helping them achieve a staggering $2.2 billion in revenue.
Dan Tyre is an experienced, dynamic public speaker who creates a powerful interactive experience for the audience. A prolific speaker with incredible energy, Dan is known for motivating entrepreneurial companies that want to grow. Dan has delivered over 300 successful presentations
Zach Ferres
Day 1 Session 3 - From Incubation to Scale: Telly’s Journey in Just Over 2 Years
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | November 12th 2024
Zach Ferres shares his journey from a VC and tech incubator to jumping in as a hands-on operating role at Telly, a smart TV company challenging industry norms. Gain insights on building truly disruptive tech, scaling operations, and lessons learned along the way.
Zach Ferres, co-founder of venture studio Coplex, has a strong track record of helping launch over 200 startups. As an experienced technology entrepreneur and investor, he helped incubate Telly, a revolutionary smart TV company transforming how consumers experience media. Now leading Telly’s operations and finance, Zach brings deep expertise in scaling transformative startups. He shares his insights on the unique challenges of building Telly and the shift from incremental to groundbreaking tech innovation.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/zcferres
Lunch Break
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Roald Dietzman
Andrew Miller
Day 1 Session 4 - Startup Lessons: From Idea to Business
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | November 12th 2024
In an era where efficiency and agility are paramount, Fast DMS is revolutionizing the manufacturing landscape through cutting-edge procurement automation and service optimization. Join us for an insightful session where we will explore how our innovative solutions can transform your operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity. Discover the key benefits of automating your manufacturing processes, including real-time inventory management, streamlined supplier communication, and data-driven decision-making. Whether you’re a small manufacturer or a large enterprise, learn how Fast DMS can help you navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the fast-paced manufacturing environment. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your business with technology-driven insights and strategies!
Roald Dietzman grew up on a small island near Seattle, WA, where spent his youth sailing and camping with his father, an entrepreneur in Environmental Sciences. He went to Seattle University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with the goal to start a business. In 2016, he moved to Arizona and founded Fast DMS, a manufacturing services and procurement automation company. Roald has been president of Fast DMS since its creation, which has grown into a company of 20 employees in Tempe, AZ. Fast DMS serves manufacturers in all industries who need quality custom parts without hassle. Fast DMS is developing Ocelot, an online procurement platform for manufacturing custom parts at any quantity worldwide. Fast DMS continues to grow its services business and plans to release Ocelot out of beta in 2025.
Andrew Miller grew up in Monterey, CA, where he spent his youth swimming and tinkering with electronics. He went to Cal Poly and then Purdue for a masters in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on sensors and vision systems. In 2007, he moved to Arizona to work with an ASU spinoff on Atomic Force Microscopes. In 2010, Andrew began working with startups in medical devices, aviation maintenance, and industrial automation. Andrew joined Roald in 2021 as CTO of Fast DMS, which has grown into a company of 20 employees in Tempe, AZ. Fast DMS serves manufacturers in all industries who need quality custom parts without hassle. Fast DMS is developing Ocelot, an online procurement platform for manufacturing custom parts at any quantity worldwide. Fast DMS continues to grow its services business and plans to release Ocelot out of beta in 2025.
Susan Sly
Hamid Shojaee
Day 1 Session 5 - Fireside with Hamid Shojaee: Repeat Founder, Investor and Community Advocate
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | November 12th 2024
Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Hamid Shojaee, a seasoned repeat founder, investor, and passionate community advocate. With a wealth of experience in building successful startups and fostering innovation, Hamid has made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape. In this intimate conversation, he will share insights from his journey, discuss the importance of community in entrepreneurship, and explore the evolving role of investors in supporting founders. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, this talk promises to inspire and ignite new ideas!
Susan Sly has been voted as one of the top female entrepreneurs in Artificial Intelligence in 2023 and voted by listed by RT Insights as one of the top 19 women to watch in 2024 in AI. She is the CEO and founder of ThePause.AI, former Co-CEO and Co-Founder of RadiusAI, a tech investor, and podcast host of the highly acclaimed show – Raw and Real
Entrepreneurship. She has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox, Lifetime Television, The CBN, The Morning Show in Australia and has been quoted in MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and more. She is a graduate of MIT Sloan.
