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PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwire) -- 10/03/12 -- A group of Arizona-based entrepreneurs will launch Startup Arizona on Thursday, October 4th in order to help galvanize the state's startup community and to keep the state's local talent in Arizona. Arizona currently ranks among the top states in the nation with the most new businesses started per capita,(1) and is the 29th Region launched in conjunction with the Startup America Partnership.

"The stats are not the least bit surprising when you consider the fast growth of our state along with a dynamic university and community college system," says Brandon Clarke, one of Startup Arizona's regional champions. "Collectively, we just need to work harder to keep Arizona talent in Arizona so businesses not only get started here, but thrive here."

That begins and ends with resources, which Startup Arizona is poised to provide. Under the guidance of the Startup America Partnership, a national movement started on the steps of the White House in 2011, the local Arizona chapter will have a variety of support services at its disposal to support any stage of a new business. Under the Startup Arizona banner, the region plans on being a unified force connecting the incubator, accelerator and entrepreneur network throughout the state. "The resources are here," says Clarke. "It's a matter of connecting the dots on those resources and working towards a culture of optimism among Arizona's entire startup community."

In conjunction with this effort, Startup Arizona has aligned itself with local startup incubator SEED SPOT, led by co-founders Courtney Klein Johnson and Chris Petroff, who are also regional champions of the Startup Arizona mission.

"SEED SPOT is proud to be one of many entrepreneurial groups working with the Startup Arizona movement to help build an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs across Arizona," says Johnson. Considering that SEED SPOT will exclusively support social entrepreneurs through their annual program, Petroff added that "the partnership with Startup America Partnership will help shine a light on the innovative ideas coming out of Arizona and the potential they have to impact the world and set a national model for what is possible."

"We've had our eye on Arizona for quite some time," said Scott Case, CEO of the Startup America Partnership "There has been a lot of activity coming out of this region and we're excited that the Startup AZ team has come together to really put fire behind our mission and join the other 28 Startup Regions across the country that are focusing on making their states a great place to start and grow a company."

Startup Arizona's official launch will coincide with the launch of SEED SPOT at a special event held in the Warehouse District where SEED SPOT will have its office: 605 E. Grant Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. The event is scheduled for Thursday October 4th, 2012 from 5:30-10 pm with a formal program starting at 7 pm featuring Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Startup America CEO Scott Case. To register for tickets visit: www.eventinterface.com/seedspot

About Startup Arizona
Startup Arizona is a volunteer effort led by local entrepreneurs and supported by the Startup America Partnership with a mission to accelerate the growth and recognize the talents of local startups with a series of local events, resources and peer mentoring programs at the business, college and high school levels. Visit startupaz.org/">www.startupaz.org

About the Startup America Partnership
The Startup America Partnership is a growing national movement of thousands of funders, experts and resources providing startups access to the corporations, investors, and services they need to grow. Launched at the White House in early 2011, the Partnership brings together startups and local champions from around the country focused on creating successful networks for young, high-growth companies to thrive. AOL co-founder Steve Case chairs the Partnership and the Kauffman and Case Foundations are its founding partners. American Airlines, American Express OPEN, Dell Inc., Intuit Inc., Microsoft and NYSE Euronext are corporate sponsors. For more information on the Partnership, visit www.s.co and follow us startupamerica">@startupamerica and startupamerica">www.facebook.com/startupamerica.

(1)Source: 2012 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, published by the Kauffman Foundation.



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Region Contact:
Brandon Clarke
Startup Arizona
602-751-6206
Email Contact