Avondale Isn’t Waiting — It’s Rising

Event Summary: Avondale Innovates Tech Community Mixer

At the recent Avondale Innovates Tech Community Mixer, hosted inside the pioneering vertical farming lab OnePointOne, leaders, founders, and educators gathered to celebrate a city on the rise. More than a networking event, the evening served as a living demonstration of how civic vision, entrepreneurship, and community values are converging to shape the West Valley’s future.

Civic Leadership in Action

Avondale Mayor Mike Pineda opened with a call to recognize Avondale’s unique positioning, both geographically between major tech corridors and spiritually, as a city ready for growth. He highlighted the City’s momentum in attracting technology-based companies in biotech, semiconductors, and AI, noting that infrastructure, education, and leadership are aligning to make Avondale a true hub of innovation.

“We’re really at the precipice of bringing more and more technology-based companies — biotech, semiconductors, AI — to this part of town.”
— Mayor Mike Pineda

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Jennifer Stein, Director of Economic Development, reinforced this vision, emphasizing Avondale’s collaborative culture. Her remarks underscored that growth is not happening in isolation but as part of a connected ecosystem of companies, schools, and community members working together.

“We’re working diligently to build a tech hub here. And it’s not just companies — it’s education, founders, workforce, and community. All of it, together.”
— Jennifer Stein

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Why Avondale, Why Now?

The event included a panel discussion where participants brought both professional insight and personal conviction to the discussion:

• Becky Baranowski, Dean of Estrella Mountain Community College, stressed that economic development begins in classrooms and thrives through collaboration, reflecting the “West Valley difference.”

“Yes, there’s competition. But there’s also collaboration. That’s the West Valley difference.”
— Becky Baranowski

• Sam Bertram, CEO of OnePointOne, credited Avondale with creating an environment that enables startups to scale rapidly. He pointed to the City’s support and efficiency in permitting as a critical factor in his company’s growth.

“We got this permitted so fast, it’s ridiculous. Government should help facilitate business. And Avondale did exactly that.”
— Sam Bertram

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• Dr. Suleiman Alsafouri, Founder of Auto BIM Route, described Avondale as both home and opportunity, affirming his decision to build construction tech innovation locally.

“I’m an AI guy. I like doing crazy stuff. But I chose to stay here. Because it’s my home.”
— Dr. Suleiman Alsafouri

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• Gabriela Gabaldon, Founder of EcoRobotik, shared her passion for youth engagement, robotics, and sustainability. Her message was clear: Avondale’s next generation of innovators is already here, actively shaping the city’s future.

“We’re not just building tech — we’re building tech cities. Sustainable cities. Cities built by our own youth.”

— Gabriela Gabaldon

A Community Growing Together

The mixer not only highlighted cutting-edge technology but also showcased the human spirit behind it. Whether in vertical farming, AI, robotics, or education, the common thread was purpose-driven innovation rooted in community.

For Freeway, this event reflects our believe that entrepreneurship should be more human, accessible, and connected. Avondale proved that not every tech revolution begins in Silicon Valley — some begin in the West Valley.

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