Kicking off AZ Tech Week at the U of A Scottsdale Center

The U of A Scottsdale Center launched 2026 AZ Tech Week with two dynamic events in partnership with Plug and Play, bringing together researchers, industry leaders, and emerging startups at the forefront of innovation.

The Mining Information Forum featured a lively discussion with U of A School of Mining & Mineral Resources Research Scientist Dean Riley, alongside private-sector representatives from Worley, Durin and Crow Industries. Startups showcased their technologies and bold visions for the future, while industry representatives shared insights on evolving trends and challenges shaping the sector. As Riley noted, the U of A, its researchers, and the San Xavier Mining Laboratory together form what is often described as the “Silicon Valley of the mining industry.”

The momentum continued with an Energy Innovation Forum, highlighted by a startup showcase featuring seven companies advancing new solutions in the energy space.