Impact

SFAz as a public-private partnership created to help strengthen and diversify Arizona's economy. We function as a catalyst connecting Arizona researchers and Arizona businesses, to stimulate and commercialize research, advance STEM education and turn big ideas into big opportunities.

We’re a lean, agile organization with a proven track record of generating wealth, businesses and jobs for Arizonans. Our operations are funded by the private sector, which means public and philanthropic funds are used exclusively for investing in Arizona's future.

For every dollar in state funding that SFAz has received, we’ve brought in an additional $4.40 from industry and out-of-state sources.  According to the independent Battelle Institute, these leveraged funds are just the beginning of an economic multiplier effect that "results in new wealth for Arizona.”

High-Impact Commercial Potential

“SFAz starts with return on investment. It’s not just a research organization. It looks at return first.” – Bill Post, CEO, APS

We choose our investments to leverage Arizona’s natural competitive advantages and grow our economy. We’re a lean and effective catalyst – bringing together Arizona businesses and Arizona researchers to generate research that results in tangible economic benefits for Arizonans.

By incentivizing researchers to do work with high-impact commercial potential, SFAz grants have been directly responsible for

• 22 new companies created
• 179 patents applied for and/or issued
• 16 technology licenses granted empowering entrepreneurs to build upon public research

"I can safely say that none of us would be here without the combined vision of Frank Mars, one of our founders, and Bill Harris of Science Foundation Arizona. It was their vision and commitment that set Heliae in motion."            -- Dan Simon, president and CEO of Heliae, an algae technology company, speaking at its May 2012 groundbreaking

The Battelle Institute has conservatively estimated that the state of Arizona’s investment in SFAz has already resulted in a massive return, and over time “will have even greater economic impacts through the private sector jobs created.”

• 
  Total economic impact, first 5 years: $592M
• Direct jobs generated: 1,776

And these aren’t ordinary jobs. Recent economic data shows that in a down economy the technology sector is a critical economic engine. Recent wage data shows a state-wide average wage of $42k, but in the technologq sector the average wage is $75k.

While the statewide job market was down 3.2% in 2008, technology jobs were up, with software jobs growing 4.5% and biosciences growing 4.3%.

“[The] investment in innovation taking place today will help position Arizona as a global leader in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies.”  -- Chris Gleeson, CEO Ventana

To compete in the 21st global innovation economy Arizona will need to stay on the leading edge of technology, create and attract new companies, and build a high quality workforce. 

Education

To secure Arizona’s competitiveness in the global innovation economy, SFAz invests heavily in education.

Our Graduate Research Fellowships attract world-class talent to Arizona institutions with the potential, according to the Battelle Institute, to “transform Arizona's economy, turn competent graduate programs into world-competitive programs and develop a workforce pipeline that meets the needs of Arizona’s technology-related employers.”

Our STEM Education initiative engages Arizona youth in science, technology, engineering and math. 87% of students in SFAz-sponsored Discovery programs report increased likelihood of pursuing more STEM education.

“Skilled employees are the most important ingredient to Fort Huachuca’s strategic operations.  [SFAz’s program] will allow us to tap into a talent base much earlier ... creating a win-win for everyone.” -- Melissa A. Sturgeon, 
Colonel, US Army and Commander, 
US Army Garrison

58.4% of the students impacted by SFAz’s STEM programs are low income and 30.9% are rural. The Battelle Institute concludes that we’re especially effective at reaching diverse student groups who are most often left behind in STEM education.”

SFAz education grants are directly responsible for

• 
  263 graduate fellows doing world-class research in Arizona
• 469 student researchers employed at Arizona educational institutions
• 1,524 total research jobs
• 314,000 K-12 students involved with STEM programs
• 8,000 K-12 Teachers participating in a broad range of STEM programs