"Moonshot, a leading Arizona-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, is preparing for its 6th Annual Rural Arizona Pitch Competition Tour. The state-wide event will expand to 20 stops across rural Arizona, offering entrepreneurs the chance to present their innovative ideas and compete for local prizes. For the first time, it will include bilingual resources and mentorship opportunities to better serve Arizona’s diverse communities. "The Pitch Tour is a tremendous rally point … [Read more...] about Moonshot Announces Expanded Rural Arizona Pitch Competition Tour with Bilingual Mentors
Moonshot
Puzzle Rides Turns Sightseers into Wild West Crime Solvers and Pirates
What began as a golf cart taxi service that merely broke even has evolved into an award-winning and profitable guided tour adventure that invites Wild West bank robbers, pirates and ghosts along for the journey. And this has Puzzle Rides founder Katie Dufort thrilled. On Friday, Aug. 2, Dufort won the grand prize of $10,000 in the statewide Moonshot Rural Pitch Tour Competition in Cottonwood. She says the award will help her expand the hours of current staff members and hire more tour guides at … [Read more...] about Puzzle Rides Turns Sightseers into Wild West Crime Solvers and Pirates
Entrepreneurs Launched
The concept of detecting a wildfire from space and extinguishing it with a squad of firefighting drones is gaining support. Snuffed, a 22-member team including engineers, astronomers and firefighters, successfully pitched its plan to representatives of the City of Flagstaff’s Economic Development and Sustainability department on Saturday, May 4. The idea calls for launching 90 satellites to watch the West for ignitions. Flagstaff Fire Captain Mike Felts, a member of Snuffed, shared his … [Read more...] about Entrepreneurs Launched
‘Miles for the Missing’ Virtual Race to Support Investigation Costs for Families
Hundreds of thousands of people go missing every year, often leaving loved ones with unanswered questions and broken hearts. However, the situation is especially dire among Indigenous women because many cases go unreported. The National Institute for Law and Justice (NILJ), a non-profit organization with local ties, wants to help those families by providing funds to investigate the cases. To do so, volunteers are planning a virtual fundraising run/walk/bike race from May 1-31 called “Miles for … [Read more...] about ‘Miles for the Missing’ Virtual Race to Support Investigation Costs for Families
Supporting Businesses through the Innovate Waste Challenge
Business and entrepreneurship are generators of exceptional creativity, ingenuity and effort. Historically, many of the great advances of our society have come from a combination of entrepreneurship and government working together to address common problems. It is with this in mind that the City of Flagstaff, with multiple divisions participating, Moonshot and Northern Arizona University (NAU) are working collaboratively on the Innovate Waste Challenge. This competition provides funding from … [Read more...] about Supporting Businesses through the Innovate Waste Challenge
Moonshot Welcomes Jeff Saville as Executive Director
Moonshot is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jeff Saville as the new executive director for the Flagstaff Campus, a move that marks a significant step in the organization’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Northern Arizona. With more than a decade of experience in developing and administering business incubation programs, Moonshot officials say Saville is well equipped to take on this role within the Moonshot family. Scott Hathcock, president and CEO of … [Read more...] about Moonshot Welcomes Jeff Saville as Executive Director
Moonshot Invites Entrepreneurs to Pitch Their Ideas
Moonshot is looking for the innovator or entrepreneur with the next great idea. The 2024 Moonshot Rural Pitch Tour – an entrepreneurship contest similar to ABC’s “Shark Tank” – starts this month in Wickenburg. Pitch contests are scheduled in 16 cities across the state, reaching Flagstaff May 3 and 4, and culminating in Cottonwood with the final statewide competition in August. Last year, Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski and his wife, Ruth Ellen, made their pitch and won the statewide competition … [Read more...] about Moonshot Invites Entrepreneurs to Pitch Their Ideas
New Small Business Reporting Rule Targets Small to Mid-Sized Companies.
Starting January 1, 2024, a significant change in financial reporting will impact small to mid-sized businesses in the United States. The new federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Rule, finalized by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in September 2022, is set to implement Section 6403 of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The BOI Reporting Rule is a serious new obligation that impacts almost all small and mid-sized for-profit businesses,” said attorney … [Read more...] about New Small Business Reporting Rule Targets Small to Mid-Sized Companies.
Moonshot Launches Campaign to Propel Future Missions
Moonshot, an entrepreneurial and workforce development non-profit organization, is unveiling its inaugural two-year campaign, aimed at advancing its mission to bolster startups and foster economic prosperity across rural Arizona and beyond. In 2017, Moonshot embarked on a profound rebranding journey, inspired by Flagstaff’s historic role in the Apollo moon landings. Mirroring Flagstaff’s contribution to the triumphant Apollo 11 mission, Moonshot empowers emerging businesses by providing … [Read more...] about Moonshot Launches Campaign to Propel Future Missions
Celebrating Amanda Kristinat’s Legacy on Flagstaff’s Start-Up Community
On behalf of the Moonshot organization and NACET community, I am deeply saddened to share the loss of our dear partner and friend, Amanda Kristinat. She wasn’t the kind of person who sought the spotlight; she allowed me to be that beacon. Amanda epitomized quiet strength, thriving in a supportive, behind-the-scenes role focusing on finance, grant writing and operations. Through the years, her invaluable contributions benefited organizations such as the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, … [Read more...] about Celebrating Amanda Kristinat’s Legacy on Flagstaff’s Start-Up Community