Hamid Shojaee is an Arizona-based entrepreneur, founder of multiple tech companies, including GitKraken (exited), Pure Chat (exited), and his latest project, Earnings Hub, a go-to resource for real-time earnings info on public companies. With a deep love for investing in both public and private companies, Hamid actively manages a tech- and growth-focused portfolio, while also exploring the potential of new ventures, usually in the SaaS space. Outside of work, he’s passionate about sports, especially basketball, and enjoys traveling.
Genein Letford, M.Ed
Day 1 Session 6 - Brain Capital: The Hidden Art of True Innovation
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | November 12th 2024
This is the decade of the brain and the currency is creativity and health. In this keynote for the 10th PHX Startup Week, Genein will share the latest research on brain capital and how it affects our creativity, cultural development and curiosity. She will share implementable ways to increase these brain skills to empower your teams for a healthy journey of innovation.
Genein Letford, M.Ed As the 2019 LA Lakers Business Woman and the 2015 CA Charter Teacher of the Year, Genein is a national thought leader and creator of the concept of ‘Prismatic Leadership’, ‘Intercultural Creativity® and NeuroSomatic Creativity®’. She is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CAFFE Strategies, which is a consulting, coaching and training company that trains C-Suite executives and employees to create sustainable organizational inclusion strategies, based on neuroscience and the arts, while unleashing their innovative thinking for themselves and in their businesses.
Day 2 Wednesday - November 13th 2024
Jackie Lord
Day 2 Session 1 - Why Human Capital is the Key to Startup Success
9:00 am – 10:00 am | November 13th 2024
During this session, you’ll learn how to: – Hire and retain talent utilizing data – Exponentially grow your P&L by effectively leading your team – Build an A-Player team that can run circles around B/C-Player teams – Build a talent strategy instead of ending up with one on accident – Monetize your culture
Jackie Lord is a well-respected and sought-after trusted advisor to CEO’s and leadership teams of growth-focused businesses. She has over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 100 companies including Amazon, Boeing, and JP Morgan Chase to over 60 mid-size companies and start-ups.
She is the Founding Principal & CEO of Elevate Consulting Group, a firm dedicated to infusing the human element back into business. Leveraging laser-accurate data, she uses her personally developed process to get the right people in the right seats for radical scalability and growth.
Jackie attended UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and USC Marshall School of Business. She holds multiple degrees in Statistics, Business, and Entrepreneurship.
Drew Trojanowski
Day 2 Session 2 - Dual Use Technology and the DoD
10:00 am – 10:30 am | November 13th 2024
In this session, we will explore the concept of dual use technology—innovations that have both civilian and military applications—and its implications for the Department of Defense. As technological advancements accelerate, the DoD faces unique challenges and opportunities in managing these technologies effectively.
Drew Trojanowski is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (MAC). In this capacity, he is responsible for supporting mission-driven organizations and dual-use innovation to help solve the worlds most pressing challenges. Working to remove the barriers to entry and advance collaborations between entrepreneurs, industry, academic, venture and mission-driven national security partner networks in Arizona, nationwide, and worldwide.
Prior to joining MAC, Trojanowski was the Assistant Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, for Arizona State University (ASU). He led the development of a robust national security innovation network within the Department of Defense and defense industry for the university. Before joing ASU, Trojanowski was a Presidentially Commissioned Officer on the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC) and Special Assistant to the President (SAP). In these roles, he oversaw the departments of Defense, Veteran Affairs,
Labor and NASA. During his tenure, Trojanowski was the policy lead on three executive orders and 56 regulations.
Day 2 Session 3 - Opportunities from Limitations: The Story Behind Allergy Voyage
10:30 am – 11:00 am | November 14th 2024
Join speaker Tristan Tierce as he shares his entrepreneurial journey that began at ten months old after a life-threatening allergic reaction. Tristan shares how to create opportunities from limitations, whether mental or physical and how empathy provides a basis for entrepreneurship.
