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April 2026
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios powers Arizona Tech Week in Mesa
Arizona Tech Week (Apr. 6–12) is putting a spotlight on innovation across the state, and Downtown Mesa is right in the middle of it. At the center of the activity is Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios, serving as a go-to hub for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and tech leaders to connect, learn, and explore what’s next.
Throughout the week, Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios will host and support a series of sessions focused on artificial intelligence, digital tools, and real-world business growth strategies, designed to deliver practical insights you can apply immediately. Beyond the sessions, it’s a place to build relationships, exchange ideas, and plug into Arizona’s expanding tech and innovation ecosystem. And while Tech Week brings the energy, Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios is here year-round to help businesses continue building, collaborating, and growing long after the weekends.
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios remains a consistent resource for businesses looking to learn, connect, and grow. To explore Mesa’s full Arizona Tech Week schedule, visit AZTechWeekMesa.com.
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Unlock capital. Build connections. Grow your business: Local First Arizona offers Access to Capital Expo Apr. 13
Local First Arizona along with the City of Mesa and a coalition of locally owned community banks and credit unions is bringing small businesses a powerful opportunity to access the capital and connections they need to grow. Through the Move Your Money initiative, this event highlights the critical role local financial institutions play in helping businesses thrive and opens the door for entrepreneurs to connect directly with the right partners.
Designed for small businesses across all industries, this high-impact event offers direct access to 20+ local lenders, insights from businesses that have successfully scaled with local banking partners, and a new Loan Readiness Boot Camp to help owners position themselves for funding success. Attendees will also expand their network with fellow entrepreneurs from across the region, because the right relationships can be just as valuable as the capital itself.
Monday, Apr. 13, 2026 4 – 6 p.m.
The Post | 26 N. Maconald | Mesa
Register!
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Small Business Week in Mesa: connect, learn, and celebrate
Mesa Business Builder celebrates Small Business Week and the two-year anniversary of Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios with opportunities designed for small business owners to connect, learn, and grow.
Tuesday, May 5 | Mesa Business Builder Small Business Networking Event
Kick off the week at this FREE signature networking event. Mesa Business Builder invites small business owners to connect, build relationships, and take part in flexible drop-in sessions on key business topics. Mayor Mark Freeman will provide a special welcome in support of Mesa’s small business community. Attendees will enjoy an evening of meaningful connections, fresh insights, and complimentary food and refreshments.
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Limited space - Register now!
Thursday, May 7 | Putting the Pieces of Your Fundraising Strategy Together: A Half-Day Intensive for Social Entrepreneurs & Nonprofits
Continue the momentum with this FREE, high-impact workshop designed for social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and mission-driven businesses. This session will help participants build a clear, sustainable fundraising strategy that connects revenue streams and supports long-term growth.
Who This Is For:
- Nonprofit leaders new to the fundraising experience
- Small organizations and projects that are ready to grow but need a structured approach
- For-profit social enterprises seeking to diversify revenue with philanthropic funding streams
Time: 1 – 5 p.m.
Location: Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Limited space, Register now!
From meaningful connections to practical strategy, Small Business Week in Mesa offers small business owners the tools, relationships, and momentum to grow with confidence.
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Contracts in Arizona business: how to draft, enforce, and resolve disputes before they disrupt your operations
Contracts remain the backbone of every business relationship, and in today’s complex environment, they are more critical than ever. As outlined by Matthew Harrison of Harrison Law Arizona, clear, well-structured agreements help define expectations, manage risk, and protect profitability, while vague or outdated contracts can quickly lead to disputes. With rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and evolving service models in 2026, Arizona businesses can no longer afford to treat contracts as routine paperwork; they must be strategic tools that support operations and growth.
Purchase and service agreements, in particular, require careful attention. Strong contracts clearly define scope, pricing, timelines, and performance expectations while anticipating potential disruptions and outlining dispute resolution paths. Businesses that regularly review and update their agreements—and address issues early—are better positioned to avoid costly conflicts and maintain strong partnerships. The message is clear: proactive contract management isn’t just legal protection, it’s smart business strategy. Read more.
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Employees are wasting thousands of hours a month on admin - so is AI the answer?
Administrative busywork is quietly draining small businesses—costing organizations nearly $954 billion annually and an average of 5.6 hours per employee each week, according to a report covered by TechRadar and written by Craig Hale. Email alone is a major time sink, with employees handling close to 30 responses daily and often working beyond scheduled hours.
