Commerce Authority website launches section for start-ups

• ACA's start-up information is designed for businesses in all stages of development.
• Users can find out about local entrepreneurs, licensing requirements, resources and competitions.

Arizona start-ups have a new resource for their businesses.

The Arizona Commerce Authority has launched a new start-up section on its website, azcommerce.com.

The section, at azcommerce.com/start-up, is part of the agency's efforts to connect entrepreneurs and resources and to strengthen Arizona's innovation ecosystem, said Sandra Watson, president and CEO.

"The ACA is committed to making Arizona the most entrepreneurial, innovative state in the nation, creating the best place anywhere to start and grow a business," she said.

The start-up section, which is designed for companies in every phase of business development, includes an interactive resource directory where users can locate capital resources, identify local incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces and find out about entrepreneurial events and opportunities in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff.

Other features include a checklist where users can find out about licensing and other state requirements and information on competitions, training programs and state business incentives.

Serial entrepreneur Mario Martinez, incoming chairman of Invest Southwest's Venture Madness competition, called the start-up section "an on-ramp for entrepreneurs."

He and Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Tech Council, a trade association for science and technology companies, said such a start-up website long has been needed.

"I think it's going to be an outstanding resource," Zylstra said.

The information previously wasn't available in one spot, he said.

"Historically (start-ups) had to go to a bunch of different organizations or a bunch of websites to get the information," he said.

Having the information on the Commerce Authority's website makes sense, Zylstra said, and the key to the section's success will be keeping it current and updated.

The site will be maintained by the ACA in collaboration its partners in the entrepreneurial community. The ACA plans to roll out more site functionality in the coming weeks and months to include greater social networking features, a job boards section and other useful tools.

Reach the reporter at sue.doerfler@arizonarepublic.com.