TENWEST WELCOMES HUSTL AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR 2026 FESTIVAL IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON

TUCSON, Ariz. — September 10, 2025 — Startup Tucson is proud to announce that HUSTL, a digital credit union designed for freelancers, solopreneurs, gig workers, and entrepreneurs — and a division of Vantage West Credit Union — has joined as the title sponsor of the 11th annual TENWEST Festival. Officially branded as TENWEST: Fueled by HUSTL, the event will return March 24–29, 2026, transforming Downtown Tucson into a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

The weeklong festival brings together founders, creatives, technologists, students, investors, and community leaders for programming that ranges from startup pitch competitions and leadership summits to concerts, cultural events, and networking activations — all designed to ignite bold ideas, spark collaboration, and empower entrepreneurs and creators to make a lasting impact in their communities.

Save the Date: March 24–29, 2026

Downtown Tucson, AZ | tenwest.com 

A Shared Vision for Empowering Entrepreneurs

Launched in 2024 by Vantage West Credit Union, HUSTL was created to meet the real-world needs of modern microbusinesses. With a mission to deliver banking at the pace of passion, HUSTL is tailored to the driven — freelancers, gig workers, and entrepreneurs who work unconventional hours, wear many hats, and build businesses from the ground up. This mission closely aligns with TENWEST’s focus on accessible tools, inclusive entrepreneurship, and amplifying diverse creative voices.

“Vantage West Credit Union created HUSTL to support the driven — the entrepreneurs and freelancers who are building something meaningful, one project at a time. TENWEST gives those creators a place to connect, grow, and be celebrated — and we’re proud to fuel that energy in 2026,” said Vantage West Chief Commercial and Impact Officer, Mark Papoccia.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome HUSTL as our new title sponsor. Their platform speaks directly to the spirit of TENWEST — resourceful, inclusive, and built for ambitious people doing extraordinary things. With HUSTL and Vantage West fueling the festival in 2026, we’re ready to take TENWEST to the next level and expand its reach across the Southwest,” said Startup Tucson and TENWEST CEO, Liz Pocock.

Vantage West Continues Its Support of Southern Arizona’s Innovation Ecosystem

As a presenting sponsor of TENWEST 2026, Vantage West Credit Union continues its longstanding commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in the region. A proud sponsor of previous TENWEST festivals, Vantage West’s return this year — alongside the launch of HUSTL — reflects its deep investment in the growth of Arizona’s microbusiness economy and local innovation ecosystem.

More Than a Conference – A Turning Point

TENWEST has long been known for its blend of professional development and creative experiences, but 2025 marked a true turning point. Programming featured Guy Raz (How I Built This), comedian-musician Reggie Watts, and over 150 speakers across three days of curated content. Attendees described the event as “transformational,” “an investment in self,” and “the reason I decided to launch my business.”

Last year’s highlights included:

• 4,500+ attendees, with 25% from outside the region

• 85+ breakout sessions and workshops

• $50,000 in entrepreneurial awards through IdeaFunding

• Wellness Summit, Mega Mixer, Lunch Links, and daily xEvents and networking

Startup Tucson and its partners are committed to growing TENWEST’s footprint. In 2026, the festival will continue to serve Southern Arizona’s founders and creatives while expanding access to new audiences across the Southwest to cities like Phoenix, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque, alongside the return of signature events like IdeaFunding, TENWESTx Talks, plus new activations powered by HUSTL and enhanced engagement opportunities from Vantage West.

About TENWEST & Startup Tucson

TENWEST is a weeklong festival exploring the intersection of entrepreneurship, creativity, technology, and impact, hosted annually in Downtown Tucson. Organized by Startup Tucson, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the regional economy through innovation and inclusion, TENWEST blends professional development with cultural celebration — bringing together founders, creatives, students, professionals, and community leaders to connect, grow, and ignite bold ideas. Startup Tucson supports hundreds of entrepreneurs year-round through mentorship, workshops, and ecosystem-building initiatives that help Southern Arizona thrive. Learn more at www.tenwest.com and www.startuptucson.com.

About HUSTL & Vantage West Credit Union

HUSTL is an all-digital credit union designed for the driven. A division of Vantage West Credit Union, HUSTL was created to support go-getters across the country with smarter, simpler financial tools built around their lifestyle. With competitive rates, educational resources, and personalized member service, HUSTL makes banking feel less like a chore and more like a launchpad. Learn more at www.HUSTLFinancial.com. Vantage West Credit Union, headquartered in Tucson, is one of Arizona’s largest credit unions and a longtime advocate for community development and entrepreneurial success across the state.

Media Contacts:

Liz Pocock, CEO

Startup Tucson

liz@startuptucson.com

Rosanna Ramirez

PR & Market Development Manager

Rosanna.Ramirez@VantageWest.org