Join us for an intimate fireside chat that delves into the extraordinary journeys of two remarkable musicians, Jenny from Jenny and the Mexicats and Silvana Estrada. Hosted by the charismatic Elva De La Torre, KXCI Executive Director and DJ, this conversation promises to be a symphony of inspiration and creativity. Explore the stories behind the music as Jenny and Silvana open up about their diverse backgrounds, the motivations that drive their artistry, and the unique paths that led them to international acclaim. Discover the challenges they faced and overcame, the artistic collaborations that shaped their careers, and the global influences that define their distinctive sounds. This fireside chat is a must-attend event for musicians, artists, and creative professionals seeking to ignite their own creative sparks. Gain insights into the music industry, learn about the power of cross-cultural collaboration, and be inspired to push the boundaries of your own creativity. Join us for an unforgettable conversation that celebrates the art of music, the journey of artists, and the limitless potential of creativity. Don't miss "Harmonizing Success: A Fireside Chat with Jenny and Silvana" – where passion, talent, and global resonance come together on the Creative Day of TENWEST.

In this episode, Jessica Sueskind, Executive Director of Tucson Young Professionals, speaks with Joe Klug, Assistant Director of Experience at the University of Arizona. Together they discuss the university's experience team, how to shake spaces and turn every day events into an impactful, lasting memory.

Join Arizona Commerce Authority's Chief Innovation Officer Brian Sherman as we shine the spotlight on Arizona's entrepreneurial marvels! Discover the captivating journey of the Arizona Commerce Authority's Arizona Innovation Challenge winners turned startup sensations. These trailblazing founders have conquered challenges, chased dreams, and turned their innovative ideas into thriving businesses. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and empowered as they share their secrets to success, their memorable setbacks, and the strategies that propelled them to greatness. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the magic behind startup triumphs, this session promises an exhilarating dose of knowledge and motivation. Don't miss 'Arizona Startup Superstars: From Challenge Champs to Entrepreneurial Triumphs!' It's your ticket to the thrilling world of Arizona's startup stars!

Join Matt Mars, professor of leadership and innovation at the University of Arizona, as he speaks with Robyn Tosik, a thought leader in entrepreneurship, mindfulness, and manifesting. Together they discuss Robyn's Savvy ventures, maintaining a growth mindset, manifesting as a daily practice, and the importance of reconnecting with possibility. As we approach the halfway mark of 2024, this episode is will help inspire you to pause, reflect, and reset to make the second half of 2024 full of meaning and purpose!

Founded by Startup Tucson in 2015 and hosted every November in Downtown Tucson, TENWEST Impact Festival is a celebration of the growing innovation, creative and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Southern Arizona. Unique in its cross-industry approach, TENWEST showcases the connectivity between technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, culture and impact, uniting attendees to gain the knowledge and inspiration they need to innovate within their own careers and communities. The weeklong event welcomes thousands of diverse attendees to participate in a multi-day conference, Street Fest, nightly xEvents and numerous partner events and experiences.

Prepare to be inspired by the transformative journey of Dr. Key, the visionary founder of The Village Market. Dr. Key will take you on a deep dive into her remarkable entrepreneurial story, sharing profound insights, pivotal challenges, and triumphant moments that have defined her path as a true disrupter. In this dynamic and engaging session, Dr. Key will underscore the paramount importance of not just building your business but also nurturing your community and will be interviewed by Keneshia Raymond, Director of Entrepreneurial Success and Access to Capital for Startup Tucson. Discover how forging and nurturing authentic connections can serve as a powerful catalyst for entrepreneurial success.

Join one of Startup Tucson's shining entrepreneurs, Blake Martin, as he interviews TENWEST keynote speakers Justin Bayless and Mark Moeremans about what is takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Learn more about Justin & Mark's entrepreneurial journey and pick up some inspiring lessons and helpful tips!

Justin, a native Phoenician and Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Morehouse College, began his career at Morgan Stanley in New York City before returning to Phoenix to join his family's mental health business. Driven to address healthcare disparities, he led Bayless Integrated Healthcare to pioneer the integration of primary care and behavioral health services and become a URAC-accredited telehealth provider. Under Justin's leadership, Bayless grew exponentially, appearing on the Inc. 5000 list three consecutive years before a strategic acquisition by Magellan Health and subsequently Centene Corporation. Justin, who exited the family business with a nine-figure valuation, has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the top 35 Arizona Entrepreneurs under 35 and a Top 25 Emerging Leader by Modern Healthcare. He recently launched Ten Figures, a management consulting and private equity firm supporting BIPOC and women healthcare entrepreneurs, and founded the Journey Venture Studio, which fosters healthcare startups led by underrepresented founders. An Advisory Board Member for Morgan Stanley's Next Level Fund and a Mentor for the Black Ambition program, Justin also serves on Morehouse College's Board of Trustees and supports various scholarship and entrepreneurship initiatives. Residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and three daughters, Justin is an avid golfer, horology enthusiast, and global traveler.

