Tech Talent Summit + Startup World Cup 2025 | AZ Regional
🚀 Tech Talent Summit + Startup World Cup AZ
Future-Proof Your Career | Grow Your Startup
📅 Friday, May 9, 2025 10am-7pm
📍 NextSpace – Scottsdale, AZ
🌟 About the Event
Join us for a high-impact, one-day experience designed to equip emerging talent and startup founders with the tools, community, and insights to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Co-created by:
Daniela Santangelo, Founder of Freeway
Chris Fox, Founder of Startup World Cup Arizona
Venue Sponsor, Arrive
Together, we’re building a new kind of summit—rooted in connecting innovation to opportunity through intentional community building.
🔍 Theme: Future-Proofing Your Career + Startup
We’ll explore how to navigate the evolving AI landscape, build sustainable and meaningful careers, and support overlooked founders with capital and clarity.
🧠 What to Expect
Tech Talent Summit
🔑 Keynotes from leading voices in future-of-work & learning
🧩 Panels on AI readiness, inclusive hiring, and career building
💡 Career navigation for students, jobseekers, and professionals
Startup World Cup AZ (Pitch Competition)
🏆 Arizona’s top emerging startups pitch for smart capital
🎯 Categories: defense innovation, gaming, B2B SaaS, healthtech, cleantech
💼 Founders get support with pitch decks, strategy, and exposure
🤝 Who Should Attend?
Tech talent navigating career transitions or AI disruption
Startup founders seeking traction, capital, and feedback
Investors, HR leaders, and hiring managers
Educators, community leaders, and ecosystem builders
AGENDA:
9:30 – 10:30 AM | Registration, Breakfast & Networking
Kick off with coffee & connections.
10:30 – 10:45 AM | Opening Remarks
Welcome to the Summit and framing the day ahead.
10:45 – 11:15 AM | Keynote: Will Preble – Work Reimagined
How talent, technology, and purpose align in the AI era.
11:15 – 12:00 PM | Panel #1: From Capital to Capability
Hiring smarter using traditional, fractional & scalable systems.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Office Hours + Founder & Startup Networking
Connect directly with founders, hiring teams, and talent leaders.
PRE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://uxvgsql13ds.typeform.com/to/NT191prN
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch + Fireside Chat
Featuring Indu Khosla & Chris Chumley of Phx Ventures.
2:00 – 2:45 PM | Panel #2: Future-Proofing Your Career
How to stay ahead in an AI-driven workforce (upskilling, certs, and more).
3:00 – 4:30 PM | Job Seeker Experience + Company Hiring Presentations
Meet hiring teams from TSMC, RevolutionParts, Benchmark Electronics, PRIVV, and more.
Includes networking, role overviews, and practical workshops:
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
Career Strategy & Live Q&A with Experts
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Startup World Cup Pitch Competition
10 startups pitch live for $100K SAFE investment from Open Access Ventures.
6:00 – 6:30 PM | Networking + Judges Deliberation
Connect with founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders.
6:30 – 7:00 PM | Winner Announcements & Closing
📅 Spots are limited—secure your ticket now and be part of shaping Arizona’s future in tech.
JOB SEEKERS: Use promo code NEXTCHAPTER25 for a discounted ticket.
APPLY TO PITCH: Closes 5/2 https://www.swcaz.io/