While AI offers a clear path to reduce this burden, only 41% of workers use it regularly. Those who do report meaningful improvements, highlighting a key opportunity for businesses to reclaim time and refocus on growth. The real value of AI isn’t just efficiency, it’s giving hours back to what matters most. Read the full story.
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Level up your business – Mesa Business Builder Educates U
Mesa small business owners have a powerful opportunity to invest in themselves and their business. Summer and fall enrollment are now open through Mesa Business Builder Educates U. Eligible businesses in the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program can take for-credit classes at Mesa Community College with tuition and course fees fully covered. Summer classes begin May 26, 2026.
More than 14 certificate programs are available to help sharpen skills, strengthen operations, and support long-term growth. Whether businesses are looking to build new capabilities or work toward a college certificate, this is a high-impact way to grow their business while investing in their future.
- Accounting
- Adobe Animations & Graphics
- Construction Studies
- General Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Microsoft Office Professional
- Organizational Leadership
- Spanish Language and Culture
- And More!
Businesses ready to get started should ensure they have a Mesa General Business License, then apply through the Mesa HUUB to access and apply to the program. Explore available classes here. Businesses are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn, grow, and move their business forward. For questions or more information, email mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov.
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 AI for small business: turn curiosity into capability
The HUUB AI for Small Business Bootcamp is a free, four-week virtual program designed to give small business owners practical, real-world skills—no tech background required, no fluff. Just tools participants can use right away to save time and grow their business.
Participants will walk away with:
• Content created in minutes, not hours
• Tasks that run without constant oversight
• Systems that keep businesses moving, even when owners are not in the room
Spots are limited. Register now!
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 Rise Higher: Local First Arizona’s bootcamps and programs are back
Local First Arizona is launching a powerful lineup of bootcamps and accelerator programs designed to help entrepreneurs at every stage start, grow, and scale with confidence:
Good Food Boot Camp A six-week virtual program guiding food entrepreneurs from idea to operation. Participants learn from industry experts and partners while building a strong foundation for their food business.
Virtual (English) | Tuesdays, 8–10 a.m.
- Apr. 21 – May 26
- Jul. 21 – Aug. 25
- Oct. 13 – Nov. 17
Green Business Boot Camp An award-winning program helping businesses and nonprofits build sustainable, scalable operations. In-Person (Verde Valley)
- Cohort 11: May 13 – Jun. 24 | Wednesdays, 5 - 6 p.m.
- Cohort 12: Sep. 30 – Nov. 11 | Wednesdays, 5 - 6 p.m. Virtual (Statewide)
- Cohort 22: Apr. 21 – Jun. 2 | Tuesdays, 4 - 5 p.m.
- Cohort 23: Sep. 9 – Oct. 21 | Tuesdays, 4 - 5 p.m.
Ag Business Boot Camp Designed for small and beginning farmers ready to grow and strengthen their operations.
- Central Arizona (Phoenix): Mar. 16 – May 4 (Spring)
- Southern Arizona (Tucson): Jul. 13 – Aug. 31 (Summer)
We Rise Business Accelerator Built for early-stage Black entrepreneurs, this accelerator provides tools, mentorship, and support to grow their business. Applications reopen May 2026, and interested participants can join the interest list to stay updated.
Rooted Relative Accelerator A community-centered program supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to capital, tools, and culturally aligned business support, bridging tradition with modern business growth.
No matter the industry or stage, these programs offer the tools, connections, and guidance to move their business forward.
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AZ Tech Week Mesa
Monday, Apr. 6 – Saturday, Apr. 12
Join us for a variety of high value keynote presentations, workshops, events, and more in Mesa for Arizona’s first statewide tech week. Visit AZTechWeekMesa.com to learn more and register for events.
Startups: Powered by AI Showcase and Fireside Chat
Wednesday, Apr. 8 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
The Future is Now. Are You In? This isn’t just another tech mixer. This is the epicenter of Arizona’s AI revolution. Join Catalyst Coded for an exclusive evening during Arizona Tech Week as we pull back the curtain on the future. At our Startups: Powered by AI Showcase and Fireside Chat, you’ll get a firsthand look at the groundbreaking AI and machine learning ventures being built by Arizona’s most promising—and historically under-funded—founders.