Mark has pursued a path supporting entrepreneurship as a way to lift others out of poverty while celebrating innovation and creating sustainable economies. Mark has worked with startups across four continents and consulted for Fortune 100 companies like Pfizer, Nike, and EMC. After graduating from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business with an MBA in 2017, Mark joined a private equity firm and moved to Arizona to lead one of their portfolio companies. Before joining the Journey team, Mark worked at the Arizona Commerce Authority where he supported entrepreneurs and startups across the state by leading programs like the Arizona Innovation Challenge and the Venture Ready Accelerator.

A proud student at the University of Arizona, Blake Martin has showcased a remarkable knack for innovation, with a patent-pending product to his name. Demonstrating entrepreneurial prowess, he founded both 'Billight' and 'Dog Days', making significant strides in the business world. In the realm of digital content, his skills as a content creator saw a meteoric rise, growing from a modest few hundred to over 50,000 followers in a mere three months. Beyond his academic and entrepreneurial endeavors, he's also shone athletically, earning the title of Two-Time All American Bowler.

As the driving force behind Bayless Integrated Healthcare, he championed an integrated approach to primary and behavioral health, ensuring no community was left behind. Under his leadership, Bayless not only became a URAC-accredited telehealth provider but also featured on the Inc. 5000 list for three consecutive years. Now, with his venture, Ten Figures, Justin is on a mission to redefine the venture capital landscape for BIPOC and women healthcare entrepreneurs. Join us for a reflection of an Arizona natives entrepreneurial journey to exiting his mental health company with a nine figure valuation and how he plans to change the venture capital ecosystem. This engaging fireside chat will be moderated by Mark Moeremans, Managing Director, The Journey Venture Studio.

Justin Bayless, a native Phoenician and Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Morehouse College, embarked on his career journey at Morgan Stanley in New York City, swiftly transitioning to his family's mental health business back home. Driven by a passion for healthcare accessibility, he transformed Bayless Integrated Healthcare, pioneering comprehensive patient-centric services. Under his leadership, the company earned accolades like Inc. 5000 three times before a strategic merger with Magellan Health Inc. Following his successful tenure, Justin founded Ten Figures, a consultancy empowering BIPOC and women healthcare entrepreneurs. Committed to community impact, he spearheads initiatives like Journey Venture Studio and supports organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley. Justin's influence extends to advisory roles, mentorship with Black Ambition, and board memberships including Morehouse College. Residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family, he balances his pursuits with golf, horology, and global exploration.

Mark has pursued a path supporting entrepreneurship as a way to lift others out of poverty while celebrating innovation and creating sustainable economies. Mark has worked with startups across four continents and consulted for Fortune 100 companies like Pfizer, Nike, and EMC.

After graduating from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business with an MBA in 2017, Mark joined a private equity firm and moved to Arizona to lead one of their portfolio companies.

Before joining the Journey team, Mark worked at the Arizona Commerce Authority where he supported entrepreneurs and startups across the state by leading programs like the Arizona Innovation Challenge and the Venture Ready Accelerator.

Andre Whittington from Growth Partners Arizona and Keneshia Raymond from Startup Tucson discuss what it takes to help entrepreneurs access and deploy capital effectively. There are so many amazing organizations that exist to support entrepreneurs throughout the state and the country and Andre and Keneshia talk about the work that has been done and the work that we still need to do to help communities all over Arizona get access to micro-lending and alternative funding for entrepreneurs.

What would a world look like without cars?

Culdesac is finding out. Erin Boyd leads Government & External Affairs for Culdesac, an Arizona-based company building the first car-free neighborhood from scratch in the U.S. Private vehicle ownership is the largest source of carbon emission pollution and a driver of disconnection as we spend hours commuting. Erin will share Culdesac’s innovative approach to car-free urban design, the challenges and opportunities, and how to build neighborhoods that prioritize sustainability, productivity, and happiness.

Along with her work at Culdesac, Erin also cofounded Ashoka U, a global network for social entrepreneurship in higher education. Previously, she was head of partnerships for ChangeX, a platform that supports impact projects to build healthier communities. Erin graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations and a Master's from the Stanford School of Education, and was named the 2022 Bike Hero for the City of Tempe.

Ryan Johnson is the founder and CEO of Culdesac. Before founding Culdesac, Ryan Johnson was on the founding team of Opendoor, a real estate technology company that gives sellers a competitive cash offer on their home. Opendoor is now in 42 markets with over 100,000 customers served to date. Outside of Culdesac and Opendoor, Mr. Johnson has been involved in the real estate space for two decades through his own investments.

Mr. Johnson’s prior experience also includes work on transportation and urban planning with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Bain Capital Private Equity, city government in Chile, and McKinsey & Company.

Andy Rueben, Founder and Executive Director of Trove, and Scott Hessell from the University of Arizona chat about retailing in the era of the Internet. Retailing continues to change dramatically with each generation, and consumers now have very different expectations than even 10 years ago.

Andy and Scott also discuss the importance of sustainability in fashion and how consumer behavior and preferences have driven retailers to focus more on reselling and upcycling.