Organization · Incubator
Moonshot
Moonshot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Arizona that supports entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, by providing resources and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems to create jobs.
Overview
What Moonshot does
What Moonshot is
Moonshot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Arizona that supports entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, by providing resources and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems to create jobs.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 2001
- Approximate age
- About 25 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Moonshot elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Moonshot as a funder
Investment thesis
Moonshot focuses on democratizing entrepreneurship by providing resources and support to entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas of Arizona.
Focus narrative
Moonshot aims to assist entrepreneurs in bringing innovative products and services to market while fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural Arizona to create jobs. The organization provides various services, including entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and connections to funding sources.
Focus and fit
- Sectors
- Cybersecurity · Space Tech · Travel · Food and AgTech
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Not published
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 6
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: 917 Solutions: A company specializing in enterprise IT and cybersecurity. Pin Drop: A travel trailer company. Katalyst Space: A space technology firm. Dash LX: A company focused on outdoor activities. Far Out: A travel guide service. Flaming Oats: A food company offering high-protein oatmeal products.
Capability profile
Moonshot as a program host
Program thesis
Moonshot focuses on democratizing entrepreneurship by providing resources and support to entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas of Arizona.
Focus narrative
Moonshot aims to assist entrepreneurs in bringing innovative products and services to market while fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural Arizona to create jobs. The organization provides various services, including entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and connections to funding sources.
Value and support
Moonshot provides various services, including entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and connections to funding sources.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable portfolio companies include: 917 Solutions: A company specializing in enterprise IT and cybersecurity. Pin Drop: A travel trailer company. Katalyst Space: A space technology firm. Dash LX: A company focused on outdoor activities. Far Out: A travel guide service. Flaming Oats: A food company offering high-protein oatmeal products.
Capability profile
Moonshot as a community
Community overview
Moonshot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Arizona, founded in 2001. Initially established as the Northern Arizona Technology and Business Incubator (NATBI), it was rebranded to the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET) in 2007, and then to Moonshot in 2017. The organization focuses on democratizing entrepreneurship by providing resources and support to entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas of Arizona.
Community focus
Moonshot aims to assist entrepreneurs in bringing innovative products and services to market while fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural Arizona to create jobs. The organization provides various services, including entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and connections to funding sources.
Member value
Members benefit from access to entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and connections to funding sources, which are crucial for launching and scaling their businesses.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
- Annual events
- 3
Events and activity
Moonshot hosts several key events, including the Rural AZ Pitch Competition, an annual event with multiple stops across Arizona to support local entrepreneurs, AZ Tech Week, a week-long celebration of technology and innovation, and the Shoemaker Awards Dinner, which honors Moonshot entrepreneurs.
Notable members
Notable portfolio companies include 917 Solutions, Pin Drop, Katalyst Space, Dash LX, Far Out, and Flaming Oats.
Capability profile
Moonshot as an event host
Event focus
Moonshot aims to assist entrepreneurs in bringing innovative products and services to market while fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural Arizona to create jobs. The organization provides various services, including entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and connections to funding sources.
Format narrative
Moonshot offers a variety of programs and events designed to support entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey, including pitch competitions, educational workshops, and networking opportunities.
Participant value
Attendees gain access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can help them launch and grow their businesses in a supportive environment.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- pitch-night, workshop, and dinner-series
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Past editions
The Rural AZ Pitch Competition and AZ Tech Week have been successful in supporting local entrepreneurs and celebrating innovation in Arizona.
Common questions
What to know about Moonshot
Upseed classifies Moonshot under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.