Purposeful Processes and Manifested Systems
Thursday, Apr. 9 | 12 – 1 p.m. | FREE for HUUB members - $3.19 | Virtual
Register
This session helps leaders turn purpose into clear, repeatable systems that drive real results. Attendees will learn how to translate vision into workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and align daily operations with mission, so the business runs effectively with or without them in the room.
Participants will leave with practical tools to build scalable processes, align team roles and KPIs, and protect their time for high-value work, creating a business that delivers both impact and results.
Three Key Takeaways:
- Learn to break a vision into a clear, documented workflow that can be delegated and measured.
- Reduce bottlenecks and protect your capacity for strategic work by turning intuition into repeatable steps.
- Align team rhythms and KPIs with your mission to drive both cultural soul and financial ROI.
Does Your Data Spark Joy?
Friday, Apr. 10 | 1 – 2:30 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Is your data a cluttered basement or a strategic goldmine? Join the datajoi team for a hands-on workshop designed to declutter your digital assets. We’re moving past the “spreadsheet chaos” and showing you how to implement private, secure AI to automate quality control and sharpen your decision-making, data analytics, and reporting. Transitioning from messy manual tracking to secure AI-driven analytics.
Vibe-Coding: From Idea to Prototype in Hours
Friday, Apr. 10 | 3 – 5 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Stop waiting for a technical co-founder and start “vibe-coding.” The FaaStr team is pulling back the curtain on how to build data-centric applications using nothing but natural language and AI. Learn how to transform expensive, legacy processes into a streamlined “entrepreneur’s dream team” workflow, turning your sketches into functional prototypes in a single afternoon. Empowering non-technical founders to build apps and tools using AI-first development.
Engineering Women at the Frontier: Designing Intelligent Systems
Saturday, Apr. 11 | 5 – 7 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Engineering Women at the Frontier: Designing Intelligent Systems is an in-person gathering focused on real-world applications of AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies, with an emphasis on access, leadership, and workforce development. Join us for an engaging evening of conversation, insight, and connection as we explore how AI is transforming industries, how women are leading at the frontier of innovation, and what it takes to build, scale, and stay competitive in today’s tech landscape. Designed for engineers, founders, technologists, students, and ecosystem partners.
Video Production Training - The Perfect Companion to Podcast Studio Training
Tuesday, Apr. 14 | 5 – 6 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Businesses already using the Podcast Studio at Mesa Business Builder can elevate their content with the Beginner’s Video Production Training. This hands-on, interactive session covers available video tools, how to use them, and strategies for leveraging media in business. Spots are limited and early registration is recommended. Presented by Ita Udo-Ema, Founder of View from Above Entertainment, the session includes:
- An overview of on-site video production equipment
- Hands-on training for setup, recording, and sound
- A Q&A on using video to complement a podcast or grow a brand
Bookkeeping Made Easy
Friday, Apr. 17 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register
This workshop is designed for anyone who feels unsure or overwhelmed by the financial side of running a business. Whether you’re struggling with tools like QuickBooks, unsure how to track expenses, or just want to make sure you’re doing it right, this session makes it simple.
Participants will be introduced to easy-to-use, affordable tools and walk away with the confidence to:
- Understand their business finances
- Track expenses correctly
- Set up a simple, effective bookkeeping system
Finally, get clarity and control over your numbers, without the confusion.
Video Production Training - The Perfect Companion to Podcast Studio Training
Tuesday, Apr. 28 | 5 – 6 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Businesses already using the Podcast Studio at Mesa Business Builder can elevate their content with the Beginner’s Video Production Training. This hands-on, interactive session covers available video tools, how to use them, and strategies for leveraging media in business. Spots are limited and early registration is recommended. Presented by Ita Udo-Ema, Founder of View from Above Entertainment, the session includes:
- An overview of on-site video production equipment
- Hands-on training for setup, recording, and sound
- A Q&A on using video to complement a podcast or grow a brand
Turn Up the Heat: Summer Campaigns that Convert
Tuesday, Apr. 28 | 12 – 1 p.m. | FREE for HUUB members - $3.19 | Virtual
Register
Don’t leave summer sales to chance. This session gives you a clear, simple plan to move fast, market smarter, and maximize results.
Learn how to map a summer marketing timeline, run promotions without killing your margins, and execute email and social campaigns that actually convert. You’ll also discover how to track performance in real time, so you can adjust mid-season and win while it counts.
Key Takeaways:
- Build a simple, actionable summer marketing plan
- Run promotions that drive sales and protect profit
- Track what’s working and optimize in real time
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