Continued New Leasing Activity Bucks Office Trends in Metro Phoenix

SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center is seeing the benefits of its innovative approach with a flurry of new leasing activity. 

SkySong remains one of the Valley’s most dynamic and vibrant business hubs by consistently evolving to meet the needs of today’s businesses, startups, and professionals.

The headliner in the latest flurry of activity is a new lease by Yelp for a space in SkySong 4. SkySong has been pursuing Yelp as a tenant for several years and the project team is very pleased to finally have them as a partner. It’s also a sign that larger employers are returning to in-office work environments. 

Additionally, three other companies have renewed or expanded their presence in the project:

• Medicare Benefits Direct (dba Get Me Healthcare) is expanding from 3,714 square feet in SkySong 3 to 8,648 square feet in the building.
• Integrity Express Logistics (3,118 square feet) and Solugenix (2,093 square feet) are tenants in SkySong 1 and 3, respectively. 

With its unique combination of cutting-edge workspaces, walkable dining and entertainment options, premier hospitality, and residential opportunities, SkySong continues to thrive as a top-tier leasing option for companies and entrepreneurs seeking an innovative, flexible environment.

“SkySong provides an environment where innovation and lifestyle meet,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, the master developer of SkySong. “The project continues to evolve and adapt, making it a one-stop destination for businesses looking to grow and succeed while also offering their teams an exceptional work-life balance.”

SkySong’s success lies in its mixed-use work-live-play model, offering tenants more than just office space. Businesses leasing at SkySong benefit from access to a range of on-site amenities that include walkable restaurants, retail spaces, hospitality services, and housing options – all designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and convenience. 

Tenants can enjoy a balance of professional workspaces and vibrant leisure spaces, with access to both indoor and outdoor gathering areas for meetings, networking, and social events.

The SkySong complex is also well-known for its close partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), giving tenants access to world-class academic resources, research initiatives, and collaboration opportunities with one of the nation’s leading public research universities. It was first imagined by ASU President Michael Crow and the City of Scottsdale in 2004.

This unique connection strengthens the innovative ecosystem that defines SkySong, fostering opportunities for businesses to partner with ASU researchers, hire talented graduates, and engage in collaborative projects that push the boundaries of innovation.

Currently, SkySong boasts an occupancy rate of 88 percent, a testament to its ability to continually attract new businesses while retaining long-standing tenants. The addition of residential units and hospitality options has bolstered SkySong’s appeal as a fully integrated community that caters to businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

As leasing demand continues to rise, SkySong remains committed to adapting its offerings to meet the needs of an evolving business landscape. From flexible lease terms to innovative office layouts, SkySong is designed to support the future of work, providing tenants with the space and resources they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.

Plaza Companies is the master developer of SkySong, in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies. Plaza Companies provides development, financing, construction oversight, leasing renewals and expansions and property management at SkySong. The Coppola Cheney Group of Lee & Associates is SkySong’s leasing broker.

SkySong is a 42-acre mixed use development designed to:

• Create an ecology of collaboration and innovation among high-profile technology enterprises and related researchers.
• Advance global business objectives of on-site enterprises.
• Raise Arizona’s profile as a global center of innovation through the co-location of Arizona State University’s strategic global partners. 
• Create a unique regional economic and social asset.

Companies located at SkySong have the opportunity to partner with ASU, which has more than 145,000 students studying across four metropolitan Phoenix campuses, in Lake Havasu City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. and online. ASU is one of the largest public universities in the nation, with the majority of its students attending its campus in Tempe, Arizona, less than three miles from SkySong. 

In addition to locating its own innovative research units at the center, through ASU’s on-site operations, tenant companies have a single point of contact for introductions to researchers, faculty and programs to address their specific needs.

For more information on SkySong, visit SkySong.com or follow developments on Facebook.  

Community Event Celebrates Visual, Performing Arts Created by Scottsdale K-12 Students

A family festival to celebrate visual and performing arts created by Scottsdale students is returning in late March for its third year. 

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong will be held on March 21 and 22, 2025 at SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center in south Scottsdale. The event is a partnership between Arizona State University, the Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Arts, the City of Scottsdale, and the SkySong development team. 

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong will be a free, two-day festival of creativity that includes performances, interactive demonstrations, creative interventions, and culinary delights from local food trucks throughout the SkySong campus.  

Over the course of the event, attendees will experience performances and art exhibitions delivered by Scottsdale Unified School District students, family friendly arts activities presented by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, and interactive demonstrations from City of Scottsdale departments.   

“We are so pleased to be part of the community’s third annual ArtsFest!” said Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel. “Our students have few opportunities to see and hear each other’s work, so this event has become a highlight of their school year.”

