Arizona Commerce Authority

Supports Arizona startups and growth companies through competitive grants, tax credits, and hands-on entrepreneurial mentoring.

The Arizona Commerce Authority is Arizona's lead state economic-development organization, established in 2011. It operates through a public-private board chaired by Governor Katie Hobbs and uses a recruit-grow-create mandate to attract companies, support expansion, and help entrepreneurs build new businesses in targeted industries.

Its funding mix combines one true non-dilutive grant with tax credits and tax-refund routes. The Arizona Innovation Challenge is the flagship grant, with awardees receiving at least $50,000 in non-dilutive funding and three months of support from an Entrepreneur-in-Residence. The same authority also administers the Arizona R&D Refundable Tax Credit, which can return up to 75% of excess credit for qualifying companies with fewer than 150 full-time employees, along with the Quality Jobs Tax Credit and other state incentives.

ACA works best for early-stage ventures and growth companies that can pair research spend, hiring, or commercialization milestones with state support. Applications are screened by the Arizona business community, semifinalists and finalists move through pitch rounds, and awardees are matched with hands-on support after contracting. The agency's role is practical and state-oriented: validate the company, sharpen the business case, and connect it to Arizona's broader expansion agenda.