Innovation Zones and SkySong
At SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, we offer more than premium office space —
we provide an innovation ecosystem. When companies choose to co-locate here, they plug into
Arizona State University’s (ASU) dynamic entrepreneurial and research network. This is not just
a place to lease — it’s a place to grow, to partner, and to scale.
The Value of Being in an ASU Innovation Zone
Locating your company at SkySong means joining one of Arizona State University’s premier Innovation Zones—dynamic hubs designed to accelerate business growth through talent, partnerships, visibility, and access to world-class university resources. As an Innovation Zone tenant, your organization gains a suite of exclusive advantages tailored to help companies innovate, compete, and thrive.
A Comprehensive Suite of Tenant Benefits
ASU offers two benefit tiers based on the size of a company’s dedicated office footprint within the Innovation Zone:
Maroon Benefits
For companies with less than 5,000 square feet of dedicated office space.
Maroon-level companies gain meaningful access to ASU talent, services, and cultural amenities, including:
10% off ASU base tuition for employees through the Innovation Zone Scholarship
Up to $25,000 in scholarships for employees enrolled in select W. P. Carey School of Business graduate programs
Small Business Partnership rate with ASU Career Services
50% discount on meeting and event rentals at SkySong
Group ticket discounts for Sun Devil Athletics
Ticket discounts to ASU Gammage performances for employees and guests
Up to 10% off relocation assistance through Dircks Moving & Logistics
Up to 25% off customized or ready-to-enroll upskilling courses through ASU CareerCatalyst
Free and discounted opportunities to showcase your company at Movies on the Field in Mountain America Stadium
Gold Benefits
For companies with more than 5,000 square feet of dedicated office space.
Gold-level companies enjoy all Maroon benefits plus elevated strategic visibility and workforce advantages:
10% off ASU base tuition for employees through the Innovation Zone Scholarship
Up to $25,000 in scholarships for select W. P. Carey graduate business programs
20% discount for one year on any Employer Partnership with ASU Career Services
50% discount on meeting and event rentals at SkySong
Group ticket discounts for Sun Devil Athletics
ASU Gammage ticket discounts for employees and their guests
Up to 10% off relocation assistance through Dircks Moving & Logistics
Up to 25% off customized or ready-to-enroll upskilling courses through ASU CareerCatalyst
Discounted group packages at Sparky’s Fairway, plus promotional opportunities at Movies on the Field
LinkedIn feature spotlighting your company on ASU Corporate & Economic Development social channels
5% discount on Arizona PBS creative services, including sponsorships and video production, plus preferred access to a complimentary Jobs Explained video (subject to capacity; available to tech, health care, and construction industries)
Designed to Help Companies Innovate and Grow
These benefits reflect ASU’s commitment to supporting companies that choose to locate within its Innovation Zones. Whether you’re looking to recruit top-tier talent, expand your workforce’s skills, enhance your corporate visibility, or reduce operational costs, the Innovation Zone program provides meaningful value that amplifies your ability to succeed.
SkySong combines these incentives with its vibrant business ecosystem, ASU partnerships, and world-class location to offer one of the most compelling innovation environments in the region.
Strategic Advantages of SkySong’s Location & Ecosystem
Beyond Innovation Zone-specific benefits, SkySong provides a powerful strategic base:
Deep ASU Integration
- Direct access to ASU faculty, researchers, and world-class facilities.
- Research partnerships: companies can engage in applied research with ASU, leveraging university labs and talent.
- A large and diverse pipeline of student interns, graduates, and alumni — ASU has over 194,000 students (in-person and online) and more than 650,000 global alumni.
Vibrant Innovation & Startup Ecosystem
- Home to over 80 companies (startups to Fortune 500) on site.
- Access to ASU entrepreneurship programs: Acceleration cohorts, licensing opportunities, and mentorship networks all operate out of SkySong.
- Co-working and event spaces, like 1951@SkySong, foster creativity, community, and collaboration.
Built for Innovation & Sustainability
- SkySong is a 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use campus with Class-A office, retail, residential, and hotel components.
- The campus was masterfully designed to promote pedestrian interaction, shade, and energy efficiency — including architectural strategies to reduce heat gain and lower operational costs.
- LEED-certified buildings and sustainable design reflect a long-term commitment to environmental resilience.
Prime Location & Access
- Strategically positioned in South Scottsdale’s McDowell Road Corridor, near major freeways (Loop 101), and minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
- Located just three miles from ASU’s Tempe campus, giving companies and employees easy access to university resources.
- The vibrant area offers retail, dining, and lifestyle amenities — making it easy to attract and retain talent.
Economic & Innovation Impact
- More than 250 startup companies have been launched from SkySong, raising more than $1.5 billion in venture capital.
- The development has had tremendous local economic impact and is projected to generate tens of billions in regional output over time.
- SkySong has earned recognition for innovation in economic development via awards from UEDA, IEDC, and SSTI.
Why This Matters to Your Company
- Talent Advantage
You’ll be embedded in one of the most innovative research universities in the U.S., with direct access to students, faculty, and graduates. - Cost Efficiency
Innovations Zone benefits help reduce costs — through tuition support, facility discounts, and relocation perks. - Credibility & Exposure
Association with ASU and SkySong increases your visibility in the innovation community, amplifying your story to investors, customers, and partners. - Scalability
As you grow, you can scale up within the SkySong ecosystem — from small coworking offices to large corporate space — without losing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. - Collaboration Opportunities
Proximity to other like-minded firms, startups, and university researchers creates - Recruitment & Retention
SkySong’s location and work environment make it easier to find and retain the best talent.
The Perfect Location for Innovation
From SkySong’s perspective, hosting companies in the ASU Innovation Zone is not just about
leasing space — it’s about building a community of innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
For companies considering SkySong, the advantages are compelling: access to ASU’s talent
and research, economic incentives, an engaged innovation ecosystem, sustainable infrastructure,
and a high-profile base in the heart of a thriving metropolitan corridor.
By co-locating here, companies don’t just find an address — they gain a strategic partner in
ASU, a seat in a globally ambitious innovation hub, and a platform to scale with impact.