“Now in its third year, Family Arts Fest has quickly established itself as a celebration of the amazing creative gifts of Scottsdale’s student populations,” said Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO with Scottsdale Arts. “Born out of a partnership between Scottsdale Arts, SUSD, Skysong, and the City, Family Arts Fest showcases what’s possible when the region’s premiere school system and arts organization come together through arts education in and beyond the classroom.”

Scottsdale Community Partners (SCP) will be holding their annual Alli Ortega Empty Bowls Fundraiser in the lobby entrance of the event in SkySong Building 1. There will be bowls crafted by SUSD students and the Scottsdale community available for purchase, in addition to an online auction featuring class bowls, art, and various goods donated by the community. Funds raised will support all SCP programs, in partnership with City of Scottsdale Human Services, such as the Vista del Camino Food Bank, Back-to-School, and Healthy Packs weekend food program for SUSD students.

The event starts on Friday, March 21 and runs from 5 to 9 p.m. that day, and will resume Saturday, March 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be several different areas to explore, including: 

·       Main Stage: Relax under the iconic SkySong tent and enjoy performances throughout the event by SUSD choirs, bands, and orchestras. Festivities kick off on Friday, March 21 at 5pm with a welcome by SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel and other special guests.   

·       Art Exhibitions, Building 3, Synergy Room: See artworks created by more than 1,000 SUSD elementary, middle, and high school students.   

·       Arts Zone: Anyone can be an artist! Come make art with Scottsdale Arts through a variety of all-age friendly activities.   

·       Café Stage: Grab a snack and enjoy performances throughout the event by SUSD musical theater students, student choirs, strings, and orchestras.   

·       Community Zone: Meet our City of Scottsdale and community partners and learn all about the services and programs the city has to offer! 

·       Alli Ortega Empty Bowls: Scottsdale Community Partners (SCP) will be holding their annual Alli Ortega Empty Bowls Fundraiser in the lobby entrance of the event in SkySong Building 1. There will be bowls crafted by SUSD students and the Scottsdale community available for purchase, in addition to an online auction featuring class bowls, art, and various goods donated by the community.

Last year’s event was attended by more than 5,000 attendees and featured more than 800 choir, orchestra, theater, and band students performing on the Main Stage and Café Stage. It also featured art exhibitionswith work created by nearly 1,200 SUSD elementary, middle, and high school students from 39 schools. The event raised $46,834 through Scottsdale Community Partner’s Alli Ortega Empty Bowls program. 

“Scottsdale is home to a broad variety of family friendly events and we are thrilled to once again be adding the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong to that mix,” said Joy Racine, Community Involvement Manager, Citizen Service with the City of Scottsdale. “We look forward to recognizing the work of our local students at this exciting event and celebrating a successful third year.”

“We are very pleased to once again bring this celebration of the arts to life on the SkySong campus,” said Chris Anaradian, Director, Commercial Development for University Realty, LLC, a partner in SkySong. “SkySong has always embraced the arts and featured them prominently, and this is a great way to continue that tradition while further connecting with the community.”

Seed funding for the event was provided by a grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to Arizona State University. Sponsorships for the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong are available as well. For more information on the event, visit www.skysong.com/artsfest. 

Company Doubles in Revenue Since Moving to Scottsdale Hub

A leading and fast-growing company providing AI solutions in education has found a home at SkySong that has propelled its growth. 

OneOrigin, a leading technology company headquartered at SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, has established a global presence with operations in the Middle East and India. 

Specializing in advanced AI solutions, the company primarily focuses on transforming the education sector. Its commitment lies in providing comprehensive support to educational institutions, from admissions to student success and graduation, through innovative and high-quality technological solutions.

Founded in 2015, OneOrigin has rapidly grown in its nine years of operation, gaining recognition for its focus on cutting-edge technology. In 2022, the company made a strategic decision to relocate its headquarters to SkySong, marking a pivotal moment in its journey.

The move to SkySong in 2022 has proven to be one of the best decisions for OneOrigin. With a team of 150 employees and ongoing expansion efforts, the company now thrives in the collaborative and technologically advanced environment provided by SkySong.

Since its relocation, OneOrigin has experienced remarkable growth, achieving a remarkable 200 percent increase in revenue in 2023, as well as going from 90 to 150 employees. This outstanding expansion is a testament to the company’s innovative approach and successful adaptation to the dynamic environment facilitated by SkySong.

Abhinand Chincholi, the CEO of OneOrigin, said, “Since relocating to SkySong, we have moved offices multiple times, doubling in size to accommodate our unprecedented growth. SkySong pushes the definition of innovation, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

OneOrigin has forged a significant partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), spanning over half a decade. As one of the university’s key technology partners, OneOrigin plays a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience and administrative efficiency at ASU. This partnership underscores OneOrigin’s expertise and dedication to delivering advanced AI-driven solutions in the education sector.

Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, the Master Developer of SkySong, said the OneOrigin success story is a perfect example of the benefits of locating at SkySong. 

“We wanted to create an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship, along with connections to ASU and the innovative companies at SkySong, would foster growth,” she said. “We are thrilled to see the success of OneOrigin at SkySong and are pleased with how SkySong has become part of their expansion.” 

Scott Rubin of Plaza Companies, the master developer of SkySong, managed the lease transaction for OneOrigin’s expansion into larger space.

SkySong has provided OneOrigin with a dynamic and collaborative environment conducive to innovation and growth. Proximity to like-minded businesses and entrepreneurs has enhanced the company’s ability to network and develop strategic partnerships, contributing to its rapid development and expansion in the tech industry.

OneOrigin’s journey at SkySong exemplifies the transformative impact of the right business environment. SkySong’s dynamic setting, coupled with strategic partnerships and a commitment to innovation, has propelled OneOrigin to unprecedented heights. The case study stands as a testament to how the collaboration between technology companies and innovation hubs like SkySong can drive success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

About OneOrigin

OneOrigin is a rapidly growing technology company headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, with a strong international presence. The primary focus of OneOrigin lies in leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and digital transformation in the education sector. The company specializes in developing and delivering advanced solutions and products that cater to various aspects of education through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), Digital Transformation, Web Development, Cloud Computing, and more. For more information visit www.oneorigin.us. 

About SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center

SkySong is a 42-acre mixed use development designed to:

• Create an ecology of collaboration and innovation among high-profile technology enterprises and related researchers;
• Advance global business objectives of on-site enterprises;
• Raise Arizona’s profile as a global center of innovation through co-location of ASU’s strategic global partners; and
• Create a unique regional economic and social asset.

Plaza Companies is the developer of the project in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies. Lee and Associates provides the brokerage services and Plaza Companies provides the property management and construction services. For more information visit www.skysong.com. 

A family festival to celebrate visual and performing arts created by Scottsdale students is returning in late March after a big turnout in its inaugural year. 

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong will be held on March 22 and 23 at SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center in south Scottsdale. The event is a partnership between Arizona State University, the Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Arts, the City of Scottsdale, and the SkySong development team. 

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong will be a free, two-day festival of creativity that includes performances, interactive demonstrations, creative interventions, and culinary delights from local food trucks throughout the SkySong campus.  

Over the course of the event, attendees will experience performances and art exhibitions delivered by Scottsdale Unified School District students, family friendly arts activities presented by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, and interactive demonstrations from City of Scottsdale departments.   

“We are excited to bring back this collaboration with the city, its arts community and ASU to create an exceptional community event,” said Dr. Scott Menzel, Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent.  “This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to showcase the work of our visual and performing arts students in this kind of setting.”

“This event has emerged as tremendous addition to the arts scene in Scottsdale,” said Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO with Scottsdale Arts. “We are looking forward to once again showcasing the work of local students and continuing to enhance the arts in our community through this new event.” 

Scottsdale Community Partners (SCP) will be holding their annual Alli Ortega Empty Bowls Fundraiser in the lobby entrance of the event in SkySong Building 1. There will be bowls crafted by SUSD students and the Scottsdale community available for purchase, in addition to an online auction featuring class bowls, art, and various goods donated by the community. Funds raised will support all SCP programs, in partnership with City of Scottsdale Human Services, such as the Vista del Camino Food Bank, Back-to-School, and Healthy Packs weekend food program for SUSD students.

The event starts on Friday, March 22 and runs from 5 to 9 p.m. that day, and will resume Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be several different areas to explore, including: 

• Main Stage: Relax under the iconic SkySong tent and enjoy performances throughout the event by SUSD choirs, bands, and orchestras. Festivities kick off on Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m. with a welcome by SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel, and President & CEO of Scottsdale Arts Dr. Gerd Wuestemann.
• Art Exhibitions, 1951@SkySong, SkySong Building 1: See artworks created by over 1,000 SUSD elementary, middle, and high school students.  
• Arts Zone Activities: Participate in free artmaking activities delivered by Arizona-based artists. 
• Café Stage: Grab a snack and enjoy performances throughout the event by SUSD student choirs and orchestras.  
• Community Café: Meet our City of Scottsdale partners! Play games and make crafts in the park with Parks & Recreation, become an environmental steward with Solid Waste and Scottsdale Water, and be introduced to the technology and innovation techniques implemented throughout the City.

