The post-COVID future of economic prosperity in rural Arizona is strong, poised and ready for lift-off, says Moonshot President and CEO Scott Hathcock. Evan and Kelly Anderson, founders of startup Drinking Horn Meadery, received the 2023 Shoemaker Award at Moonshot’s annual entrepreneurial awards banquet. The 3rd Annual Shoemaker Awards and 4th Annual AZ Pioneer Pitch Tour Finals shared the stage at Little America Hotel on the evening of July 28 in Flagstaff, both produced by Moonshot, … [Read more...] about Entrepreneurial Spirits Rise with Moonshot Events
Moonshot
Tailoring a Winslow-Based Workforce for Industrial Sewing Needs
From weather balloons to backpacks, shower curtains to parachutes, and awnings to space suits, the world needs people who can sew. Aerospace and hospitality industries, the U.S. military and outdoor furniture companies are among those seeking a workforce with sewing skills, and Moonshot at NACET’s Arizona Stitch Lab believes Winslow is the place to harness and cultivate that skill set. “We are creating a pilot project to see if a sewing program can have legs in Northern Arizona,” said … [Read more...] about Tailoring a Winslow-Based Workforce for Industrial Sewing Needs
Innovate Waste: The Carbon Neutrality Challenge
The Fourth Annual Innovate Waste: The Carbon Neutrality Challenge once again invites entrepreneurs to compete for up to $30,000 in awards and cash to build their business concept that advances carbon neutrality. If you have been thinking of ways to optimize stewardship of the environment and the natural world and your idea has merit, marketability and viability, then consider participating in this year’s challenge. The challenge has been growing, with more entrepreneurs pitching ideas each … [Read more...] about Innovate Waste: The Carbon Neutrality Challenge
Connecting Business with Environmental Sustainability
Many see climate change as a political topic nowadays, that swings from being a life or death issue to one that’s not real – and everything in between. Irrespective of where you stand on the subject, the government is taking aggressive action on climate change that will impact your business. The United States pledged a Net Zero emission target by 2050, and the Environmental, Social and Governance Score (ESG) is part of that plan. ESG is similar to a credit score that measures a company’s … [Read more...] about Connecting Business with Environmental Sustainability
New NACET Flagstaff Leader Planning Campus Tours, Community Events
In our last column, Scott Hathcock addressed the phenomenal growth of Moonshot programming across the state. He also announced my appointment as the new executive director for the NACET campus. My love affair with Flagstaff began in 2015 when I relocated with a former employer to be the director of the Northern Arizona University Campus Bookstore. I was immediately embraced by the Flagstaff community and began to engage with local business owners. I saw a need for more small … [Read more...] about New NACET Flagstaff Leader Planning Campus Tours, Community Events
Bear-Resistant Container Lands REI Deal for Local Entrepreneur
An inventor and avid backpacker working with the entrepreneurial program Moonshot at NACET has landed two major distribution deals for her next-generation bear-resistant food container, including one with outdoor recreation powerhouse REI. Holly Jaleski, of Flagstaff, said the inspiration for Grubcan came to her while she was out on the trail. “My husband and I were hiking out at the beginning of a week-long backpacking trip in Yosemite when the bear-resistant canister I was carrying in my … [Read more...] about Bear-Resistant Container Lands REI Deal for Local Entrepreneur
Growing Businesses in Flagstaff
The Flagstaff City Council adopted a few new programs to help the businesses in Flagstaff during the summer of 2020. This is a celebration of two of the programs and the two Flagstaff businesses on their way to growing in Flagstaff, making the world a better place with a little encouragement from two new small business assistance programs from the City of Flagstaff. The programs are the Innovate Waste/Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Challenge and the Business Retention and Expansion … [Read more...] about Growing Businesses in Flagstaff
Picture Perfect Pitch
Moonshot at NACET, which for 20 years has used in-person mentoring, pitch contests and conferences to inspire and mentor budding entrepreneurs in Flagstaff and beyond, is now pivoting to provide that guidance and support in the era of social distancing. The non-profit is launching Mission Control Startup Pitch, a free service connecting new entrepreneurs with “moonshot” ideas to a panel of successful business leaders via teleconferencing. “Just like astronauts need Mission Control to … [Read more...] about Picture Perfect Pitch
Exploring Opportunities, Events for Business Start-Ups
Start-ups are new businesses that come from a person’s idea, drive, inspiration and courage. They are an engine for individual success, and they create new jobs and new products and services that enrich daily life. Start-ups, in many ways, embody the pioneer spirit of America. They are about stepping out into unknown territory and exploring. In honor of the courage these endeavors take, and the benefits they create, we recognize start-ups as a powerful force in the Flagstaff … [Read more...] about Exploring Opportunities, Events for Business Start-Ups
Moonshot Mentors Bringing Expertise to Local Startups
One manufactures the next generation of outdoor gear to protect camping and backpacking provisions from being ransacked by rodents, birds and other critters. Another is a band of self-described “renegade recyclers” addressing the problems of plastic waste products. A third is giving the time-honored task of tutoring a facelift with technology. While the products and services provided by these companies are quite different, they have some notable similarities.They are Flagstaff-based … [Read more...] about Moonshot Mentors Bringing Expertise to Local Startups