Behind every successful startup ecosystem is a group of people doing the work most founders never see. Patti DuBois and Jeff Saville lead the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI), Arizona's premier business incubator and the organization behind Venture Cafe Phoenix. In this conversation with Alex Koupal, they share how CEI has evolved from supporting individual startups into helping strengthen the relationships, infrastructure, and collaboration that power Arizona's innovation economy.

They reflect on the origins of Venture Cafe Phoenix, the ecosystem-wide effort that inspired it, and the years of behind-the-scenes work required to create a place where entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, educators, and community leaders can consistently connect. Along the way, they discuss why community matters just as much as capital, why no startup succeeds in isolation, and how Arizona's willingness to collaborate has become one of its greatest competitive advantages.

Listeners will gain an inside look at the role incubators play beyond office space—from mentoring founders and validating ideas to integrating AI into startup support and helping entrepreneurs navigate today's increasingly complex funding landscape. Patti and Jeff also share practical advice for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders who want to help Arizona continue growing as a place where innovation thrives.

As Arizona's entrepreneurial community continues to mature, conversations like this reveal that lasting ecosystems aren't built by any one company. They're built by people who create opportunities for others to succeed.

• • How CEI helps founders move from idea to scalable business
• • Why Venture Cafe Phoenix was created and the ecosystem challenge it was designed to solve
• • The role business incubators play beyond providing workspace
• • Why relationships remain one of Arizona's greatest competitive advantages
• • How AI is changing startup support and venture readiness
• • What founders should know before seeking investment
• • Why collaboration—not competition—has helped strengthen Arizona's innovation ecosystem
• • Practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to validate ideas and grow faster

Patti DuBois serves as Assistant Executive Director and Jeff Saville serves as Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI). Together, they lead one of Arizona's most influential startup support organizations, helping entrepreneurs access mentorship, specialized resources, strategic guidance, and the collaborative community needed to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses. Their leadership has also been instrumental in growing Venture Cafe Phoenix into one of the state's leading conveners for Arizona's innovation ecosystem.

Venture Cafe Phoenix: An Extraordinary Podcast explores the people, stories, and relationships shaping Arizona's innovation ecosystem.

Hosted by Alex Koupal, the podcast features conversations with founders, innovators, investors, educators, executives, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders working to make Arizona a place where ideas grow, businesses thrive, and meaningful connections happen.

Powered by CEI (Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation), Legacy Sponsor the City of Phoenix, and produced by Extraordinary.