Two Canadian startups are exploring expansion into Arizona, and the University of Arizona’s incubator network is trying to make it easy for them.
UArizona’s Center for Innovation in Tucson is putting the two companies through its Global Advantage Soft Landings program, a part of the UACI’s Global Advantage international program that connects companies from outside the U.S. with community leaders and government officials, as well as resources and restaurants in southern Arizona.
The visiting startups are Newfoundland-based Ecoblock, which sustainably combats rodent destruction and disruptions in the global food supply chain, and Hamilton, Ontario-based Longan Vision, which develops augmented reality technology for first responders.
Executives from both startups said they were positive about the opportunities they saw in Arizona.
Jason Trask, Ecoblock’s CEO said he felt very certain that his company can get new clients in Arizona, saying he’s already received some verbal commitments. He also noted that southern Arizona is a great gateway to the Mexican market.
“Additionally, we learned about opportunities to work with local companies regarding manufacturing our solution in Mexico,” Trask said in a statement. “Prior to arriving, Arizona was barely on our radar. However, after spending time in-market I realize there is so much more potential than I initially realized.”
Andrew Leaman, Longan Vision’s manager of commercial operations, said Arizona offered massive opportunities in terms of potential markets and resources for setting up U.S. operations, something the company already intends to do.
“Based on our growth goals, the incredible business support received and the low cost of business operations, we intend on establishing a permanent location in Tucson,” Leaman said in a statement. “It just feels like Longan Vision’s new home.”
Two qualify for the program, science and technology startups have to have made significant progress in their home countries and show readiness to make the investment required to set up shop in the U.S.
Arizona's startup scene has been gaining notoriety in recent years, with Phoenix coming in as the world’s 20th-ranked emerging startup ecosystem — the seventh-highest North American ranking — according to an annual global report by Startup Genome.