Tristan Tierce is a recent graduate of Barrett the Honors College at Arizona State University and the CEO / Founder of Allergy Voyage. Over the past three years, Tristan has been developing Allergy Voyage as a concierge service for users with dietary restrictions, helping them feel safer and confident when dining while simultaneously increasing restaurant revenue. Tristan is an active member of the Phoenix startup community, securing funding from ASU’s Venture Devils program, receiving the only dean’s medal for business entrepreneurship in his graduating class, and recently having highlights in publications like Allergic Living Magazine and the Phoenix Business Journal.
Sidnee Peck
Day 2 Session 4 - Cleantech for the People: Expanding Access to Affordable Solutions
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | November 13th 2024
A must-attend panel exploring how local startups and organizations can join forces to make clean energy more affordable and accessible in Arizona. With insights from Rayva, AriSEIA, and other cleantech pioneers, we’ll dive into strategies and approaches that position Arizona as a trailblazer in the renewables sector. Discover how collaborative efforts in the local cleantech ecosystem are shaping a sustainable future for our communities—and how you can be part of it.
Sidnee Peck is a fractional COO for multiple startup companies in FemTech, healthcare, and housing & community development and is a multi-time founder in healthcare and housing. Peck previously served as an executive for mid-stage startup, SOURCE Global, PBC, an Arizona renewable technology firm, driving deployment to over 50 countries.
She serves on the board for yesAZ, a startup community nonprofit, HCCI, a home-based primary care non-profit, and Alaris, a technology company she helped to co-found.
She is the former CEO of SMART Brain Aging, Inc. a healthcare technology company focused on dementia and was awarded the Arizona Innovation Challenge as well as PBJ 40 Under 40 in 2016. She served as an instructor of entrepreneurship at the W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU for nine years, where she also launched the Center for Entrepreneurship in 2014. She has her bachelor’s in accountancy from the University of New Mexico and her MBA from the W. P. Carey School of Business.
Ms. Peck is an advocate for the health of women – leading FemTech initiatives in Arizona and beyond, and for children and families in the foster care system and aging populations – she believes strongly in access to housing, healthcare and basic resources for vulnerable humans.
Lynne Nethken – As Founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer of Rayva, Lynne leverages her expertise in engineering and market dynamics to help push the boundaries of what’s possible in the solar industry. She also has extensive experience leading both large and small teams through complex engineering and product development challenges to include SpaceX’s Hyperloop, US Department of Energy’s EcoCar3, AIoT technologies, and more. Lynne is a Systems Engineering PhD student and a prior National Science Foundation National Research Trainee Fellow for Citizen Centered Smart Cities and Smart Living at Arizona State University. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Robotics Engineering and Master’s in Systems Engineering at ASU.
Autumn T. Johnson is driven by a personal mission to advance the public interest, with her work focusing on the advancement of clean energy, moving the power sector away from fossil-fueled resources, transportation electrification, and developing regulatory and statutory mechanisms to address climate change. She is a proud clean energy advocate and has 17 years of experience in environmental law and policy, including 8 years in energy. She completed her BA from the University of Arizona, a JD from the University of Oregon, an MBA from Seattle University. In addition to her role as Executive Director of AriSEIA and serving as their General Council, she is the CEO of Tierra Strategy, a public interest policy advocacy and consulting firm.
Lunch Break
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Day 2 Session 5 - Healthtech Horizons: Unlocking the Next Generation of Healthcare Innovation
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | November 13th 2024
This dynamic discussion features leading voices in healthtech innovation to discuss the transformative power of technology in shaping the future of healthcare. This panel brings together a diverse group of perspectives – a cutting-edge startup, a forward-thinking institution, and an experienced investor to share insights on the opportunities and challenges in the industry. Topics will include the differences between hardware and software ventures, where capital is flowing, and navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.
Ayah Hamdan was born and raised in the Bay Area, having a front row seat to Silicon Valley’s tech and innovation growth. Ayah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. While at Harvard Ayah launched her own startup through the iLab called Fatima Connect, which was a consulting and implementation service focused on bridging digital health solutions to refugee women users. Ayah also previously served in a leadership role at Carbon Health during their Series B to C growth stage, launching the country’s largest COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites. Currently, she is the Head of Health at Plug and Play ventures, driving their early-stage digital health investments and corporate partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, health systems, and key healthcare industry stakeholders.
