The Startup Connection is a free event geared towards early-stage founders and executive leadership of new companies who are seeking to secure investment to quickly scale and grow their business. It will begin with a cocktail reception on Friday, Sep. 14 at SoHo63 in Downtown Chandler. On Saturday, entrepreneurs will take part in presentations, panel discussions, and workshops at the ASU Chandler Innovation Center, learning from some of Arizona's most successful entrepreneurs and active investors who will share their insights on what attracts outside funding.

"Chandler has a great entrepreneurial ecosystem," said Councilmember Mark Stewart. "It's one of the reasons why Chandler is known as the Innovation and Technology Hub of the Southwest. The Startup Connection is about bringing resources together and showing local entrepreneurs how they can build the next major tech company right here in Chandler."

Visit innovationsincubator.com for more information.

Bridgepoint Education has signed a lease for 130,000 SF at Ascend at Chandler Airport Center. The company will use the property for a call center, general offices and administrative offices.  To be completed in early 2019, the facility will feature an energy-efficient and open working environment with a cafe, gym and on-site health clinic. Bridgepoint is expected to take possession of the space in mid-April 2019.

"We are pleased to welcome Bridgepoint Education to Chandler," said Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. "This leading education services provider joins a rapidly growing employer base in our Airpark area. There has been a tremendous amount of development in the Airpark over the past couple years, including Ascend at Chandler Airport Center, and it is exciting to see these new buildings attract nationally recognized companies that create quality jobs."

Ascend at Chandler Airport Center was developed by Irgens. In addition to this building, Irgens has 20.5 acres remaining within the park that are available for build-to-suit or pre-lease developments.

Full news release

One year after opening their first Arizona office in Chandler, Optima Tax Relief is expanding again, due to significant growth, into a larger office building at 450 N. 54th St., in west Chandler.

The company currently has 32 employees in Chandler and is planning to ramp up to approximately 100 employees in the next 12 months. Optima Tax Relief is expanding operations in Chandler due to robust business growth, a business-friendly environment and the ability to attract skilled labor.

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny stated, "The City of Chandler is thrilled that Optima Tax Relief chose to expand in Chandler and appreciate their loyalty to our community. We wish them many more years of continued growth."

Full news release

Chandler, and the broader Greater Phoenix area, has rapidly become a hotbed for the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry. Over the past couple of years, the region has even gained international recognition as a development site and proving ground for the latest AV tech .  Greater Phoenix's thriving AV ecosystem was recently featured at the AV18 conference in Detroit. The major industry event brought together leading experts to discuss trends and issues shaping the future of autonomous mobility.

James Smith, Economic Development Innovation Manager, represented Chandler on a panel discussion that shared how government, academia and industry are working together to make Greater Phoenix a center for AV innovation.  The panel also included  Diana Bowman, associate professor at ASU, and Dominic Papa, executive director of the Arizona Institute for Digital Progress. It was moderated by Bryan Smith, Director of Business Development at GPEC.