Who We Are

We enable Arizona innovators to bring world-changing ideas to market.

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Who We Are

A passionate collective of Arizona investors.

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Who We Are

Ecosystem builders and connectors.

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Who We Are

Education advocates.

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Who We Are

Champions of the next economy.

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Our Story

Since the inception of PEI, our mission remains to transform Arizona into a top global market for innovation, fueled by world-class research centers, advanced industries and creative entrepreneurs.

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2014

Velocity Report identifies the need for regional transformation.

2016

PEI is founded to accelerate innovation-driven growth.

2016

Pipeline AZ launches to bridge the gap between talent and industry.

2018

WearTech Center opens as PEI’s first Applied Research Center.

2019

Blockchain Applied Research Center launches with global industry Members.

2019

The Connective is established to build the nation’s first Smart Region.

2022

Pipeline AZ, a PEI Workforce platform, becomes it's own non-profit entity.

Economic innovation doesn’t happen accidentally. Following a detailed report in 2014, it became apparent that without intentional investment in growing Arizona’s innovation ecosystem and advancing educational attainment, we were poised to fall behind economies driven by technological discovery.

Partnership for Economic Innovation began as a response to that need. We are a passionate collective of community, education, and business leaders dedicated to accelerating economic opportunities for all Arizonans.

Now, we are at a crossroads: through intentional investment, Arizona’s economy is more diversified than ever – but global challenges from climate and technological change to inequality require us to continue to diversify and deepen specializations in emerging tech and growth sectors.

By combining public and private investment in emerging technology research, championing education and laying more pathways to new economy work, we enable Arizona innovators to bring world-changing ideas to market.

Vision

We envision a thriving Arizona economy that is as diverse and resilient as its residents, and offers pathways for all Arizonans to access work of the future.

Focus Areas

Innovation

Life-changing research needs more paths to commercialization.

Our Applied Research Centers act as industry and talent magnets, helping cultivate innovation ecosystems within Arizona.

Infrastructure

Our sustainable future requires collaboration at scale.

By catalyzing partnerships and pilot projects between cities, industry and university, The Connective is scaling “smart” across the region.

Talent

We believe equity drives competitiveness.

Through our Arizona career development platform Pipeline AZ, we are creating more accessible pathways for the workforce of the future.

Issues We Support

Digital  Equity
Digital Equity
Career  Exploration
Career Exploration
Mobility
Mobility
Worker  Wellness
Worker Wellness
P-20 Education
P-20 Education
Sustainability
Sustainability

Partners

APSAPS
ASUASU
Arizona Community FoundationArizona Community Foundation
GPLGPL
Greater Phoenix Economic CouncilGreater Phoenix Economic Council
Helios Education FoundationHelios Education Foundation
Maricopa Commuinity CollegesMaricopa Commuinity Colleges
Maricopa County IdaMaricopa County Ida
Pipeline AZPipeline AZ
SRPSRP