Panelist: Dave Corsaro
Dave Corsaro is a Corporate Partnerships Manager at Plug and Play Arizona, focusing on bringing innovation across Arizona by connecting investors, startups, and corporations. Dave started his career in the automotive industry in Los Angeles, leading marketing for Toyota and Lexus. However, his interest in startups led him to join the go-to-market team for an electric vehicle startup, Faraday Future, where he found his passion for innovation. He further expanded his experience by working at Techstars as an associate before venturing into entrepreneurship with his product design company. Dave’s mission in life is to connect with people and figure out how to help them. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring his culinary skills.
Panelist: Ayushi Patel
Ayushi is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur with a background in clinical neuroscience, brain health, and performance. She is the co-Founder & CEO of CenSyn. CenSyn is venture-backed digital MedTech startup whose mission is to improve brain health screening in and out of hospital through its one-of-a-kind PenEEGTM platform. Ayushi is a biomedical engineer from University of California, Irvine where she focused on clinical neuroscience research and led multiple independent projects studying brain injuries in collaboration with UCI School of Medicine and Beckman Laser Institute.
Panelist: Jerrold M. Jackson
Jerrold M. Jackson, PhD is a seasoned data and technology executive with over 15 years of experience across healthcare, wellness, and financial services. He has led globally distributed and market facing data and technology efforts at large and mid-sized companies, as well as a variety of start-ups across multiple industries. Currently Dr. Jackson is Director, Partner Enablement at Mayo Clinic Platform. Prior to Mayo Clinic he was Chief Operating Officer at AIM7, Operating Partner at Synergistic Capital Partners, Advisor & Board Member with Synergistic Health Systems, Head/VP of Data & Machine Learning at Exos, and CEO at SHREDmill. Clinically, Dr. Jackson was a psychotherapist in Outpatient Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Mark Paratore
Day 2 Session 6 - AI in Government & Smart Cities
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | November 13th 2024
This session dives into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in government and smart city initiatives. Discover how AI-driven technologies enhance urban planning, improve public safety, and streamline services, creating more responsive and sustainable communities. Explore the benefits, challenges, and future possibilities of AI as it reshapes the interaction between government and citizens, driving efficiency and innovation in public spaces.
Mark Paratore joined the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) team in April 2020 and serves as Vice President of Business Development. Mark’s primary role is on the advancement of the technology sector and the infusion of venture capital for one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the country. Mark focuses on being a connection point for companies to establish their footprint, test their innovation and scale in a robust ecosystem.
Mark obtained a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning at Arizona State University in 2010 where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Mark has spent over a decade in economic development, working for the City of Glendale and most recently, the City of Scottsdale, where he was on the business development team. Mark is passionate about community building, arts & culture and giving back as much as he can.
Hamed Rabah is an Arizona local and COO of Abel, where he is applying computer vision to analyzing police body camera footage and help assist law enforcement with paperwork and the shortage of police. Prior to Abel, Hamed founded an AI music app that he grew to 1M users, worked at Axon building police software, and worked at Microsoft as a product manager for Microsoft Teams.
Isaiah Lopez is the CEO of OZO, where he is revolutionizing 911 operations with AI solutions to solve staffing shortages and increase community safety. Inspired by personal experiences with neighborhood violence, Isaiah pioneered safety technology for American Express and the U.S. Department of Defense, protecting 50 million users worldwide.
Hamed Rabah
Isaiah Lopez
Day 2 Session 6 - AI in Government & Smart Cities
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | November 13th 2024
This session dives into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in government and smart city initiatives. Discover how AI-driven technologies enhance urban planning, improve public safety, and streamline services, creating more responsive and sustainable communities. Explore the benefits, challenges, and future possibilities of AI as it reshapes the interaction between government and citizens, driving efficiency and innovation in public spaces.
Hamed Rabah is an Arizona local and COO of Abel, where he is applying computer vision to analyzing police body camera footage and help assist law enforcement with paperwork and the shortage of police. Prior to Abel, Hamed founded an AI music app that he grew to 1M users, worked at Axon building police software, and worked at Microsoft as a product manager for Microsoft Teams.
