Businesses across Chandler may be nervous about how the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact but local business counselors say there are many resources available that can help companies persevere during this tumultuous time.
About 90 percent of the city’s businesses expect the pandemic to impact their operations, according to a recent poll done by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. Many businesses told the Chamber they might have to temporarily close and are looking for financial relief to keep their doors open. Chandler Innovations, a program that helps local entrepreneurs launch their business, is looking to assist Chandler’s business community by offering mentorship and steering companies to helpful resources. CEO Diana White and Tom Fulcher, the organization’s entrepreneur-in-residence, shared their thoughts with the Chandler Arizonan.
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Diana White, CEO of Chandler Innovations, a technology-focused business incubator and idea accelerator, is gearing up for any invention the next generation can come up with.
The company has launched its new Jr. Track education and mentorship program, which helps lead high school students through the process of finding a problem or need, identifying a solution and developing their concept until it becomes a marketable prototype. A group of 9th and 10th graders from Arizona College Prep Academy partnered with Chandler Innovations recently while working on a STEM project. “They are creating a prototype for detecting heatstroke,” said White, who organized the after-school classes with their science teacher, Rachna Nath. The students will meet for 12 weeks with experienced entrepreneurs and business strategists who will guide them towards realizing their vision. White hopes to draw the attention of more schools and corporations potentially hiring the graduates later on. CHANDLER, Ariz. - In the heart of Downtown Chandler, entrepreneurs will find the Arizona State University Chandler Innovative Center. Established in 2013, ACIC pairs up start-up centric programming and resources with a one-of-a-kind workspace.
"We have resources, we have mentors, we can help you every step of the way, but you are really going to have to put in the work and that weeds out people who are ready, versus people who are not ready," said CEO Diana White. White, a businesswoman herself, describes the Chandler Innovations incubator as a community or one-stop-shop for companies, founders and entrepreneurs who live, work, or own property in Chandler that have innovative ideas. Two Chandler Innovations Companies in the Semi Finals for the 2019 ARIZONA INNOVATION CHALLENGE10/31/2019 PHOENIX, AZ (October 31, 2019) — The Arizona Commerce Authority announced today that semifinalists have been selected in the Fall 2019 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). The competition is among the largest in the country and designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by helping early-stage ventures scale.
“Arizona continues to receive global recognition for our strengths in innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO. “The ACA is thrilled to play a leading role in advancing our ecosystem through programs like the Arizona Innovation Challenge, which consistently identifies the most promising early-stage tech companies throughout the state. Congratulations to this impressive group of semifinalists – we wish you all the best of luck in the next round of the competition!” Chandler on the list of 11 US cities poised to be the next hot spot for start-ups CNBC.com10/23/2019
Chandler is the latest Phoenix-area city to update its brand by Paulina Pineda, Arizona Republic4/25/2019
Former TechShop reopens under ASU management by Colleen Sparks, Managing Editor, SanTan Sun News2/20/2019
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