StartupAZ | Est. 2015
Since 2015, StartupAZ has brought Arizona's most ambitious entrepreneurs together to build stronger companies, meaningful relationships, and a more connected innovation economy.
What began as a small founder community has helped shape billions in enterprise value and a lasting culture of founders helping founders. Today, that same conviction is fueling new initiatives focused on the next generation of entrepreneurs and emerging innovation economies.
Explore Our LegacyThe Legacy
StartupAZ was founded in 2015 by Mario Martinez II and Brandon Clarke around a simple belief: when ambitious founders come together to support one another, better companies get built.
Through the Founders Collective, we established a trusted network of entrepreneurs committed to building high-performing companies while giving back to the community that helped them succeed.
The model was grounded in accountability, generosity, peer learning, and the belief that successful entrepreneurs are among the most powerful catalysts for economic opportunity.
Founders Supported
Combined Enterprise Value
Capital Raised
Jobs Created
Figures represent approximate aggregate outcomes across companies supported by the StartupAZ network.
The Evolution | 2025
In 2025, StartupAZ's signature Founders Collective program merged with PHX FWD, carrying forward nearly a decade of founder-to-founder learning, accountability, and generosity.
Led by experienced Phoenix entrepreneurs, PHX FWD is advancing an ambitious vision to make Phoenix a top software city by 2035.
The merger represents a natural evolution of the Founders Collective model, positioning the next generation of founders to benefit from expanded coaching, capital access, and community connections.
Explore PHX FWDSupporting Innovation
Fueling the Economy with Innovation in Women's Health.
StartupAZ has been proud to support FemTechAZ, an initiative advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in women's health.
FemTech encompasses technologies and solutions addressing health conditions that affect women differently, predominantly, or exclusively — from cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders to reproductive health and breast cancer.
By connecting entrepreneurs, industry expertise, and resources, FemTechAZ is helping expand opportunity in an historically underserved area of healthcare innovation.
Explore FemTechAZThe Next Chapter
The work of building entrepreneurial communities is never finished. Drawing on a decade of experience, new initiatives are exploring how to develop exceptional talent, mobilize local capital, and unlock the potential of emerging innovation economies.
01 — Built in FLG
An ambitious initiative to help build a $1 billion innovation economy in Flagstaff by 2037. Built in FLG brings together entrepreneurs, capital, institutions, and community leaders around a long-term commitment to company creation and regional economic growth.
Coming soon
02 — Helion House
Helion House is a selective residential community for ambitious young talent committed to building something real. By combining proximity, accountability, experienced operators, and access to opportunity, Helion helps emerging builders develop companies and create meaningful career leverage.
Explore Helion HouseThe next generation of great companies, founders, and innovation economies is still being built. We're proud of what this community has accomplished — and even more interested in what comes next.