PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Arizona Technology Council today announced a strategic alliance with Arizona Collaboratory, Inc. (AzC), a non-profit collaborative network committed to growing Arizona’s economy. The Council and AzC look forward to an engaged and cooperative relationship that will highlight new opportunities for emerging growth businesses and entrepreneurs to prepare for and secure capital.
Through this alliance, all Arizona Technology Council members will have access to the Arizona Collaboratory portal capabilities. When the portal is fully launched, registered companies will have the ability to use it to reach a network of Regulation D, 506(c) and Regulation A+ online investment platforms that will provide emerging growth companies (including real estate developments), the opportunity to solicit and raise capital from accredited investors throughout the U.S.
Interested parties may register now and obtain preliminary business and advisory information at http://www.azcollaboratory.org/.
“The Arizona Collaboratory seeks to solve two persistent problems in our state – funding preparedness and the funding gap,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “Companies seeking capital without adequate preparation or experience in securing capital and companies seeking $1-10 million in investment will now have an online portal to explore new opportunities. We look forward to working with Arizona Collaboratory to help bolster the capital needs of the technology community.”
The two non-profit organizations have also recently collaborated on intrastate crowdfunding initiatives, seeking to facilitate and empower platform development in support of Arizona’s H.B. 2591 crowdfunding legislation, signed into law April 1, 2015. It is anticipated that an Arizona-specific crowdfunding financial platform will be available prior to the end of the calendar year.
“The investor community in Arizona is substantive, and with quality deal flow that is vetted by professionals,” said Aaron Bare, Arizona Collaboratory founding board chairman. “With access to this important new resource, we anticipate a new era for Arizona small companies and entrepreneurs.”
Capital flows for small and emerging growth business investments (those below $50M) are experiencing change in the wake of new SEC regulation guidelines as a result of the 2012 JOBS Act. In fact, online investment platforms, enabled by the JOBS Act, accounted for eight percent of all funding in 2014.
“This age of digital access to capital is just beginning and Arizona has an opportunity to step forward,” said Dan Nienhauser, executive director, Arizona Collaboratory. “Each of the funding portals, operated by a licensed broker-dealer, provides a lower cost of capital framework so that deals in the $1M-$50M range, make sense. It is a win-win for the companies and investors – with increased access to capital and lower capital costs in most cases for companies, and quality deal flow for investors.”
About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.
About AzC
Arizona Collaboratory is a non-profit inclusive and collaborative network of like-minded individuals and entities committed to growing Arizona’s economy. The Capital Connectivity Portal connects companies with expertise and provides self-help activities to prepare emerging growth companies for capital. By offering access to a network of funding platforms we collectively seek to solve two persistent problems: Funding Preparedness (companies seeking capital without adequate preparation or experience in securing capital) and the Funding Gap (companies seeking $1-10 million). Learn more at www.AzCollaboratory.org.
