Agenda

Anita Bell has been involved with the University of Arizona and Tucson’s startup incubator network for over fifteen years with a focus on supporting entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into successful companies. In her role at the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, she executes on strategy, manages daily operations, directs client services, develops and implements programs, mentors companies, and supports fundraising efforts.

Anita is passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs and growing scalable startup and emerging technology companies that fuel the Arizona economy. During her professional career, Anita has directly assisted over 100 early-stage startups in technology and life sciences. She is actively involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and organizes several signature events that benefit university, community and international startups. Anita follows the motto “it takes a village to raise a company” and cultivates relationships with and within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her collaborative spirit has helped shape a regional network that benefits startups.

Anita is a life-long learner with focus on incubation and commercialization. She holds the Entrepreneurship Center Management Certificate and the Rural Incubation Lite Certificate from the International National Business Incubation Association (InBIA). Anita is a graduate of the Greater Tucson Leadership program and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management Emphasis from Northern Arizona University.

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Karen Katzorke has served as Executive Director of the Venture Madness by Invest Southwest since the spring of 2011. Prior to serving as Executive Director, she worked for the ASU Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development for more than six years as Program Specialist and was responsible for the planning and execution of programs and events. Ms. Katzorke previously worked as Program Manager of Entrepreneurial Services at the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, where she coordinated entrepreneurial programs and provided organization and promotion for the Arizona Venture Capital Conference. She is experienced with early to mid-stage life science and technology entrepreneurs, assisting companies with access to capital and other expansion and growth needs. Ms. Katzorke has more than 10 years of economic development experience, which includes the Greater Phoenix Chamber and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

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