Celebrate the 1-Year Anniversary of Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a series of events focused on business growth, innovation, and community connection. This state-of-the-art facility in Downtown Mesa offers access to technology, tools, and resources designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed.
Participants can explore content creation spaces including a fully equipped podcast studio, AR/VR studio, and digital development zones for gaming and app development. A variety of training and skill-building workshops are available, along with networking opportunities and expert-led sessions to enhance business acumen.
Start Your Successful Small Business
Tuesday, May 6 | 5 – 6 p.m. | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
Register
Presented by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), this informative session is tailored for new small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The workshop will offer tools and insights to navigate today’s dynamic economic landscape with clarity and confidence.
MBB Small Business Networking Event & Mesa-Made Exhibition
Thursday, May 8 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
Register Limited Tickets!
This event offers the chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, small business owners, and local professionals. Attendees can explore an exhibition of Mesa-based businesses showcasing products and services, while enjoying complimentary food, drinks, beer, and wine. The event aims to strengthen the small business community in Downtown Mesa.
Exhibiting companies include: 7 Brothers Transport, Academy on Demand, Arizona Football Network, Charlton Digital, Distinguished Manor, Holly Chaffle, It’s a Genie – Practical Fabric Gifts, Near Zero, Paws Zen Pose, Phoenix Horizons Wellness Center, Prism Coffee Lab, Sophisticated Marketing Solutions, Soldiers Bakery, and Sunset Scents.
Real Stories, Real Mesa Entrepreneurs – Successes & Lessons Learned
Wednesday, May 14 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
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This roundtable will feature personal stories from successful Mesa entrepreneurs, sharing their journeys of building and growing businesses. Attendees will gain practical advice, ask questions, and engage with Mesa’s thriving business community. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided.
Featured entrepreneurs include:
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David Ly, CEO of Iveda, a publicly traded AI and technology company
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Leah Braddell, CEO of DataBiologics, a growing MedTech company
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Adam Small, Co-Founder of Urbix Inc. and founder of IP Assets Technology
Moderator: Kelley Keffer, Project Manager, City of Mesa Office of Economic Development
Inside the Mind of an Angel Investor
Wednesday, May 14 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
Register
This session explores what angel investors look for in startups. Topics include investor motivations, evaluation criteria, pitching strategies, typical documentation, and funding processes.
This workshop is led by Venture Madness Board Chair, investor, and business coach Tom Fulcher, an area expert on angel investing. The President and founder of The Idea Gardener LLC, he has over 25 years of management experience with start-ups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Tom has mentored and coached many companies. He serves as a judge for Venture Madness and the Arizona Innovation Challenge. He has acted as an entrepreneur-in-residence for an Arizona Commerce Authority program, helped companies as the executive-in-residence for a local tech incubator and leads the Pitch Power™ workshop series (coming later this year to Mesa). Tom is also an ASU and Thunderbird alumni and has traveled to all seven continents.
SBIR Overview: How to Leverage America’s Seed Fund
Wednesday, May 14 | 5 –7 p.m. | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
Register
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is the nation’s largest source of early-stage funding for startups. This workshop will help identify whether a business qualifies for SBIR/STTR grants and guide attendees through the funding landscape.
Topics include:
- Overview of SBIR/STTR programs
- Participating federal agencies
- The three-phase funding process
- Arizona Fast Grant initiatives
- Community resources available for applicants
Ideal participants include technology-based businesses seeking early-stage funding and those new to or previously unsuccessful with the SBIR/STTR process.
The Local Business AI Showcase: AI is changing the way we do business—are you keeping up?
Tuesday, June 3 | 4 – 6 p.m. | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
Register
This showcase will highlight AI-powered tools being used by local businesses to improve processes, gain insights, and stay competitive. Experts will demonstrate real-time examples, and attendees will explore AI apps and software that can be implemented in their own operations. Light appetizers will be served. Registration is required.
Fuerza en Acción: Inteligencia Artificial (IA) para los Negocios
Miercoles, el 4 de junio | 6 – 8 p.m. | MBB @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Downtown Mesa
Regístrate Aquí - ¡Cupo limitado! Reserva tu lugar hoy mismo.
Este taller en español, presentado por Josue Andonaegui, experto en Inteligencia Artificial y Small Business Resource Manager, explicará cómo aplicar herramientas de IA de forma práctica y accesible para mejorar procesos, aumentar la eficiencia y tomar decisiones empresariales efectivas.
Temas incluyen:
- Uso sencillo de herramientas de IA
- Automatización de tareas y casos prácticos
- Cómo implementar IA sin grandes inversions
Además, los asistentes podrán conectar con otros emprendedores locales y disfrutar de aperitivos en un ambiente amigable y dinámico.
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Why AI-powered hyper-personalization is a must for all businesses
AI is revolutionizing personalization, transforming how businesses attract and retain customers. In a recent article on Forbes.com, Aytekin Tank explores the widespread integration of AI-driven personalization across industries. Beyond assisting consumers with everyday purchases, AI applications are now emerging in sectors such as healthcare and finance. Technology leverages vast amounts of data to identify behavioral patterns and preferences, enabling businesses to deliver highly tailored experiences and more effective engagement.
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Last chance to give your opinion
The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development is seeking community input as it works to expand local retail offerings, including new dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Residents are encouraged to share their feedback through a brief online survey to help guide future business development in Mesa. This is a valuable opportunity for the public to influence the types of businesses that could open in their neighborhoods. Take the survey today and help shape Mesa’s future—survey closes May 16!
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