“Scottsdale is home to a broad variety of family friendly events and we are thrilled to once again be adding the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong to that mix,” said Joy Racine, Community Involvement Manager, Citizen Service with the City of Scottsdale. “We look forward to recognizing the work of our local students at this exciting event and celebrating a successful second year.”

“We are very pleased to once again bring this celebration of the arts to life on the SkySong campus,” said Chris Anaradian, Director, Commercial Development for University Realty, LLC, a partner in SkySong. “SkySong has always embraced the arts and featured them prominently, and this is a great way to continue that tradition while further connecting with the community.”

Seed funding for the event was provided by a grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to Arizona State University. Sponsorships for the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong are available as well. For more information on the event, visit www.skysong.com/artsfest. 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 1, 2023) – SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center is the proud recipient in the Art in Public Places category of Arizona Forward’s prestigious Environmental Excellence Awards, which took place on Saturday, April 29 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. 

The Art in Public Places award recognizes SkySong for the project’s many public art features that enhance the environment at SkySong and create a sense of place for tenants and visitors.

“SkySong has emerged as one of the most significant economic development projects in the region, and an important part of that is creating an experience for visitors, employees and residents that is unique and exceptional,” said Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies Sharon Harper.

Since its inception, the team behind SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center has embraced the concept of art in public places. There are several key elements of the project designed to enhance the visitor experience through public art, including:

• SkySong’s iconic shade structure is one of the most significant pieces of public art in the City of Scottsdale. Rising more than 100 feet into the air, the shade structure unites the architectural elements of the five SkySong office buildings while creating a visually stunning and iconic presence at the project. 
• Sunburst which was installed in 2020 approximately 20 feet above the ground just outside of SkySong 5, welcoming visitors to the project entering from Scottsdale Road onto SkySong Boulevard.
• The 157-room Element Hotel Scottsdale at SkySong is home to BALANCED, JOURNEY, an exclusive larger-than-life art installation prominently located at the hotel’s garden entrance.
• The newest building at SkySong, SkySong 5, boasts an impressive retro art piece in the lobby designed by Plaza Companies’ own Jonathan Stelzer. The playful, interactive installation is designed as a tribute to the early days of computers and technology.
• 1951@SkySong is a special event venue at SkySong that also features a retro feel and a celebration of the evolution of technology. Featuring a variety of multimedia artwork and throwback memorabilia.
• The central plaza of SkySong underneath the shade structure features two large murals that are designed to acknowledge the location of the property in the Southwest.

“The public art featured at SkySong is an important element of that experience and is at the heart of what makes SkySong unique,” said Don Couvillion, senior vice president of commercial development, with University Realty a partner with Plaza Companies – the master developer of SkySong. “This recognition is outstanding, and we are honored to receive this prestigious award.”

Companies located at SkySong have the opportunity to partner with Arizona State University, which has more than 100,000 students studying across four metropolitan Phoenix campuses, in Lake Havasu City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. ASU is one of the largest public universities in the nation, with the majority of its students attending its campus in Tempe, Arizona, less than three miles from SkySong.

In addition to locating its own innovative research units at the center, through ASU’s on-site operations, tenant companies have a single point of contact for introductions to researchers, faculty and programs to address their specific needs.

For more information on SkySong, visit SkySong.com or follow developments on Facebook.

For images of SkySong: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6xlddswhlr00m8x8bs5dd/h?dl=0&rlkey=zj9dzmoegnp0i9y3riej8ojii

About SkySong

Plaza Companies is the developer of the project in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies. Lee and Associates provides the brokerage services and Plaza del Rio Management Corporation provides the property management and construction services. Architects at SkySong include Pei Cobb Fried and Partners, DMJM Design, Butler Design Group and Kendle Design Collaborative.

About Plaza Companies

With offices in Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, Plaza Companies is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the management, leasing and development of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. Since 1982, Plaza Companies has established a proud track record as a competitive, connected and conscientious real estate firm with partnerships throughout the industries it serves. For more information, visit www.theplazaco.com.

About University Realty

University Realty is a subsidiary of ASU Enterprise Partners, a private, nonprofit organization that creates solutions and generates resources to extend Arizona State University’s reach and advance its charter. For more information, visit www.universityrealtyllc.org.

About Arizona Forward and Environmental Excellence Awards

Arizona Forward’s mission is to bring business and civic leaders together to promote cooperative efforts to improve the environmental sustainability and the economic vitality of our state and local regions. Its prestigious Environmental Excellence Awards program has served as Arizona’s signature sustainability recognition event for over 40 years. Initiated in 1980, the Environmental Excellence Awards Program is a benchmark for economic and environmental accomplishment. Across Arizona, leaders and teams are taking their vision for a better Arizona and turning it into action. More than 500 esteemed members of the Arizona community attend our gala each year including elected dignitaries, public officials, business leaders, and academic institutions. For more information, visit www.arizonaforward.org.

