Entrepreneurial Fellow Pursues Knowledge and Connections

Steven Fernandez is pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the Eller College of Management and brings 10 years of experience in medical device, IT consulting, and warehouse automation to TLA. He attributes his ardent pursuit of entrepreneurship to his time at supply-chain robotic startup Symbotic.

“My time at Symbotic gave me the opportunity to problem solve in real-time and implement long term solutions within an industry that is making a big impact,” he said. “This gratifying experience greatly influenced my decision to earn an MBA and pursue entrepreneurship.”

In addition to his zeal for expanding his entrepreneurial skillset, Fernandez is excited about how the fellowship is connecting him with Tucson’s startup network along with TLA’s accomplished team members.

“What drew me to the program was the opportunity to work with Tucson entrepreneurs as well as to learn from the MIRs and the wealth of knowledge they bring to the organization.”

Fernandez has been paired with Mentor-In-Residence Steven Wood, who has more than 25 years of startup and executive management experience and has significantly impacted the commercialization efforts of both TLA and UArizona’s Center for Innovation.

Wood shares his experience working with Fernandez and the value his background has brought to TLA.

“Steven has been immersed in real startup activities. Having him on the team to contribute his expertise in resolving start-up challenges is both advantageous for the organization and an opportunity for him to experience the necessary ingredients required to launch a successful start-up.”

Keep an eye out for next month’s profile as we feature Student Fellow Ryan Ott and highlight the impact TLA is making through real world student engagement.

In January 2020 Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) launched its Student Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program to dovetail student talent and TLA’s commercialization efforts. Designed to engage students in the entrepreneurial process, the program links each Fellow with UArizona startup projects under the guidance of a TLA Mentor-in-Residence. Over the course of their employment with TLA the Student Entrepreneurial Fellows will work closely with the venture development team and gain valuable experience in the startup assessment, mentoring and launch process.

Read more about the program in our first profile from February 2020.