ABOUT TENWEST
Founded by Startup Tucson in 2015 and hosted yearly in Downtown Tucson, the traditional lands of the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme) peoples, TENWEST is southern Arizona’s biggest professional development experience. Part professional summit, part community festival, TENWEST brings you the latest trends in cutting-edge technology, entrepreneurship and creativity to help you ignite bold ideas, take charge of your career, and make a lasting impact on your community.
The weeklong event welcomes thousands of diverse attendees to participate in a multi-day conference, nightly xEvents, inspiring keynotes, and numerous partner events and experiences, where they gain actionable strategies to think bigger and achieve more, giving them the tools and the knowledge to grow their business, and the connections to expand their impact in the community.
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WHAT IS TENWEST?
TENWEST is southern Arizona’s biggest professional development experience. Part professional summit, part community festival, TENWEST brings you cutting-edge thought leadership in technology, entrepreneurship and creativity to help you ignite bold ideas, take charge of your career, and make a lasting impact on your community. We are honored to host the TENWEST event on the traditional lands of the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme) peoples. We are excited to build community through this event.
WHY ATTEND TENWEST?
Whether you’re a creative, entrepreneur, change-maker, or ambitious professional, TENWEST helps you think bigger and achieve more, giving you the tools to take action, the knowledge to grow your business, and the connections to expand your impact in the community.
We’ve abandoned the drab convention center aesthetic for the urban awesomeness that is Downtown Tucson, hosting events, breakout sessions, and panels at some cool bars and venues in the downtown area.
Take a look at the 2025 map to see how we spread the experience across Downtown Tucson.
WHERE IS TENWEST?
WHo IS STARTUP TUCSON?
Startup Tucson is 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to transform Southern Arizona's economy through entrepreneurship and education. Startup Tucson executes this mission by providing education and culture building programs and events to grow a high-impact entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem. The largest of these events is TENWEST! This is why TENWEST showcases the regional innovation ecosystem and works to elevate entrepreneurs in all aspects of what it does.
OUR MISSION
We seek to showcase Southern Arizona as a center of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for local and national attendees. We aim to foster a culture of innovation by providing attendees an opportunity to discover how the connectivity of ideas and people across industries can create tangible impact in communities of all sizes.
OUR VISION
We imagine a Tucson and Southern Arizona that is seen by both locals and nationwide as an inspiring and ideal place to connect with. In less than ten years we aim to host over 10,000 annual attendees and be a destination for not only regional attendees, but those looking to discover and be inspired by the uniqueness of Southern Arizona.
The TENWEST model is built on three pillars: Learn, Connect, and Experience. We design every element of the festival to spark new ideas, meaningful relationships, and unforgettable moments that inspire action both during the week and long after.
The Indigenize TENWEST initiative, in partnership with the Indigenous Community Collaborative and aligned with Startup Tucson’s Rooted in Arizona Indigenous Loan Program, is committed to empowering Native American communities in Arizona. By showcasing the expertise of Native entrepreneurs and providing resources to support their growth, the initiative aims to increase representation, highlight Indigenous innovation, and build lasting partnerships that create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Indigenous Empowerment Initiative offers discounted or complimentary passes to Indigenous attendees, prioritizing first-time attendees, small business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs.
The Community Access Initiative provides scholarships to ensure the Fest remains accessible, with priority for early-stage entrepreneurs, creatives, non-profit professionals, teachers, and first-time attendees.
Students play a vital role in the TENWEST experience, bringing fresh ideas, curiosity, and energy to the festival. Whether attending panels, volunteering, or showcasing their own projects, students have the opportunity to learn from local leaders, connect with professionals, and explore real-world pathways in innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. TENWEST is proud to create space for the next generation of changemakers.