CIRQ+, Inc., a Smart + Clean Automation company for commercial properties, was selected as a finalist in the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics & Voice category for the 14^th annual SXSW Pitch® (formerly SXSW Accelerator). The company will present its autonomous robot technology that disinfects large spaces and helps fight the spread of Covid-19 and other pathogens.

SXSW Pitch is the marquee event of South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals Startups Track, where leading startups from around the world showcase some of the most impressive technology innovations to a panel of hand-picked judges and a live audience. Out of the 655 companies that applied to present at SXSW Pitch 2022 in March, CIRQ+ was selected among the 45 finalists spanning 9 separate categories.

“We are thrilled to share on this global stage how the CIRQ+ team developed CBOT, the world’s first IoT-enabled autonomous disinfecting robot in response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said says CIRQ+ Co-Founder and CEO, Yani Deros, who will be presenting. “CBOT helps protect people reentering buildings and spaces against pathogens. The system is positioned to become the new frontline technology to create healthier and safer environments today and for the future.”

CIRQ+ shares its space in SkySong 1 with parent company ATOM Innovation, which has occupied its space in the project since 2012. The company spun off from ATOM Innovation about five years ago and had been focused on creating “commercial smart room” solutions for the hospitality industry when the pandemic hit. They then expanded the capabilities of their AI Platform to create the CBOT and were able to hyper-develop the robot in about eight weeks in response to the crisis.

Since then, the company has been working to deploy into multiple markets including office, healthcare, hospitality and education fields to implement the technology and has secured over $40M in partnership agreements to adopt its robotic technology to protect people and spaces. CBOT’s unique subscription-based model, is more affordable than other robotic disinfecting solutions where a $3.3Bn dollar market is expected in the next few years. Deros said the presentation at SXSW “has already been a difference-maker for us” in attracting interest from potential investors and major partners from around the world.

Deros said that locating at SkySong has been key to the company’s success.

“It’s an impressive facility, which is always first and foremost,” he said. “It gives us access to a variety of conference rooms and meeting spaces, and it allows us to be connected with companies that are coming out of the ASU incubator spaces and other commercial companies to help advance their causes with disruptive innovations.”

Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, the master developer of the project, said the CIRQ+ story is an exciting addition to SkySong’s strong track record.

“We are always pleased to see success stories come out of SkySong, and this selection for CIRQ+ is yet another example of the innovation taking place at the project,” Harper said. “We congratulate Yani and the CIRQ+ and ATOMinnovation teams on their success and are pleased to help play a part in their growth.”

Plaza Companies is the master developer of SkySong, in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies.

Sally C. Morton, executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise, said the focus on technology at SkySong is helping companies such as CIRQ+ thrive.

“This is a tremendous recognition for CIRQ+ and a great example of the type of innovation that takes place every day at SkySong,” Morton said. “The relationship companies at SkySong enjoy with ASU, the country’s most innovative university, is an important part of the success we’re seeing in so many different ways.”

The Coppola Cheney Group of Lee & Associates is SkySong’s leasing broker, and Plaza Companies provides property management services for the project.

SkySong is a 42-acre mixed use development designed to:

• Create an ecology of collaboration and innovation among high-profile technology enterprises and related researchers;
• Advance global business objectives of on-site enterprises;
• Raise Arizona’s profile as a global center of innovation through co-location of ASU’s strategic global partners; and
• Create a unique regional economic and social asset.

Companies located at SkySong have the opportunity to partner with Arizona State University, which has more than 100,000 students studying across four metropolitan Phoenix campuses, in Lake Havasu City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. ASU is one of the largest public universities in the nation, with the majority of its students attending its campus in Tempe, Arizona, less than three miles from SkySong.

In addition to locating its own innovative research units at the center, through ASU’s on-site operations, tenant companies have a single point of contact for introductions to researchers, faculty and programs to address their specific needs.

For more information on SkySong, visit SkySong.com or follow developments on Facebook.

About SkySong

Plaza Companies is the developer of the project in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies. Lee and Associates provides the brokerage services and Plaza del Rio Management Corporation provides the property management and construction services. Architects at SkySong include Pei Cobb Fried and Partners, DMJM Design, Butler Design Group and Kendle Design Collaborative.

About Plaza Companies

With offices in Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, Plaza Companies is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the management, leasing and development of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. Since 1982, Plaza Companies has established a proud track record as a competitive, connected and conscientious real estate firm with partnerships throughout the industries it serves. For more information, visit www.theplazaco.com.

