Startups from Funding to Community w/ Daniela Santagelo

of Freeway

- AZ TRT S06 EP15 (277) 8-17-2025

What We Learned This Week:

• Freeway - Helping Startups - Talent • Capital • Community
• Talent Retention & Reinvestment are key to building a Flywheel
• Phoenix Tech Ecosystem is growing, but not yet mature
• Always need more VC Funding + Deal Flow
• Government Partnership as enabler for Tech

Guest: Daniela Santagelo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielaalpert/

I'm a founder, startup ecosystem builder, and civic innovation partner working at the intersection of tech, talent, and community. Through my work with Freeway Phx, I help cities, startups, and global partners co-create thriving innovation ecosystems, starting in Arizona and building bridges worldwide. I believe that opportunity doesn't just happen. It's designed. That's why I focus on activating communities, cultivating tech talent, and building connective infrastructure that turns vision into velocity. My journey spans founding multiple companies including scaling a venture-backed startup to $33M in funding and helping grow it to a $100M business. I've also spent 15 years in the Moving & Relocation industry, which gave me a unique lens on talent migration patterns and the infrastructure needed to build resilient, people-first startup communities. Like many founders, I've experienced both the highs of scaling and the lows of setback. That reinvention shaped my sharper mission: helping founders grow and give back. ⚡️ I lead Tech Talent Summits that connect employers, educators, and jobseekers🌍 I support global delegations and help founders expand across borders🧭 I advise founders on story, capital, and strategy with a human-first, results-driven approach Whether I'm building public-private partnerships, launching a new venture, or guiding a founder through their next chapter, I care about building with legacy, community, and courage. Let's co-create what's next!

[email protected]

freewayphx.com

We're your community partner in building a modern workforce

Whether you're hiring, scaling, or making a career move, Freeway connects the dots that job boards and pipelines can't.

Here are 5 main ideas learned from the podcast:

1. Phoenix's Tech Ecosystem Is Growing but Not Yet Mature

Phoenix is showing strong momentum with new funding, company relocations, and sector growth (microchips, AI, defense, and health tech), but it hasn't reached critical mass compared to cities like Austin or Miami. The region still needs more deal flow, successful exits, and reinvestment from local founders to sustain long-term growth.

2. Talent Retention and Reinvestment Are Key to Building a Flywheel

A major challenge is the "brain drain" — founders and investors leaving after exits. For Phoenix to thrive, successful entrepreneurs must stay, mentor others, and reinvest profits locally. This recycled success (the "flywheel effect") is essential for building a lasting innovation community.

3. Public-Private Partnerships Strengthen the Ecosystem

Collaboration between government, universities, investors, and entrepreneurs (through groups like ACA, GPEC, and Southwest MAC) is crucial. While government can enable infrastructure, real progress happens when private founders lead and public institutions act as supporters or "feeders."

4. Culture and Community Matter as Much as Capital

Brad Feld's "Startup Communities" framework highlights that strong ecosystems are entrepreneur-led, mentorship-driven, and collaborative. A culture of "give first" — where leaders help others without expecting immediate returns — builds trust and long-term strength within the community.

5. Phoenix Has a Clear Opportunity to Become a Major Tech Hub by 2030

With major investments (like Hadrian's $200M AI factory) and an influx of talent from higher-cost states, Phoenix is positioned for rapid growth. If local leaders stay committed to developing talent, attracting capital, and telling the city's tech story effectively, it can emerge as a leading innovation center in the next decade.

Notes: Building a Thriving Tech Ecosystem in Phoenix Segment 1: The Phoenix Tech Landscape – Building a Community Key Theme

Public and private partnerships are essential to growing a strong, sustainable tech ecosystem in Phoenix. The goal: build an environment that supports startups from funding to mentorship, attracts talent, and retains capital within Arizona.

Current Ecosystem Overview

· Silicon Valley (CA) and Silicon Slopes (UT) serve as models for how regional tech ecosystems can evolve.

· Phoenix has growing momentum but lacks the critical mass seen in other markets.

· Total deal volume: $435 million — promising, but still behind Austin, Miami, and California.