Isaiah Lopez is the CEO of OZO, where he is revolutionizing 911 operations with AI solutions to solve staffing shortages and increase community safety. Inspired by personal experiences with neighborhood violence, Isaiah pioneered safety technology for American Express and the U.S. Department of Defense, protecting 50 million users worldwide.
Sean Lindy
Day 2 Session 7 - Investment Insights: Navigating the Future with Industry Leaders
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | November 13th 2024
Join us for an engaging session featuring three prominent investors: Sean Lindy, Chris Chumley, and Greg Head. Each of these industry veterans brings a wealth of experience and unique perspectives on investment strategies, market trends, and the future of entrepreneurship.
Sean Lindy A seasoned venture capitalist known for his keen eye for disruptive technologies and innovative startups. Sean will share insights on emerging sectors and what he looks for when evaluating potential investments.
Greg Head is a 30-year software industry veteran who was part of the startup-to-scale journeys of three different CRM software companies, including one IPO. He is now an active educator, speaker, advisor, and podcast host who helps founders of SaaS software startups worldwide.
Chris Chumley – With a background in private equity and strategic growth, Chris specializes in scaling businesses. He will discuss effective growth strategies and the importance of sustainable practices in investment decisions.
Thursday - November 14th 2024
Jaye O’Donnell
Opening Remarks Jaye O’Donnell
8:45 am | November 12th 2024
Kick off the final day of PHX Startup Week with a special welcome from Jaye O’Donnell is the City of Mesa Economic Development Director. Mesa is proud to be serving as the host city this year and has been a partner in organizing and activating our event.
Jaye O’Donnell is the City of Mesa Economic Development Director. She leads a team of 15 professionals focused on business attraction, retention and expansion; small business and entrepreneurship; redevelopment and revitalization; and workforce development in Mesa, Arizona, the 36th largest city in the country. O’Donnell’s mission is to grow the local economy, primarily through the expansion of Mesa’s industries of opportunity – Healthcare, Education, Aerospace, Tourism and Technology (HEAT).
In her previous role as Assistant Economic Development Director, Jaye led Mesa CARES Small Business Reemergence Program, Mesa’s higher education recruitment initiative, and the strategic planning process for Office of Economic Development – four plans over 13 years. She also coordinated the branding process and launches of both the Falcon District and the Asian District, Mesa, AZ, efforts to elevate the employment districts and bolster business and commercial development. She is an active member of the Arizona Association for Economic Development Board of Directors and the Visit Mesa Board of Directors.
Peter Schirripa
Day 3 Session 1 - The Importance of Having a Consistent Sales Process
9:00 am – 10:00 am| November 14th 2024
Once the time comes to build and scale a sales team, having a consistent sales process is paramount to your predictable revenue. We will talk through best practices, pitfalls, and a few sample sales processes. The more deliberate of an approach your reps take to pitching your product, the easier it is to coach and incorporate necessary changes.
Peter Schirripa has been overseeing Inside Sales at ZipRecruiter (ZIP:NYSE) for almost 8 years, overseeing a team of ~300 Reps, Managers, and Directors. Prior to ZipRecruiter, Peter spent 5 years at Groupon in a very similar role.
Day 3 Session 2 - Building a Better Future with Sustainable Technologies
10:00 am – 11:00 am | November 14th 2024
Hear from experts in the solar, carbon capture/conversion, carbon-based battery, and energy policy industries as they discuss technologies and policy pathways to build a more sustainable future, create impactful organizations, and reduce risk in one of humanity’s most pivotal eras.
Kris Saunders is the CEO/Founder of extendEV, building a mobile power & charging system to extend range for EV pickup trucks, solving the “Range Drain” effect of towing/hauling with an EV. He is deeply passionate about electrifying our transportation industry, climate tech, and ending out of control wildfires.
Panelist: Serhii Kaminskyi
Serhii is founder and CEO of SorbiForce, a U.S. TOP-5 battery startup, and advocates for the philosophy of a New Civilization through advanced science and technology. His company is developing the world’s first non-metal sustainable battery, using renewable materials and electro-sorption technology. With a focus on scalability and local production, Serhii aims to offer cost-effective energy solutions that align with sustainability principles, driving a transformative shift in the energy storage market.