About University Realty

University Realty is a subsidiary of ASU Enterprise Partners, a private, nonprofit organization that creates solutions and generates resources to extend Arizona State University’s reach and advance its charter. For more information, visit www.universityrealtyllc.org.

About Holualoa Companies

Holualoa Companies is a real estate investment firm focused on the successful acquisition, repositioning, redevelopment and disposition of real estate assets. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with offices in Phoenix, Santa Monica, Hawaii and Paris, its investments span the United States and Europe and include office, retail, industrial, multi-family, hotel and mixed-use investment properties. Holualoa is an experienced investor for its own account and on behalf of a select group of private investors.

About the City of Scottsdale

Scottsdale is one of the state’s leading job centers, with a diverse economy built on medical research, high-tech innovation, tourism and corporate headquarters. Scottsdale is home to nearly 18,000 businesses supplying over 150,000 jobs. The high-tech innovation center SkySong, located just a few miles from Downtown, is designed to help companies grow through a unique partnership with nearby Arizona State University. The Scottsdale Cure Corridor is a partnership of premier health care providers and biomedical companies seeking to advance medicine and patient care through cutting-edge research. For more information, visit ChooseScottsdale.com.

About ATOM Innovation

ATOM is a full-service research and product innovation firm specializing in the commercialization of emerging products, technologies, and markets. ATOM has achieved international acclaim and recognition with its advanced development process that continually delivers resounding innovation solutions into a wide range of markets stretching from medical devices, office technology, consumer electronics, industrial equipment, furniture, IoT and wearable technologies. ATOM’s extensive successes and core capabilities deliver world class solutions within compressed timeframes coupled with high expectations on superior usability, design for manufacturing and best in class performance that become differentiators in the marketplace. www.atom-inc.co

About CIRQ+

CIRQ+ is an automation, and robotics platform for commercial properties helping protect people against pathogens while reducing costs with plug and play technology. Powered by an AI Cloud-based platform the system intelligently controls an IoT mesh network of sensor and devices that creates an industry first freestanding Energy Management System that can save 25 – 50% energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. In response to COVID-19, CIRQ+, created CBOT, the world’s first IOT autonomous disinfection robot that eliminates pathogens without manual labor creating healthier and safer spaces for all. www.cirqplus.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (November 15, 2021) —SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center is seeing two of its most significant current tenants expand their footprint even further in the coming months. 

NeoLight, a technology company that developed a device to eradicate neonatal jaundice, began as a startup in 2014 as the brainchild of four Arizona State University master’s degree students. They discovered a novel light therapy for infant jaundice, a condition that occurs in 60% of infants worldwide, to reduce treatment time significantly and provide the ability to treat from home.

The company started inside SkySong and continues to lease space there today. ASU’s Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative awarded them a $7,000 grant and a desk at SkySong to pursue their idea. The NeoLight team then built the product from the ground up while at SkySong, validated the product through clinical testing at Dignity Health and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and began raising funds successfully.

The company has manufactured more than 350 units, raised over $15 million in capital and treated thousands of babies to date. NeoLight is now expanding into a 2,000-square-foot space on the first floor of SkySong 1 as it evolves from the growth phase to scale. 

“SkySong is home,” said Vivek Kopparthi, co-founder and CEO of NeoLight when the company moved into its offices. “This is where we started; we started off as student entrepreneurs from ASU. I was in business school and my business partner was getting his masters at Fulton. There’s a lot of synergy and a lot of startups at work at SkySong so it is always that competitive environment.”

Additionally, HomeLight, the real estate technology company transforming the home buying and selling process for top real estate agents and their clients, recently announced it has moved its headquarters to the company’s offices in the SkySong Center. Previously, HomeLight was headquartered in San Francisco, where the company was founded in 2012. HomeLight has now expanded its existing SkySong footprint by 10,000 square feet to support the hiring of up to 300 employees in the region over the next 6-12 months. The expansive 25,000-square-foot space in SkySong 2 is HomeLight’s largest office in the United States and serves as an operational hub for the company’s customer service, sales, and title and escrow divisions. 

“Throughout HomeLight’s rapid growth, SkySong has proven itself to be the ideal headquarters for HomeLight’s innovation as we continue to expand and hire up to 500 employees within the Scottsdale area,” said Sumant Sridharan, Chief Operating Officer of HomeLight. “We look forward to deepening HomeLight’s roots within SkySong’s booming tech community as we continue to revolutionize the way people buy and sell homes throughout the country.”

“This is precisely how the SkySong model is designed to work, by providing companies with the resources they need to grow and innovate,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies. “We are pleased to see how these companies have grown in just a short time.”

Plaza Companies is the master developer of SkySong, in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies. 

