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Pitch It Forward:
Innovative Solutions to Homelessness

Tucson is a thriving hub that attracts and nurtures entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and innovators, fostering a culture of social impact. 

This diverse and dynamic environment provides a wealth of resources and support for individuals dedicated to making positive change in society. 

With an abundance of startups, nonprofits, and small businesses, our city offers great opportunities for innovation and new ventures aimed at tackling social issues, including the pressing issue of homelessness. 

Calling All Visionaries, Innovators, and
Community Advocates!

Please join us for our first ever Hackathon event on February 3, 2024.  Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in your community? We are excited to host a 4-Hour Solutions Hackathon focused on developing actionable strategies to combat homelessness in our city. We need YOUR ideas to drive changeo

Here's What You Can Expect:

  • Kickoff with a Bang: Start with some tasty cuisine and refreshments to spark your brainstorming!
  • Collaborative Teams: Unite with community members, leaders, and advocates in a think-tank format!
  • Guidance from Experts: Learn and receive advice from those who know the issues best.
  • Idea Generation: Dive deep into discussion, and let the ideas flow with the help of our facilitators.
  • Presentation & Feedback: Pitch your team’s solutions and get immediate feedback.
  • Connection & Collaboration: Meet and mingle with people who share your commitment to social change.

Who Should Be There?

Are you worried that you don’t have the knowledge or experience to help?  No problem!  We’re looking for anyone with a desire to help — activists, thinkers, planners, students, professionals, and anyone in between.
Your perspective is valuable in our shared mission to end homelessness.
Kickoff Hackathon
Come together, learn, and share insights about innovative solutions to tackle homelessness!
Educational & Interactive Workshops
Discover tools and strategies to utilize entrepreneurship for impact, and learn to successfully pitch innovative solutions to social issues.
Social Impact Pitch Competition
The final event will culminate in a social innovation pitch competition late next Spring, where the most promising ideas may be awarded funding.
February 3, 2024
Early Spring 2024
Late Spring 2024

Ready to brainstorm for change?

Yes, I'm interested!

Powered By Partnership

Recognizing Tucson’s unique positioning, Community Investment Corporation (CIC), in collaboration with Startup Tucson and with support from Michael Miles, a seasoned tech executive turned social impact leader, is organizing a series of events to bring together the brightest minds and foster collaboration and creative problem-solving to find sustainable solutions to homelessness.

Startup Tucson was founded in 2012 on the heels of one of the first Startup Weekends in Tucson. Since that time, the innovation community has grown tremendously with more funding, support organizations, accelerators, and incubators popping up every year.

Startup Tucson has continued to serve as an advocate, educator, and connector for entrepreneurs. We serve over 3,000 entrepreneurs each year with over 300 active members in our network membership.  Our alumni have brought over 44 million dollars of investment and over 400 new jobs in the short years since our founding. startuptucson.com

Michael Miles

With 20 years at Microsoft focusing on product development, strategic leadership, and operational excellence, Michael is a seasoned tech executive turned social impact leader. Upon retirement, he pivoted to academia as a Mentor-in-Residence and Lecturer at the University of Arizona, focusing on entrepreneurship and social impact at both undergraduate and graduate levels and leading impact-focused workshops in US and Europe. Simultaneously, Michael serves on the executive board of a Global Health nonprofit and a Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator and as an advisor to numerous mission-driven organizations,  applying his corporate skills to make a tangible difference in these organizations. As an early-stage investor and regular speaker at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, he provides invaluable insights on social impact, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial finance. His leadership is a unique blend of technical skills, corporate acumen, dedication to equity, and a profound commitment to social impact.