Phoenix, February 14, 2026
Arizona is hosting its inaugural Tech Week, a decentralized conference that showcases the state’s growing technology sector. Organized by the Arizona Commerce Authority, the event spans from April 6-12 and is set to feature over 100 events across cities like Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson. This initiative aims to foster collaboration among innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors, promoting Arizona as a global hub for technology and innovation.
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Tech Week: Innovation Takes Center Stage Statewide
Arizona is set to host its inaugural Tech Week, a decentralized, statewide conference organized by the Arizona Commerce Authority. This event highlights the state’s burgeoning technology sector, showcasing entrepreneurial spirit and fostering collaboration across diverse industries and communities.
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) recently launched the event calendar for the first-ever Arizona Tech Week, scheduled for April 6-12, 2026. This landmark initiative aims to bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to strengthen Arizona’s position as a global innovation hub. The week-long celebration is designed to be a comprehensive showcase of the state’s dynamic tech ecosystem, reflecting significant investment and a growing talent pool. Arizona’s innovation economy is expanding rapidly, with global tech leaders increasingly investing in the state.
A Statewide Celebration of Ingenuity
Arizona Tech Week 2026 is distinguished by its decentralized model, which means events will take place in various locations across the state rather than being confined to a single venue. This approach empowers the local tech community to host affiliated events through a host-managed approval process. The Arizona Commerce Authority, as the presenting host, is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and approving event submissions. Over 100 events are already featured on the calendar, highlighting the breadth of technological activity across Arizona.
The week promises a diverse array of activities and discussions. Examples include tech talks at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, STEM pitches in Yuma, AI discussions in Cottonwood’s wine country, and patient-centered health discussions in Tucson. Phoenix will host notable events such as Venture Madness, an annual venture capital conference, and an Innovation Expo by Plug and Play accelerateAZ. Moonshot will also host its “Tech Innovation with an Altitude” event in Flagstaff. This distributed event model ensures that the spotlight on innovation extends to different corners of Arizona, offering attendees a firsthand look at groundbreaking developments.
Catalyst for Entrepreneurial Growth
The Arizona Commerce Authority powers Arizona Tech Week in partnership with the Arizona Venture Alliance, a coalition of investors, startups, and tech ecosystem leaders. This collaboration aims to advance opportunities for Arizona-based startups and entrepreneurs, working to increase funding for Arizona startups and enhance deal flow for investors. The state provides a range of resources and programs designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. These initiatives include the Arizona Innovation Challenge, one of the largest business competitions in the country, which rewards companies advancing innovation and developing new technologies.
Further support for entrepreneurial innovation comes through programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) initiatives. These federal funding mechanisms are critical for small businesses engaged in research and development. The Arizona Commerce Authority facilitates access to these grants, providing resources to assist businesses in applying. The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, for instance, provides funding to technology-based economic development entities to enhance the competitiveness of startups and small businesses for SBIR/STTR proposals. Arizona’s commitment to expanding access to capital and fostering an ecosystem that supports new startups is a key driver of its economic vitality.
Arizona’s Thriving Tech Landscape
Arizona’s technology sector is a significant contributor to the state’s economic growth. In 2025, Arizona’s gross state product (GSP) reached $445.0 billion, with a growth of 4.0% over the preceding five years. The state boasts 204,161 tech jobs, with a 3.5% increase in the tech workforce over the past year. This growth is fueled by substantial investment, including $2.1 billion in AI-related venture investment across 203 deals since 2019. Phoenix is recognized as a leading global data-center market, with 164 existing data centers and an additional 149 facilities planned or under construction.
The state has seen significant enhancements to its infrastructure, becoming a premier hub for technologies driving the future, from semiconductors and AI to renewable energy and automated vehicles. Major companies have invested billions in new facilities, such as a $12 billion semiconductor fab in Phoenix that will create 1,600 permanent high-tech jobs and thousands of indirect jobs. Another company announced a $20 billion investment into the state with two new semiconductor fabs, adding 3,000 new high-tech jobs. These investments and strategic partnerships highlight Arizona’s momentum as a connected global tech hub.
Fostering a Pro-Innovation Environment
The success of Arizona’s tech sector is underpinned by an environment that champions entrepreneurial innovation and smart policies. States that embrace pro-innovation rules and robust digital infrastructure are better positioned to attract jobs and investment. Technology empowers small businesses, enabling them to compete effectively with larger companies, manage inflation, and improve access to capital. A recent report indicated that 64% of small businesses in Arizona utilize technology platforms effectively. The decentralized structure of Arizona Tech Week itself exemplifies an innovative approach, empowering the tech community to drive engagement and showcase diverse innovations across the state.
Arizona continues to cultivate a business climate designed to allow opportunity and innovation to flourish. This dedication extends to various support structures aimed at maintaining robust business health and ensuring small business owners have access to crucial capital. Such an environment fosters resilience and creates opportunities for all, driving job creation and overall economic success.
Arizona Tech Week 2026 is poised to be a pivotal event, bringing together the brightest minds and most ambitious ventures from across the state and beyond. As Phoenix and the wider Arizona community continue to build on this momentum, supporting local businesses, engaging with innovative startups, and participating in events like Tech Week will be crucial. Stay engaged in Phoenix’s economic future and explore the numerous opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona Tech Week 2026
- What is Arizona Tech Week 2026?
- Arizona Tech Week 2026 is the state’s inaugural decentralized tech conference, organized by the Arizona Commerce Authority and Arizona Venture Alliance. It aims to showcase Arizona’s technology leadership and foster collaboration among innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.
- When and where will Arizona Tech Week 2026 take place?
- Arizona Tech Week 2026 will take place from April 6-12, 2026, in locations across the state of Arizona. It is a decentralized event, featuring activities in cities like Phoenix, Flagstaff, Yuma, Cottonwood, and Tucson.
- Who is organizing Arizona Tech Week 2026?
- The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the presenting host and organizing partner for Arizona Tech Week, in partnership with the Arizona Venture Alliance.
- What types of events can be expected during Arizona Tech Week?
- The event calendar features over 100 events, including tech talks, STEM pitches, AI discussions, pitch competitions, social networking engagements, and site tours. Events will cover various topics such as bioengineering, space technologies, sustainability, and health innovation.
- What is the estimated attendance for Arizona Tech Week 2026?
- Arizona Tech Week is estimated to attract 25,000 participants, including 10,000 startups, 5,000 investors, and 10,000 influencers.
Key Features of Arizona Tech Week 2026
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | April 6-12, 2026 | State-level |
| Organizers | Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and Arizona Venture Alliance (AVA) | State-level |
| Event Model | Decentralized, with over 100 events across various cities | State-level |
| Estimated Participants | 25,000 (including 10,000 startups, 5,000 investors, 10,000 influencers) | State-level |
| Focus Areas | Tech talks, STEM pitches, AI discussions, pitch competitions, bioengineering, space technologies, sustainability, health innovation | State-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