Sally C. Morton, executive vice president, ASU Knowledge Enterprise, said the growth of these two companies is an ideal example of what can happen when innovation and entrepreneurship collide. 

“SkySong was built for this purpose — to help companies with groundbreaking ideas scale and grow,” Morton said. “It’s this kind of vision that has helped SkySong become one of the premier economic engines in the southwest, and we look forward to continuing this momentum well into the future.”

The Coppola Cheney Group of Lee & Associates is SkySong’s leasing broker, and Plaza Companies provides property management services for the project.

SkySong is a 42-acre mixed use development designed to:

• Create an ecology of collaboration and innovation among high-profile technology enterprises and related researchers;
• Advance global business objectives of on-site enterprises;
• Raise Arizona’s profile as a global center of innovation through co-location of ASU’s strategic global partners; and
• Create a unique regional economic and social asset.

Companies located at SkySong have the opportunity to partner with Arizona State University, which has more than 100,000 students studying across four metropolitan Phoenix campuses, in Lake Havasu City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. ASU is one of the largest public universities in the nation, with the majority of its students attending its campus in Tempe, Arizona, less than three miles from SkySong. 

In addition to locating its own innovative research units at the center, through ASU’s on-site operations, tenant companies have a single point of contact for introductions to researchers, faculty and programs to address their specific needs.

For more information on SkySong, visit SkySong.com or follow developments on Facebook.  

“As we broaden our supplier diversity, and diversity and inclusion programs across the country, we look forward to helping more companies boost economic empowerment, find meaningful social engagement and manage social equity initiatives,” said Thinkzilla CEO Dr. Velma Trayham. “We are incredibly proud of our track record of helping diverse businesses, communities and individuals, and look forward to connecting with the Scottsdale community to grow innovation and opportunities.”

Thinkzilla will lease space at SkySong, the Arizona State University (ASU) Scottsdale Innovation Center. SkySong attracts cutting-edge and innovative companies while integrating the resources of ASU with the opportunities of the private sector. In April 2021, the City of Scottsdale unanimously adopted an anti-discrimination ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

“Dr. Trayham’s company, Thinkzilla, as well as her entrepreneur accelerator program to support minority women as they scale their businesses, aligns with Scottsdale’s mission to support and attract businesses that promote diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega. “The City adopted economic development strategic plan and our anti-discrimination ordinance lets businesses know that Scottsdale is a destination for innovative and diverse companies like Thinkzilla, who we are thrilled to welcome to their new home at SkySong.”

Natural synergies exist between Thinkzilla and ASU as seen through the university’s leadership in DE&I and entrepreneurship and innovation. For the sixth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report named ASU the most innovative university in the nation. The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute serves as connecting and collaborating resources for entrepreneurs at all stages across ASU and Greater Phoenix, which helped lead Thinkzilla to SkySong.

“The addition of Thinkzilla to the SkySong community presents new opportunities for important and meaningful collaborations throughout the Valley,” said Grace O’Sullivan, Vice President of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Arizona State University. “We’re delighted to welcome Thinkzilla to Arizona.”

The Arizona State of Black Business March 2021 Report notes, “Black/African Americans have the highest percentage growth rate in the state. Black/African Americans face unique barriers to entrepreneurship and there is a need to increase support for Black-owned businesses including access to capital and direct financing pathways, startup resources, education, collaborative research, and assistance in identifying and navigating business opportunities.” Thinkzilla reinforces that inclusive, equitable businesses and communities drive prosperity, and by building, managing, and bringing awareness to those programs and initiatives further supports underserved and underrepresented communities.

“Thinkzilla is an exciting addition to Greater Phoenix’s robust service and business sector that will help propel our innovation-centered economy forward and provide resources and knowledge to our growing minority-owned businesses population,” said Chris Camacho, president & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “Our diversity is our greatest strength. Creating opportunity and an equitable community is accomplished only through inclusive growth, and we look forward to working with Thinkzilla, the City of Scottsdale and ASU to support their continued success.”

The Coppola-Cheney Group and Lee & Associates Arizona assisted with the real estate transaction. Plaza Companies is the master developer of SkySong, in partnership with University Realty, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies.

“We are pleased to welcome Thinkzilla to the SkySong family,” said Sharon Harper, chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies. “This is the kind of forward-thinking, innovative organization that will grow and thrive in the SkySong environment, and we are gratified they chose SkySong for their presence in the Phoenix area.”

The six-story, 151,000-square-foot office and research building in the heart of the project is the first building in the project to receive LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The other four office buildings are LEED Silver certified, and all have been developed with a commitment to healthy, environmentally friendly design – part of SkySong’s “Culture of Health and Innovation.”

