Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of Arizona’s business community, and the State Forty Eight Foundation continues to invest in the people behind the state’s growing small businesses and startups.
The State Forty Eight Foundation hosted its annual Entrepreneur Speaker Series, a two-day event designed to provide Arizona entrepreneurs and business owners with insight, resources and connections to help them move their businesses forward.
The foundation is committed to supporting entrepreneurs who demonstrate dedication to their ventures, communities and vision for the future. Through educational opportunities, resources, grants and networking, the foundation works to strengthen Arizona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Entrepreneur Speaker Series brings together Arizona founders, executives and industry leaders who share their experiences, strategies and lessons learned from building and growing businesses.
Beyond the speaker sessions, entrepreneurs have opportunities to connect through networking events, Vendor Village and organizations that provide resources and support to Arizona’s small-business community.
This year, attending at least one day of the two-day series also qualifies local entrepreneurs to apply for the foundation’s 2026 Entrepreneur Grant Program, providing an opportunity to turn the knowledge and connections gained through the event into an investment in their businesses.
Investing in Arizona Entrepreneurs
During the first day of the Entrepreneur Speaker Series, OneAZ Credit Union presented the State Forty Eight Foundation with a $150,000 grant to support the foundation’s ongoing mission of investing in Arizona entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs attending the first day of the series also provided the opportunity to receive direct financial support when the foundation raffles off a $500 grant.
The grant was sponsored by Headfarmer, a Phoenix-based staffing and consulting firm.
The $500 grant went to JD Guerrero, founder and owner of Only The Strong Fitness and Athletics, a local apparel brand that combines fitness and athletics with a commitment to giving back to the community.
Guerrero’s business focuses on fitness-inspired apparel while incorporating community giving into its mission.
The surprise grant reflects the foundation’s broader effort to provide entrepreneurs with resources that can have an immediate impact on their businesses.
But the $500 award was only one part of the foundation’s larger grant initiative.
Each year, the State Forty Eight Foundation provides grant opportunities to entrepreneurs who participate in its Entrepreneur Speaker Series. In 2026, the foundation plans to award a total of $50,000 to Arizona businesses and entrepreneurs through its Entrepreneur Grant Program.
Setting Yourself Apart
The second day of the series will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, focused on the theme “Set Yourself Apart.”
The day will explore what makes customers choose a business — and continue choosing it.
The program opens with a keynote highlighting the journey of an Arizona business, followed by a panel session where then focuses on strategies entrepreneurs can use to distinguish their businesses, including purpose-driven marketing and customer service.
The foundation emphasizes the importance of building a brand that not only attracts customers but creates lasting relationships and a competitive advantage.
Supporting Arizona’s Entrepreneurial Community
The Entrepreneur Speaker Series is one of several programs and events hosted by the State Forty Eight Foundation throughout the year.
The foundation also hosts quarterly Beyond Business events and its annual poker fundraiser, providing additional opportunities for Arizona entrepreneurs to connect, learn and access resources.
Through its programming and grant initiatives, the State Forty Eight Foundation continues to create opportunities for Arizona entrepreneurs to build their businesses while contributing to the communities they call home.
For more information about the State Forty Eight Foundation, its upcoming events and entrepreneur programs, visit https://www.statefortyeightfoundation.org. ♦︎
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