· 2025 so far: 47 funding rounds, compared to 88 in 2024 and Miami's 241.

Challenges

· Talent Drain: Founders and VCs often leave Phoenix after exits ("brain drain").

· Ecosystem Sophistication: Fewer investors and mentors compared to established hubs.

· Access: Limited connectivity between startups, capital, and mentorship networks.

· Diversity of Talent: Need for broader, more inclusive participation in the local startup scene.

Opportunities & Growth Areas

· Industry Strengths:

o Microchips & semiconductors

o Health care (e.g., Mayo Clinic)

o Software & AI

o Defense innovation (e.g., Southwest Mission Acceleration Center)

· Key Local Organizations:

o ACA (Arizona Commerce Authority)

o GPEC (Greater Phoenix Economic Council)

o Southwest MAC – Center for defense innovation

o The Crown Room (Tempe) – Coworking and company-building hub

Leaders & Companies to Watch

· Gregg Scoresby:

o Exited with CampusLogic (sold to Ellucian in 2022).

o Founder of PHX Ventures and PHX FWD to reinvest in local startups.

· Hadrian (CA):

o Investing $200M to build an AI-powered manufacturing hub in Mesa, AZ.

· Prickly Pear Health (Healthtech):

o Raised $350K pre-seed; founded by Imen Clark — focused on women's brain health and AI.

· Chris Fox: HR consulting leader – cfoxyaz.com

· Rob Vera: GCU professor teaching entrepreneurship frameworks, angel investor, and advisor.

· Joshua Siu: Connects tech talent to local opportunities.

Key Points

· The illusion of exit: when successful founders sell and leave, rather than reinvesting locally.

· The flywheel effect: recycled profits and mentorship keep the ecosystem alive.

· Building a healthy innovation community means inspiring founders to stay, give back, and mentor others.

· Phoenix is at an inflection point — the story and narrative matter.

· The city must define why tech companies and talent should choose Phoenix over Austin or California.

· Need more local success stories to attract capital and credibility.

Segment 2: Events, Civic Engagement & Ecosystem Playbook Upcoming Event: Freeway Tech Summit 2025

· Dates: November 6–7, 2025

· Location: Downtown Phx - WebPT Building

· Day 1: Career Fair

· Day 2: Pitch Competition

· Partners: StartupAZ, 40 speakers & more….

· Focus: Talent • Capital • Community

· Website: freewayphx.com/tech-talent-summit-2025

Civic Entrepreneurship & Public Role

· Brian Smith, City of Phoenix:

o Advocates for civic entrepreneurship—businesses stepping up to solve challenges government cannot move fast enough to address.

o Notes aging workforce and need to attract younger tech talent.

o Encourages investors and general partners to stay active locally.

o Spark Angels – local angel network supporting early-stage innovation.

Insights from "Startup Communities" by Brad Feld

Core Principles for Building a Thriving Startup Ecosystem:

1. Entrepreneurs Lead:

o Founders, not government or universities, must drive the community.

2. Give First Mentality:

o Help others without expecting immediate returns—creates long-term strength.

3. Mentorship-Driven:

o Experienced leaders must guide and connect emerging entrepreneurs.

4. Long-Term Commitment:

o Building a community takes 20+ years of consistent effort.

5. Positive-Sum Game:

o One company's success lifts the entire ecosystem.

6. Feeders vs. Leaders:

o Universities, investors, and government are feeders—they support but don't lead.

7. Embrace Mobility:

o People will come and go; welcome returnees to keep fresh ideas circulating.

8. Complex Systems:

o Ecosystems evolve unpredictably; embrace experimentation and iteration.

Author Background:

· Brad Feld – VC, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Techstars and Foundry Group.

· Built the Boulder, CO startup scene, widely seen as a model for city-based innovation ecosystems.

The Vision for Phoenix 2030

· Competing head-to-head with Texas and California for tech leadership.

· Migration trends are favorable—more talent and capital moving into Arizona.

· The "Big Bet": Phoenix reaches full tech hub status by 2030, driven by collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and civic partners.

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