Arizona Technology Council Formed

The new Arizona Technology Council (ATC) has announced its vision and mission as a non-profit association committed to growing member companies and the technology industry in Central and Northern Arizona. ATC, formed in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Commerce, Southern Arizona Tech Council, various organizations and technology trade associations, will be led by former Phoenix mayor and ATC Chairman Paul Johnson, an appointed executive committee and a board of directors comprised of a cross-section of academic, private and public sector professionals.

An advisory board of civic leaders, technology industry executives and service providers to the technology industry has been formed to help interconnect the technology industry with the community. ATC's vision is to help the state become recognized as a top-tier center for technology-based industries and businesses with an education system that produces a best-of-class technology workforce; a private sector that innovates and delivers breakthrough technology products, solutions and services separately and in partnership with the state-funded universities; and, a public sector that embraces and advocates the advancement of a vibrant technology industry through legislation, capital formation, interconnecting technology companies, and strategic technology industry development initiatives.

Council activities are slated to include:

• authoring and supporting legislation and policies that advance the vision statement;
• creating and implementing an effective capital formation strategy for the funding of technology businesses in Arizona;
• educating technology companies about the capital formation process;
• creating strategic partnerships with other state and national businesses and technology organizations;
• encouraging and supporting collaboration between higher education and the private sector;
• interconnecting Arizona technology companies through networking; and,
• advocacy and educational events and activities.

For more information, visit: http://www.aztechcouncil.org