(August 7, 2025) -- Arizona is set to host its first-ever decentralized tech conference, designed to spotlight the state’s fast-growing innovation ecosystem and attract investors, startups, and global tech leaders.
Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), in partnership with the Arizona Venture Alliance (AVA), announced plans this week for Arizona Tech Week, scheduled for April 6–12, 2026. Unlike traditional conferences held under one roof, Tech Week will unfold across multiple cities — including Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff — in a weeklong series of events designed to connect entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and thought leaders from around the world.
The inaugural event is projected to draw 25,000 participants, including 5,000 investors, 10,000 startup representatives, and 10,000 influencers. Activities will include keynote panels, pitch competitions, hackathons, curated networking engagements, and citywide meetups highlighting Arizona’s diverse innovation districts.
“This is an opportunity to experience an ecosystem, not just sit in a single conference hall,” said Katie Sieker, ACA’s senior vice president of venture partnerships. “Attendees will get a true sense of Arizona’s tech community and everything it has to offer.”
A New Model for Tech Conferences
Arizona Tech Week will function more like a tech festival than a traditional conference. Independent events — from intimate dinners to large-scale conferences — will be hosted by startup founders, venture firms, and ecosystem partners, all connected via a shared online calendar. Most events will be free, with some charging a registration fee.
The ACA will coordinate event submissions and scheduling via Partiful, a platform already used for similar Tech Weeks in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. A full schedule of approved events will be published in early 2026, allowing attendees to filter activities by location, interest, and date.
Years in the Making
Planning for Tech Week began over a year ago after Arizona tech leaders participated in similar events in other cities. The initiative aligns with AVA’s bold goal to catalyze $10 billion in startup funding, help launch 10 unicorns, and attract 100 relocating startups by 2027.
“We realized that to reach those goals, we need to actively bring the venture capital world to Arizona,” Sieker said. “Many don’t yet understand how diverse and dynamic our state’s tech ecosystem has become. This week is our chance to showcase that.”
Spotlight on Biosciences
The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) — a 30-acre innovation district in downtown Phoenix — will be among the focal points of the event. PBC plans to highlight Arizona’s emerging biotech and health tech companies through partnerships with FemTech AZ, Venture Café, and other organizations. Programming will include panel discussions with investors and innovators, Ted Talk-style presentations, workshops, and mentor hours.
“An event of this magnitude is only possible with support from Arizona’s entire ecosystem,” said Scarlett Spring, executive director of PBC. “We’re proud to help bring this idea to life and showcase what our bio and tech communities have to offer.”
Building Momentum for Arizona’s Tech Future
Throughout the week, venture capital firms are expected to host LP meetings, at least three pitch competitions will take place, and numerous independently organized events will help build bridges between founders and funders.
Sieker says the enthusiasm among Arizona’s tech community is palpable.
“I’ve been here for a decade, and in that time our tech ecosystem has transformed,” she said. “Arizona Tech Week is our opportunity to shine — to show investors, startups, and the world just how far we’ve come.”