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a certification program that sets the standard for environmentally responsible construction in the U.S. Buildings are measured based on the number of points they earn across the categories of green building, such as energy, water, indoor environment, location and materials.

SkySong has earned environmental recognition for the first four completed office buildings on the site, joining only a handful of projects in the Valley to have achieved Silver Certification of higher, and one of the few non-governmental projects to achieve such status.

“This certification means that the newest building at SkySong is also one of the greenest buildings in the entire Phoenix metro area,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman & CEO of Plaza Companies, the master developer of the SkySong project and SkySong 5. “We are very proud of SkySong 5 and are pleased with the success we have had in attracting new companies to the building thanks to its many exceptional features.”

Plaza Companies is the master developer of SkySong, in partnership with ASU University Realty, City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies.

Todd Hardy, managing director, ASU Knowledge Enterprise, said the certification is another example of the overall SkySong vision of innovation and technology.

“The LEED Gold certification shows how committed project teams are to creating a thriving work environment for the companies at SkySong,” Hardy said. “We appreciate the hard work of the design and construction teams in making this important recognition happen.”

The path to the LEED award began with the design process. SkySong 5 features sustainable strategies that were implemented, including:

• Use of native plant species and high-efficiency irrigation technology 
• High efficiency design and systems technology to achieve energy cost savings 
• Building materials that were specified and manufactured using recycled materials.
• Use of low-emitting materials like adhesives, sealants, paints, flooring, and composite wood to provide healthy indoor air quality
• Implementation of a Green Housekeeping Policy provided by the Plaza janitorial service contractor to optimize health indoor air quality for tenants and occupants during the building’s operational period
• Dedicated areas for collection and storage of recyclables within the building and onsite, including a tenant recycling waste disposal program provided by the janitorial service of the building
• Diversion of on-site construction waste from the landfill
• Use of low-flow plumbing fixtures to achieve water use reduction 
• Preferred parking reserved for sustainable vehicle transportation, like low-emissions vehicles, and even carpooling
• Sourcing of sustainably harvested and managed wood products, verified by the Forest Stewardship Certification program

SkySong is a 42-acre mixed use development designed to:

• Create an ecology of collaboration and innovation among high-profile technology enterprises and related researchers;
• Advance global business objectives of on-site enterprises;
• Raise Arizona’s profile as a global center of innovation through co-location of ASU’s strategic global partners; and
• Create a unique regional economic and social asset.

Companies located at SkySong have the opportunity to partner with Arizona State University, which has more than 100,000 students studying across four metropolitan Phoenix campuses, in Lake Havasu City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. ASU is one of the largest public universities in the nation, with the majority of its students attending its campus in Tempe, Arizona, less than three miles from SkySong. 

In addition to locating its own innovative research units at the center, through ASU’s on-site operations, tenant companies have a single point of contact for introductions to researchers, faculty and programs to address their specific needs.

For more information on SkySong, visit SkySong.com or follow developments on Facebook.  

About SkySong

Plaza Companies is the developer of the project in partnership with Arizona State University Foundation, the City of Scottsdale and Holualoa Companies. Lee and Associates provides the brokerage services and Plaza del Rio Management Corporation provides the property management and construction services. Architects at SkySong include Pei Cobb Fried and Partners, DMJM Design, Butler Design Group and Kendle Design Collaborative.

About Plaza Companies

With offices in Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, Plaza Companies is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the management, leasing and development of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. Since 1982, Plaza Companies has established a proud track record as a competitive, connected and conscientious real estate firm with partnerships throughout the industries it serves. For more information, visit www.theplazaco.com. 

About University Realty

University Realty is a subsidiary of ASU Enterprise Partners, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to generating resources for the benefit of Arizona State University. 

www.universityrealtyllc.org

About Holualoa Companies

Holualoa Companies is a real estate investment firm focused on the successful acquisition, repositioning, redevelopment and disposition of real estate assets. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with offices in Phoenix, Santa Monica, Hawaii and Paris, its investments span the United States and Europe and include office, retail, industrial, multi-family, hotel and mixed-use investment properties. Holualoa is an experienced investor for its own account and on behalf of a select group of private investors.

About the City of Scottsdale

Scottsdale is one of the state’s leading job centers, with a diverse economy built on medical research, high-tech innovation, tourism and corporate headquarters. Scottsdale is home to nearly 18,000 businesses supplying over 150,000 jobs. The high-tech innovation center SkySong, located just a few miles from Downtown, is designed to help companies grow through a unique partnership with nearby Arizona State University. The Scottsdale Cure Corridor is a partnership of premier health care providers and biomedical companies seeking to advance medicine and patient care through cutting-edge research. For more information, visit ChooseScottsdale.com.