PHOENIX - s4story -- At the 13th annual Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo hosted by the Arizona Technology Council and presented by South32, six Southern Arizona companies were honored for their achievements across multiple categories. The Expo brought together more than 60 companies and 400 attendees on October 15 to celebrate the exciting innovations and business successes in the region and the convergence of advancements in battery and mining technology, optics and photonics, and artificial intelligence.

"This year's Expo truly embodied the theme 'Convergence: Where Innovation Meets Industry,' showcasing how collaboration and creativity are driving Southern Arizona's tech ecosystem forward," said Karla Morales, vice president, Southern Arizona Regional Office of the Council. "From startups to established industry leaders, our companies are transforming ideas into real-world solutions that fuel growth, strengthen communities and position Arizona as a hub for innovation and opportunity."

The Council honored these companies for their achievements in 2025 by transforming their industries through innovation and groundbreaking new products, as well as advancing Southern Arizona's technology sector:

• The Innovator of the Year Award was awarded to the City of Tucson's Information Technology department for its strategic artificial intelligence program that is responsibly integrating emerging technologies into government operations to align with ethical standards, public trust and measurable impact.
• The Manufacturer of the Year Award was awarded to both Dataforth and Edmund Optics. Dataforth is an innovator of signal conditioning, data acquisition and data communication products for growing factory automation markets. Edmund Optics designs and assembles complex electro-optical/mechanical assemblies for a wide range of applications and customers. The company recently completed an expansion of its facility in Tucson to allow further growth of its team and capabilities.
• The Member Organization of the Year Award was awarded to Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) at The University of Arizona. TLA has been a member of the Council since 2012. Since then, TLA has been a generous partner, sponsoring events and providing access to facilities and subject matter experts who enrich Council members' experience. TLA ensures innovations originating with U of A faculty, researchers, staff and students find meaningful applications that benefit the public.
• The Startup of the Year Award was awarded to Branch Therapeutics, which is developing a simple pill targeting the root cause of cancer relapse: stem cells. These are the rare cells that survive chemotherapy and can cause cancer to return. By stopping these cells, Branch's drug aims to give patients a better chance at staying cancer-free longer. The company's early focus is colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States.
• The Environmental, Sustainability and Governance Award was awarded to Technicians for Sustainability (TFS), an employee-owned cooperative dedicated to helping customers translate their environmental values into a practical reality. TFS installs high-integrity solar energy systems built to last and uses solar power, makes fuel-efficient transportation choices, and, whenever possible, chooses to do business with companies that hold values, standards and ethics aligned with those of TFS.

"The recognition of these outstanding companies not only highlights their achievements but also reflects the collaborative spirit that drives our region's success," Morales added. "Southern Arizona is poised to continue shaping the future through innovation and community-focused progress."

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Carbon Utility (https://www.carbonutility.com/) and Rhody Drones Search and Rescue (https://www.rhodydronessar.com/) also were highlighted at the Expo. Carbon Utility is building closed-loop systems that localize production of critical products by turning air and water into low-carbon fuels and advanced materials. Jay Foster, the company's CEO, gave an update on the pilot commercial program in Holbrook to refine equipment design and process. Rhody Drones Search and Rescue, a specialized division of Little Rhody Drones, supports emergency responders with drone-based search, rescue and recovery operations. The company has developed custom drone software and trained numerous police departments and first responders on using drones for rescue operations.