State Forty Eight Foundation Grant Awards is sponsored by State Forty Eight Foundation. Awards grants to Arizona-based small businesses, focusing on women-owned or co-owned and/or BIPOC founders.

Entrepreneur Speaker Series: State Forty Eight Foundation Starting or growing a business can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Entrepreneur Speaker Series is a free, four-week event built to equip Arizona’s small business community with the tools, support, and connections needed to move forward with confidence.

Each week, the series dives into a core theme of the entrepreneurial journey—offering practical tools, expert insights, and candid conversations that reflect the real highs and lows of building a business. You’ll hear from some of Arizona’s most inspiring founders, C-suite executives, industry leaders, and local changemakers as they share personal stories and their strategies for success.

We’re also bringing back the Vendor Village , a vibrant showcase of Arizona-owned businesses and entrepreneur-support organizations—including past recipients of the State Forty Eight Foundation grant—who are contributing to our state’s economic impact. Attendees will have the chance to shop local businesses and connect directly with organizations offering tools, resources, and support to help move their ventures forward.

To top it all off, we’ll be awarding $50,000 in funding through the State Forty Eight Foundation’s Entrepreneur Grant Program ! Attendees who participate in at least three sessions will be eligible to apply for a State Forty Eight Foundation grant.

Weekly Thursday sessions: One Arizona Center | 11th floor Program Overview & Speaker Lineup The foundation of any successful business begins with a clear understanding of your "Why"—and a plan to turn that purpose into action. Why do you want to start this business? Why does it matter to you and to your potential customers?

In this kickoff session, we’ll explore what to do when inspiration strikes and how to move from idea to execution. You'll gain clarity on your vision, learn how to evaluate and develop your business concept, and start building a roadmap that aligns with your values and goals.

Join us for an insightful conversation with local experts and seasoned business owners as they guide you through essential early-stage steps in business planning and development. With speakers who specialize in business launch and strategy, you’ll leave equipped with practical tools and fresh perspective to help bring your idea to life.

President & CEO, Black Chamber of Arizona Chef & Owner, Bacanora/Huarachis Director of Community Relations, Founder & Co-Founder, The Kempington Group & The Copper Club There are certain non-negotiables every entrepreneur needs to understand to build a sustainable business, and this session is all about giving you that foundational toolkit. We’ll cover what you need to know to set yourself up for long-term success.

Designed to help you make informed decisions and avoid common missteps, Business Essentials will feature subject matter experts and experienced founders who will walk you through practical considerations when starting a business. Walk away with a clearer picture of your business’s essential needs—and the knowledge to move forward with confidence.

Executive Director, Growth Partners Arizona Business Banker, OneAZ Credit Union Founding Attorney, The Lawnch Marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all—but understanding the core principles can help you make confident, intentional choices for your business.

In this session, you’ll hear from marketing experts and founders who’ve built strong personal and professional brands, connected deeply with their audiences, and communicated their value with clarity. Through real stories and candid conversation, we’ll explore how to define your unique value proposition (UVP), understand your audience’s needs, and talk about your business in a way that feels true to you—and resonates with them.

With so many topics to dive into, our marketing session is always one of the most loved sessions! Don’t miss out on the chance to learn from seasoned professionals whose insights may just spark your next great idea, or shift how you think about marketing altogether.

Founder & President, Ideas Collide Director of Marketing, Tempe Tourism Office Founder, Westerly Visions, Inc. Partner & Head of Brand, Golf With Flavor Where Do We Grow From Here? As your business evolves, creating sustainable practices and prioritizing your well-being becomes essential for long-term success. Where Do We Grow From Here?

is designed for entrepreneurs poised for growth and longevity (psst: that’s all entrepreneurs). In this session, you’ll hear from experienced business owners who’ve grown and sustained their ventures while navigating the real challenges, sacrifices, and emotional toll of entrepreneurship.

We’ll explore how to build a business that can thrive without burning you out, and why taking care of yourself is one of the most important ways you can take care of your business. Whether it’s knowing when to seek support or creating systems that allow you to step back, this session will help you think about growth in a way that sustains both your business and your well-being.

Owner & Founder, Imagine General Contracting & Development Founder & CEO, Bundle x Joy Athletics Director, ASU Sun Devil Athletics President, Four Peaks Brewing Co. Lisa Charisse Matthews is an Emmy Award-winning reporter and former host for the Arizona Cardinals, where she delivered exclusive multimedia content across platforms.

A proud ASU alumna, she launched her career with Fox Sports Arizona and other major outlets before shifting into entrepreneurship in 2020 with MONAT, where she now ranks in the top 1% of the company. A lifelong sports fan and dynamic host, Lisa continues to lead events, podcasts, and interviews, all while balancing life as a fire wife and mom of three active kids. Don't forget to stop by the Vendor Village!

Before and after each session, attendees will get the chance to shop and visit with a collection of Arizona-owned and operated businesses and entrepreneur-support organizations showcasing their products and services. We're awarding $50,000 to Arizona business owners State Forty Eight Foundation is committed to helping entrepreneurs get their business ideas into our communities.

Because we stand by our mission to foster the entrepreneurial spirit, we’ve created a grant fund of $50,000 for business owners who join us live and fulfill the outlined requirements. Eligible attendees will have the opportunity to apply and receive up to $10,000 from the grant pool.

Meet some of our 2024 Entrepreneur Grant Recipients Entrepreneur Grants Program Attendees will be eligible to apply for a grant by fulfilling the following requirements: Attend 3 of 4 Sessions Live In person or virtual livestream Fill Out 1 Post-Session Survey Emailed to attendees after each session Submit a Grant Application All attendees will receive a grant information email on 8/29, which includes details on the process and a link to the application.

Questions about the application process? Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about the grant application process and ask questions! September 8th Grants Info Session | 6 pm - Register Here September 11th Grants Info Session | 12pm - Register Here ‍ Attendance is not required for grant eligibility.

Interested in more resources? Revisit the live recorded Entrepreneur Speaker Series sessions from previous years: WATCH THE 2023 SESSIONS WATCH THE 2022 SESSIONS Hear from Carly Figman of the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation on their experience as the major sponsor for our 2021 Entrepreneur Speaker Series. 3245 N.

Arizona Ave. STE E5 foundation@statefortyeight. com