Hayley Ringle[1] Reporter- Phoenix Business Journal Email[2] | Twitter[3] | LinkedIn[4] | Google+[5] Arizona State University’s[6] Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group will expand in the fall as the college has named a new dean and plans a new focus to extend its entrepreneurial education to all students, faculty and the community. Mitzi Montoya[7], the former vice provost of ASU's Polytechnic campus and dean of the College of Technology and Innovation, is the new vice president and university dean of the school’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group. “This is (ASU President Michael) Crow’s vision for the next phase of entrepreneurship and innovation,” Montoya told me today. “We want to extend entrepreneurship education to all students, provide entrepreneurial experiences for all students, support faculty startups and entrepreneurs, and grow the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.” In the Fall, Montoya will be helping to launch signature innovation challenges at the 15 ASU colleges. The goal is to give all ASU students opportunities to be entrepreneurial and to develop those skills no matter what their major is, Montoya said. “This is an opportunity for students to have new ideas to solve big problems,” said Montoya, who has been at ASU for four years after spending 15 years at North Carolina State University[8]. “Students can carry those ideas forward through entrepreneurship classes and other mechanisms to make their ideas happen. Innovation is certainly the foundation of economic growth and development. A major characteristic is our ability to invent and re-invent ourselves, which is a skill that can be taught.” Montoya is known for helping to bring the state's first TechShop Inc.[9], a membership-based, do-it-yourself fabrication studio filled with more than $1 million worth of tools, technology and equipment, to Chandler last November. Hayley Ringle covers technology and startups for the Phoenix Business Journal. References^ Hayley Ringle (feeds.bizjournals.com)^ Email (feeds.bizjournals.com)^…

David Paul Morris Uber Technologies, led by CEO Travis Kalanick, is reportedly on the hunt for a $500 million investment that would value the ride-sharing startup at $12 billion. John Sailors[1] Morning Edition Editor- San Francisco Business Times Email[2] Uber Technologies[3], the driver for hire company, is reported to be seeking $500 million in an investment that would value the firm at more than $12 billion — just one week after the startup said it would chase a $10 billion valuation. The company is talking with possible investors including hedge funds, mutual fund BlackRock[4] Inc., and private-equity firms General Atlantic[5] and Technology Crossover Ventures[6], the Wall Street Journal reported[7]. It's looking to complete the deal within the next few weeks. Last week, Uber was reportedly seeking a funding round that would value it above $10 billion[8], where the startup would join a handful of other venture-backed Bay Area companies valued in that range. Uber's service connects people needing a ride with drivers in 115 cities around the world and employs 900 people. Uber raised $258 million last August from Benchmark, TPG Capital[9] and Google Ventures[10], valuing it at about $3.5 billion. It has collected a total of $307.5 million since it was founded in 2009 with other backers including Menlo Ventures[11], First Round Capital[12] and Goldman Sachs[13]. (Edited by: Baumann, ) References^ John Sailors (feeds.bizjournals.com)^ Email (feeds.bizjournals.com)^ Uber Technologies (www.bizjournals.com)^ BlackRock (www.bizjournals.com)^ General Atlantic (www.bizjournals.com)^ Technology Crossover Ventures (www.bizjournals.com)^ the Wall Street Journal reported (online.wsj.com)^ that would value it above $10 billion (www.bizjournals.com)^ TPG Capital (www.bizjournals.com)^ Google Ventures (www.bizjournals.com)^ Menlo Ventures (www.bizjournals.com)^ First Round Capital (www.bizjournals.com)^ Goldman Sachs (www.bizjournals.com)...

Donna Abbott-Vlahos Ken Adams is CEO of Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency. Keshia Clukey[1] Reporter- Albany Business Review Email[2] | Twitter[3] Kenneth Adams[4], president and chief executive officer of Empire State Development, is seeking help from local government and business leaders to grow the New York state economy. "We should let local stakeholders tell us what matters," said Adams, who also serves as commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development. "Before we focus on trying to chase new investment, we have to make sure we're taking care of the 500,000 companies in the state." The Chambers of Commerce of Schenectady, Fulton and Montgomery counties and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara[5] (D-Rotterdam) hosted a breakfast meeting Thursday at River Stone Manor in Glenville, featuring Adams as the main speaker. Adams asked that the chamber members and local leaders inform more companies about the number of state economic development programs and grants there are available. Programs discussed included: Start-Up NY. A program which allows businesses to start up or significantly expand on college campuses and operate tax free for up to 10 years. Innovate NY Fund. Provides funding to invest in New York-based, seed-stage companies that have substantial potential for growth and job development in an emerging technology field. Business Mentor NY. A new program that brings entrepreneurs and small businesses from across the state together with mentors to help them overcome challenges and spur growth.Though the state is rebounding from the 2008 financial crisis, and regulations are getting better, taxes still make the state difficult for businesses. "Economic development really requires not just those programs, but the constant advocacy for reform," Adams said. "Is there more to do? Absolutely. Are things looking good? Yes." Clukey covers money and technology. References^ Keshia Clukey (feeds.bizjournals.com)^ Email (feeds.bizjournals.com)^ Twitter (twitter.com)^…