Panelist: Cody Van Cleve
Cody is a Co-Founder of SunFlex Solar, an R&D company working on advanced technologies to enable more powerful, aesthetic, and flexible solar modules. Cody firmly believes that decarbonization and sustainability need to be on the forefront of our efforts in every industry, and that a lower-carbon world must be urgently created by visionary leaders and businesses.
Panelist: Jay Foster
Jay is the CEO of Carbon Utility, capturing and converting atmospheric CO2 into valuable low emission products to lower hard-to-abate emissions by replacing fossil fuels.
Panelist: Mac Wodicker
Mac has devoted his career to supporting the global energy transition to a net-zero carbon economy in an equitable, affordable, and technically feasible way. Mac has a variety of experiences in the climate-and-energy research space; energy policy and regulation, electric vehicle adoption and management, GHG emissions modeling, and community engagement. He currently is a technical lead on the Arizona Governor Office of Resiliency’s Climate Action Plan project, funded by the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
Aly Saxe
Maggie Sanchez
Day 3 Session 3 - Getting Women into Venture: The Key to Diversity in Funding
11:00 am – 12:00 am | November 14th 2024
This session addresses the critical role of women in venture capital and how increasing their presence is essential for fostering diversity and innovation in funding. Explore strategies for empowering women to enter the venture space, the unique perspectives they bring to investment decisions, and the impact of gender diversity on startups and the broader economy. Learn how inclusive funding practices drive sustainable growth and create opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Aly Saxe – Aly is a leader, founder, and community builder in the Phoenix tech community with enough wins and enough failures to know how to help companies get to market and scale. From an executive at a global MarComm agency, to PR agency owner, to software startup founder & CEO, Aly’s experience spans many core specialties in company building. She loves helping startups get off the ground and to their first $1M. She’s also passionate about getting more women into venture capital, with a goal of 50% female participation across the board.
Maggie Sanchez is a seasoned global management executive and tech entrepreneur turned Social Impact Investor & Talent Leader. She has diverse experience across a broad spectrum of sectors and businesses of varying size, including Fortune 1000 companies (Microsoft, IBM, Vodafone), digital startups (myCircle, ISPN), and non-profit stewardship at the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics Committee. Throughout her career, she’s focused on driving innovation, igniting talent, and delivering breakthrough results.
Presently, Maggie has a portfolio of career advising, sitting on boards, investing, coaching CEOs, and curating educational programs to transform human potential. My clients cut across multiple industries with a focus on economic development and building strong communities in tech, venture capital, and higher education ecosystems.
Maggie is passionate about elevating the success of others, with an emphasis on closing the gender and diversity gap in the innovation economy.
Lunch Break
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Greg Gautam
Dan Mahoney
Day 3 Session 4 - Startup Legal Basics
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | November 14th 2024
Snell & Wilmer partners Greg Gautam and Dan Mahoney will lead a conversation focusing on important financing and executive compensation concepts for startup companies and their founders. In their remarks, Dan and Greg will touch on, among other things, common ways to raise capital, the elements of an executive compensation and equity compensation package, key governance concepts and common early missteps (and how to avoid them).
Greg Gautam is a transactional partner that focuses his practice on various areas of employee benefits, including the design of executive compensation programs, qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare plans. A significant portion of Greg’s time is spent advising clients on the benefits and compensation issues that arise in a wide array of complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private equity and venture capital transactions, equity and debt financing, and recapitalizations. Greg is recognized by Best Lawyers in America ® in the areas of Employment Law – Management and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business® in the area of Employee Benefits, as a Southwest Super Lawyers® in the area of Employee Benefits, as well as by Phoenix Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree.
Dan Mahoney advises businesses and corporate boards in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities, private equity, venture capital, and corporate law. Dan’s clients operate in a variety of industries such as biotechnology and life science, software, Internet, technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, and transportation. He regularly represents clients ranging from emerging growth companies, including those seeking venture capital to large publicly held corporations. Dan is co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s venture capital and private equity industry group and is a frequent writer on issues related to venture capital, licensing, securities, and corporate law. He is recognized by his peers from a number of national publications including Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®, and Southwest Super Lawyers®. In 2016, he was selected as a Top 50 Lawyer in Arizona by Best Lawyers in America® and in 2013, named Lawyer of the Year in venture capital law by Southwest Super Lawyers®.
