Spring is in full bloom, and so is the potential for your business! 🌸

With the fresh energy of the season, it’s time to shake off the winter slump and hop into a new phase of growth. Just like the Easter bunny delivers surprises, April brings a basket of opportunities to help your entrepreneurial journey thrive. 

 

Whether you're planting the seeds for new ideas, nurturing existing ventures, or hunting for your next big break, there’s no better time than now to get cracking. So, let’s make this season a time for innovation, renewal, and growth — we’ve got plenty of tips to help you bloom this month!

Whether you are early on and just tinkering with an idea or already in business and want to explore a pivot or refresh on the basics, this workshop will introduce tools and resources you can use no matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey. Startup 101 is your first step to getting started with Startup Tucson. Learn more and register here!

Spring into new connections over a sweet treat or cup of coffee!! Join us for our 2nd ever SIPS, a Startup Social, to chat about all things startups. Grab yourself a coffee or tea at Presta, sweet treat at La Estrella or tasty breakfast at Seis and pull up a chair to chat at the Mercado San Agustín Courtyard. Learn more here!

Are you looking to secure a loan for your business or simply want to better understand the process? This session is for you! Join us to learn how to obtain financing for your business, including the key documents you'll need and how lenders evaluate applications. Our goal is to help you assess whether you're ready to apply for capital and, if not, create a plan to get your business on the path to being capital-ready. Learn more and RSVP here!

Want to learn how to start or grow your business in just ONE DAY? Startup Tucson's  Fundamentals workshop takes you step by step through the process with instruction and activities designed to help you build your business model, understand your customer, position yourself within your market, and more! Workshop participants also receive input, guidance, and feedback throughout the day from Startup Tucson Mentors representing a variety of subject matter & industry expertise. Learn more and register here!

Join us on May 15th for the return of Startup Drinks, with a special celebration of BIPOC entrepreneurs day! Last year, we commemorated a historic milestone with the inaugural BIPOC Entrepreneurs Day, officially recognized by Tucson, Pima County and the State of Arizona during National Small Business Week, as declared by the Biden Administration. This is a great opportunity to mingle with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and community partners, and learn more about Startup Tucson. This event is a casual, low-key, and a fun way to get more involved in the entrepreneur ecosystem. Register here!

SAACA - Listing in Undercover Arts 2025: Submit by May 15th  – Looking for more exposure and opportunities to connect with Arizona’s creative community? Get your business listed in Undercover Arts Magazine from June 2025 to May 2026! With expanded digital reach, statewide circulation, and year-round online visibility, it's the perfect platform to boost your recognition and collaboration efforts. Applications are due by May 15th. Learn more and apply here!

Local First Arizona - Move Your Money: Want to learn more about what happens to the money in your bank? Local First Arizona focuses on financial empowerment and is here to help individuals, businesses and entire communities take control of their financial futures. One of the easiest ways to create real impact? Moving your money to a local bank or credit union. Learn more about Move Your Money here! And join Local First at MotoSonora on April 29th for a special Beer & Banking Edition Mixer!

Agave Heritage Festival: April 10th to 13th  – Want to learn more about all things agave? Check out the Agave Heritage Festival this weekend! The Agave Heritage Festival was created to explore the cultural, sustainable, and commercial significance of the agave plant and borderland culture. The festival features an impressive list of events with a strong focus on sustainability. Learn more here!

Mercado District Flea Market: Sunday April 13th from 8am to 2pm – Check out the Mercado District Flea Market this month with over 50 local Tucson vendors selling a mix of vintage and antique goods. Interested in being a vendor? Apply here!

Children's Entrepreneur Market: April 19th from 11am to 2pm – Interested in seeing the future generations innovation? Check out the Children's Entrepreneur Market, a farmer's market run entirely by kids. Stop by 4th Avenue and shop from local-kind run businesses! Learn more here!

Tucson after5 Tech Mixer: April 23rd from 5:30pm to7:30pm – Join the Arizona Tech Council for their April mixer, when they tour Edmund Optics® Tucson Advanced Design and Assembly Facility, with special guest, Congressman Ciscomani. Network with other industry professionals and discover how Edmund’s high-precision optical and imaging solutions power advancements in the aerospace, defense, biomedical, and manufacturing industries. Learn more here and register here!

PlayPalooza - A Family Festival: Saturday April 26th from 11am to 3pm – The Play District is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated PlayPalooza at the Second Sky community space. PlayPalooza is designed to bring the community together while showcasing the best in family-friendly businesses, activities, and entertainment. Interested in attending? Learn more here!

Pima County Fair: April 17th to April 27th – The annual county fair is back! Featuring concerts, food, exhibits, attractions, car shows, a rodeo, livestock and more, there are special events every day for all interests. Learn more and buy tickets here!

St. Philip's Plaza Market: Every Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm – Join St. Philip's Plaza under the warm Tucson sun  and check out unique artwork, handcrafted and designed jewelry, wood crafting and so much more. Take a break and grab a bite at one of their award-winning restaurants. Learn more here!

Thank you to our organizational sponsors for their continued support of the Southern Arizona startup ecosystem!