The Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), a passionate collective of business and community leaders dedicated to accelerating Arizona’s economic opportunities, announced Crystal Sonic, a Phoenix-based hard-technology start-up, is joining its industry-leading Applied Research Center. This public-private partnership with researchers at ASU will advance chip manufacturing techniques to further solidify the state of Arizona as a leader in semiconductor technology innovation. Crystal Sonic’s unique advanced manufacturing technology harnesses the power of sound to allow for the reuse of preci ..read more

Suncrest, a leading residential master-developer, is making waves in Phoenix with recent grand opening of their luxury rental home community – Phoenix’s Zora Encanto – a first in their planned national portfolio of Zora Living communities, Zora Encanto celebrated their Grand Opening on April 13, and sets a new standard for sustainability and superior living. Located near major employment hubs, the 109 luxury, ranch-style, rental homes offer an impressive list of features including private entrances, private turf backyards, smart home technology, doggy doors, and more. Beyond these ameni ..read more

Chatham Lodging Trust, a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels, announced that the company has acquired the recently opened, 148-room Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown for $43.3 million or approximately $293,000 per room. The institutional quality, six-story hotel sits in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and includes the historic Fuller Paint Company Building that houses the hotel’s customized public spaces, including a signature food & beverage outlet. Upon stabilization, the acquisit ..read more

All $39 billion from the landmark CHIPS and Science Act is going to be allocated by the end of the year according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Government, incentivizing onshore semiconductor production with considerable tax breaks and direct grants. At the same time, cleantech tax credits, advances like solid-state EV batteries and a spike in investor interest for U.S.-based production all spell one thing: Manufacturing is riding high.Empowered by this multifaceted situation and a surge in reshoring, U.S. manufacturing space development has entered a phase of historic growth, quickly ..read more

I remember the day millions of users — myself included — packed our former “Digital Town Square” bags and moved onto Threads. This exodus was largely spurred by X (formerly Twitter) changing hands to its present owner, Elon Musk, whose leadership meant much different, and at times volatile, content on the platform. (“Fewer People Using Elon Musk’s X as It Struggles to Keep Users,” NBCNews.com, March 22, 2024) X isn’t the only social media platform that found itself impacted by a shift in user base. According to Pew Research, only a third of U.S. teens now use Meta’s Facebook compared to 71% i ..read more

Q: What design or amenities of your physical workplace have you found to be most important in creating a positive company culture? Angela Gillespie Chief Executive OfficerGawley Companies Sector: Healthcare As a global chief operating officer of a multi-national company pre-COVID, my entire focus in physical workspace revolved around squeezing as many people into a footprint as possible. The emphasis was on efficiency and functionality rather than fostering a sense of community or comfort. However, when we sent everyone home to work from their kitchen tables and living rooms, we learned quickl ..read more

Augmented and virtual reality are being developed in new ways to enhance reality, from streamlined smart glasses to headsets with farfetched fantasy experiences. Extended reality (XR) headsets are proving useful not only for leisure purposes but also for industry use, training, and even rehabilitation. People with vision conditions or who may be hard of hearing could see lifestyle improvements from AR displays. With some examples of displays that don’t rely on the shape of the eye lens, AR could substitute for poor vision by providing visual guidance or an assisted view of the real world. Simi ..read more

ReSuture, Inc., an Arizona-based startup developing anatomical models to expedite adoption of life-saving therapies, has recently received a patent for its synthetic vascular tissue. ReSuture’s innovative technology delivers the most accurate procedural experience outside the operating room — allowing surgeons to perfect necessary skills currently learned on-the-job. This newly approved patent on technology developed in Arizona will improve perioperative care and surgical accessibility, reduce the economic impact of complications and operative training, and streamline medical d ..read more

“By focusing on culture, empowerment, benefits, communication, recognition, development, diversity, social responsibility, and fun, Warby Parker ensures its employees are engaged, motivated, and aligned with the company’s mission.” —Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, co-CEOs at Warby Parker In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment, workplace engagement and a sense of belonging have emerged as critical components for organizational success. Companies that prioritize these elements often see improved performance, increased employee satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Buildi ..read more

Joe Stockunas, president of SEMI Americas, at the SEMI Breakfast Forum. Photo courtesy of SEMI Americas In the heart of the scorching Sonoran Desert, a new frontier of innovation is emerging — one that promises to redefine Arizona’s economic landscape and propel it into the global spotlight as a semiconductor powerhouse. SEMI, an organization that advances the global semiconductor supply chain, held a SEMI Breakfast Forum in May with the theme “Is Silicon Desert the New Innovation Hub?” where industry leaders and visionaries gathered to explore the trajectory of Arizona’s semiconductor secto ..read more