Start a New Business in Arizona
small business resources for women entrepreneurs
Being a business owner can be daunting, but you don't have to face it by yourself. I’m committed to helping you along the way - whether you’re just starting out or taking your business to the next level. That's why I’m sharing Arizona business resources to support women like you on your entrepreneurial journey.
This is by no means a complete list. It’s a helping hand and a place for you to start researching the best resources for your needs. I believe that we all do better when we come together as a community and share information with each other. If you know of a resource that would help our community and you’d like me to add it to this list, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you!
Arizona Government Agencies
State of Arizona - Business Resources
The business division of the State of Arizona helps business owners form and manage their business.
Business resources include new business tax applications, commonly requested business forms, small business development, skilled and available workforce, access to major world markets, and opportunities for growth.
New business leaders can also learn how to start a business in Arizona, obtain a certificate of good standing, access the business licensing and tax guide, verify a business or license, streamlined regulations, and understand Arizona international trade.
Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. It helps you "Start Smart".
The ACA is a one stop shop for everything you need - details on startup competition opportunities, tools like incubators and accelerators, coworking spaces, university, capital, and industry resources. Programs and incentives like tax credits, training, mentorships, and more are included in this central hub.
100 North 7th Avenue
Suite 400
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602-845-1200
Arizona Commerce Authority website
Arizona Business One Stop
The Arizona online portal built for small business success. Plan your business by receiving a personalized to-do checklist, start your business by following the checklist to launch your business with confidence, and run your business by staying up to dat on required filings and renewals. It will even help you exit your business when you’re ready to do that.
100 North 15th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 877-655-4325
Arizona Business One Stop website
Arizona Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations
Prestamos Women’s Business Center
The Prestamos Women’s Business Center is hosted by Chicanos Por La Causa Prestamos.
Programs include:
Orientation: the basics of launching your small business
DreamBuilder Academy: a step-by-step framework for starting and managing a business
Jump Start Your Business: from entity formation to legal considerations to pricing products and services
Cafecito Talks: empowering session with experts and community business owners
Business Growth Mentorship Program: addressing imposter syndrome experienced by 85% of people in the workforce
Funding 101: learn more about various funding options
1008 E Buckeye Road
#215
Phoenix, Arizona 85034-4054
Phone: 602-767-1581
Prestamos Women’s Business Center website
Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona
The Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona provides business training, 1-on-1 coaching, and technical assistance designed to accommodate the needs of diverse, multi-lingual, underserved, and disadvantaged women entrepreneurs in Southern Arizona.
Annually, the organization serves small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, 84% of whom are women, 52% Latino/a, 8% veterans, service members, or their spouses, and 6% disabled.
525 N Bonita Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85745-3057
Phone: 520-884-7810
Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona website
Startup Tucson
Startup Tucson provides programs related to all things startup.
Education programs include Startup 101, Accelerated Fundamentals, Food Forward, Launch Lab, Prototyping Masterclass, eCommerce Masterclass, Action Advisor Program, and IdeaFunding.
Resources include Launch Lab, Tucson Digital Resource Guide, Startup Tucson Bulletin, Startup Tucson Blogs, and Business Resource Library.
Additional Initiatives include Crowdfunding Support, Remote Tucson, Tucson Innovation Partnership, and Tucson Metro Chamber Discount.
10 E. Pennington Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Phone: 520-477-8278
Startup Tucson website
Arizona MBDA Business Center - Minority Business Development Agency
The Arizona MBDA Business Center is directly focused on helping minority-owned businesses penetrate new markets - domestic and global - and to help them grow in size and scale. This includes securing capital, competing for contracts, identifying a strategic partner, or becoming export-ready.
The center supports businesses that are owned or controlled by people or groups considered MBEs including: African-American, Hispanic-American, American Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American (including Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal entities), Asian Indian American, and Hasidic Jewish American.
1020 East Missouri Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85104
Phone: 602-248-0007, ext.113
Arizona Minority Business Development Agency MBDA Business Center website
Arizona APEX Accelerator
The Arizona APEX Accelerator (formerly AZPTAC) works with small business owners to help them realize opportunities in government contracting. They provide confidential, no cost, one-on-one counseling to small businesses throughout the State of Arizona.
In addition to the main office at Glendale Community College, additional locations include:
Gateway Community College
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
Mesa Community College
Mesa, Arizona 85202
Communiversity at Queen Creek
Queen Creek, Arizona 85142
Cochise Community College
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635
Main Office:
Glendale Community College
6000 W. Olive Avenue
Glendale, Arizona 85302
Phone: 623-845-4700
Arizona APEX Accelerator website
Funding - State and Federal Sources
U.S. Small Business Administration - SBA
The SBA makes available the following funding programs.
Loans - to start or expand your business
Investment Capital - to find debt and equity investments
Disaster Assistance - to get a low-interest loan from the SBA after a disaster
Surety Bonds - to protect your work and your client
Government Grants - that help you do scientific research and development
Seed Spot
Seed Spot is dedicated to supporting all social entrepreneurs creating a product, service, or technology that improves lives or makes the world a better place. They provide access to resources, mentors, business fundamentals, community partners, capital sources, and anything business owners need to succeed.
Whether you’re a full-time founder or a newcomer, Seed Spot programs include an Impact Accelerator, 2-Day Launch Camp, VOA Futures Fund Community Health Incubator, and Angel Investor Training.
515 East Grant Street
Suite 150
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Phone: 602-456-9944
Seed Spot website
Arizona Educational Institutions
The University of Arizona - Eller College of Management
Business programs are available for undergraduates, graduates, doctoral candidates, and certificates for business professionals.
The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship at Eller helps student ideas become reality with its New Venture Development Program. Undergraduate and graduate students can participate in a yearlong, team-based program to learn the principles of entrepreneurship and innovation. In just one year, students build a new venture from the ground up.
1130 E. Helen Street
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Phone: 520-621-2165
University of Arizona Eller College of Management website
Arizona State University - W.P. Carey School of Business
The School of Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (TIE) is a new academic unit within the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
With a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship — especially as it relates to technology and technology-oriented contexts — the University is creating several research centers and involve interdisciplinary faculty with a range of expertise. TIE currently offers innovative undergraduate degrees that emphasize data analytics skills, and supports experiential learning.
W.P. Carey School of Business
300 E Lemon Street
Tempe, Arizona 85287
Phone: 480-965-5516
Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business website
Arizona Business Publications
AZ Business Magazine
AZ Business Magazine print and online editions incorporate up-to-the-minute breaking news, business stories, c-level executive editorial profiles, and much more.
3101 North Central Avenue
Suite 1070
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Phone: (602) 277-6045
A Z Business Magazine website
Phoenix Business Journal
The Phoenix Business Journal features the latest Phoenix news, top business news, commercial real estate, people on the move, banking and financial services, events, business spotlights, leadership insights, and much more.
101 North First Avenue
Suite 2300
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Phone: 602-230-8400
Phoenix Business Journal website
In Business Magazine
Published for 11 years, In Business Magazine is the source for building a successful business. Featured topics include building your business, communications and networking, finance, healthcare, how-to, leadership and management, real estate and housing, sales and marketing, technology and innovation, among others.
45 West Jefferson Street
Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Phone: 480-588-9505