Vicki Mayo
Day 3 Session 5 - Tech That Fits: Innovations in Wearable Devices
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | November 14th 2024
Participants of this session will gain exclusive insights into the future of wearables, including trends that are shaping the industry and real-world applications that are improving lives. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a health professional, or simply curious about the latest gadgets, this session will inspire you with the potential of technology that truly fits into our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the latest trends in wearable technology
- Insights into design and functionality that enhance user experience
- Exploration of real-world applications and their impact on health and wellness
- Future predictions for the wearable tech landscape
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a pioneer in the field and see how technology can seamlessly integrate into our daily lives!
Vicki Mayo, CEO and founder of Phoenix-based GMI for the past eight years, is the
definition of a strong female in business. Mayo started her first business at 14, and she
was a forerunner to Expedia, focusing on travel to the Sedona, Arizona, area. At 20, she
made a life-changing decision to adopt two children abandoned by their parents. This life
choice crystallized Mayo’s entrepreneurial spirit. She took a risk that caused her parents
to disown her and lose her spot on the Olympic horseback riding team. With no familial
support, Mayo leaned into her business skills, building several businesses across
hospitality, finance, business process outsourcing, and healthcare technology. Eventually,
GMI was built and grew into the company it is today. Mayo holds a BA degree in Political
Science and Hospitality Administration from Northern Arizona University.
Moderator: Katie Sieker
Clate Mask
Day 3 Session 6 - Building Business with Heart: A Fireside Chat with Clate Mask
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | November 14th 2024
Join us for an inspiring fireside chat with Clate Mask, co-founder and CEO of Keap, as we explore the intersection of passion and entrepreneurship. In this engaging session, Clate will share his journey of building a successful business while staying true to his core values.
Discover how prioritizing people, purpose, and heart can drive sustainable growth and foster a thriving company culture. Clate will discuss practical strategies for integrating empathy and authenticity into your business model, as well as the importance of customer relationships in today’s marketplace.
This is a unique opportunity to gain insights from a leader who believes that businesses can be both profitable and purpose-driven. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, come ready to be inspired and equipped with actionable takeaways to build your own business with heart.
Clate Mask NY Times best-selling author, Clate Mask, is the entrepreneur’s guide and the CEO and co-founder of Keap, the leader in small business automation software. Keap is an 8-time Inc 5000 winner and is widely used by savvy small businesses to grow with automation. Clate’s passion is helping small businesses conquer the chaos and grow their business using the Six Keys to Success. When Clate isn’t serving entrepreneurs and building Keap, he loves to spend time with his wife, Charisse, their six kids, and their grandkids. He also loves playing golf and watching sports, with serious passion for the Arizona pro sports teams. He is intimately familiar with the balancing act of entrepreneurs, which is what drove him to discover and teach the Six Keys. Because success as an entrepreneur means having a great business and a great life.
Sandra Watson
Closing Remarks to Startup Week
4:00 pm | November 14th 2024
Join us for the closing remarks delivered by Sandra Watson, CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and a dedicated sponsor of the event for many years. As a champion for Arizona’s startup ecosystem, Sandra has been a pivotal force in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the State.
During this session, Sandra will share some groundbreaking news that will shape the future of startups in Arizona, offering new opportunities, resources, and support for entrepreneurs to thrive. Be sure to join us for this momentous occasion as we wrap up an incredible week of innovation, inspiration, and connection at PHX Startup Week!
Sandra Watson – President & CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority
Sandra Watson is an economic development professional with over 30 years of leadership experience in business attraction and expansion, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic policy and workforce development. She and her teams have worked with more than 1,291 companies that have committed to creating more than 291,000 quality jobs and investing more than $166 billion in capital in the state.
Currently, Ms. Watson serves as the President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), a public-private partnership that leads statewide economic development. The unique structure of the ACA brings together leaders from private industry, academia and all three branches of state government. In addition to leading the ACA and serving on its Board of Directors, Ms. Watson serves on Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs’ leadership team as her Senior Economic Policy Advisor.