Designing City-led Innovation: Strategic Support for Tempe’s Entrepreneurs

The City of Tempe is a dynamic hub of innovation and economic activity within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, home to over 190,000 residents and the Arizona State University Tempe Campus. Committed to fostering inclusive growth and supporting local entrepreneurship, the City is exploring new ways to strengthen its role in supporting its business community. Graduate students from the School of Public Affairs will assess how Tempe can enhance its support for entrepreneurs by identifying gaps in services, analyzing best practices from incubator and accelerator models nationwide, and mapping the existing entrepreneurial landscape in the Greater Phoenix area. Students will conduct a comprehensive study using stakeholder interviews, surveys, and site visits to evaluate needs and opportunities for service alignment. Final deliverables will include practical, evidence-based recommendations for new services, infrastructure, or partnerships that Tempe could pursue to strengthen its entrepreneurial community.