Sponsored Launch

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation collaborates with community organizations to provide a sponsored year at the incubator plus cash prizes through a competitive process.  Several deserving startups have capitalized on this opportunity, taking their idea of how to solve a significant business or social challenge to the next level by launching their business with UACI support.   

Sponsored Launch was created to provide more opportunities for startups to successfully launch into the marketplace, while also raising community awareness around the importance of providing support for entrepreneurs at the local level. The Sponsored Launch programs provides a platform for organizations and municipalities to invest in small businesses while also receiving acknowledgement of their goodwill.  This unique partnership between the incubator and community allows us to make more of an impact by expanding offerings and stretching resources out to the community.  

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is a startup incubator network with outposts across the Southern Arizona region and a mission to grow scalable startup ventures that fuel the Arizona economy. Since inception in 2003, the program has directly served over 300 companies and impacted thousands of entrepreneurs. This is done through providing access to people, programming and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market.  

 

Sponsored Launch Fueled by the Oro Valley Chamber & the Town of Oro Valley

Through a collaboration between the Oro Valley Chamber and UACI, the Oro Valley Chamber is sponsoring a year at the Oro Valley incubator for one deserving startup to be apart of the state of the art UACI incubator. The sponsored company will have a committed team working to solve a significant challenge in the life sciences, with a clear plan on achieving relevant products and services as a member of the southern Arizona life science ecosystem. The total prize package is valued at $10,000.

Applications are open through August 14, 2026.

Timeline
July 13, 2026 - August 14, 2026: Opportunity open for applications 
August 17, 2026 - August 21, 2026: Judging evaluation and applicant interviews 
August 24, 2026: Winning startup announced 
September 2026 - September 2027: Team participation in the UACI program, companies occupies space at UACI at Oro Valley (company must confirm their date of occupation within 30 days of contract execution) 

Eligibility
·     The startup exists/operates in Northwest Tucson and can take advantage of UACI Oro Valley space and programming OR 
·     The startup is willing to relocate to Northwest Tucson to take advantage of UACI Oro Valley space and programming during the participation time frame (company must confirm their date of space occupation within 30 days of their contract execution) 

·     The startup team can take advantage of UACI programming  
·     The startup is pursuing an innovative solution to a significant challenge in the life sciences 
·     The team has a strong overall commitment to commercializing their innovation 
·     The team should demonstrate a need for incubation services  
·     The team is making a significant difference in our local and global communities through innovation 
·     The team must have at least two founders or team members contributing significant efforts and time to the startup 
·     Not applicable for startups based on University of Arizona IP 
 
Submission Package
·     Application Web Form (link below) 
·     Summary Slide (email to acampas@uaci.com) 
 
Terms & Conditions
·     The winning company will join the Oro Valley Chamber as a condition of award (if not already) 
·     The winning company will provide quarterly updates on business development to the Oro Valley Chamber 
·     The winning team agrees to participate in the development of Oro Valley Chamber promotional materials 
·     The winning team occupies physical space at UACI at Oro Valley Incubator (date of occupation must be confirmed within 30 days of contract execution) 

Applications will open soon   

---