Honeywell Invests in Innovation as Arizona Tech Week Platinum Sponsor

Honeywell Invests in Innovation as Arizona Tech Week Platinum Sponsor

Innovation and invention are key to growth and success at Honeywell Aerospace, especially as the company prepares to become an independent, publicly traded business in 2026. 

Honeywell Aerospace is set to create one of the world’s largest pure-play aerospace and defense companies. It takes a lot of creative minds to do that successfully, which is one reason Honeywell Aerospace is a platinum sponsor of the first-ever Arizona Tech Week. 

“Now is the time to rebrand, reinvent and rejuvenate Honeywell Aerospace as a giant in the aerospace industry,” said Todd Giles, Chief Technology Officer, Honeywell Aerospace. “We are at a crossroads with many exciting things ahead, which is why it is important for us to not only be present at the first Arizona Tech Week, but also to be instrumental in putting together the best program for attendees as we look to grow and expand the enormous potential of technology in our home state.”  

Powered by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Tech Week is a week-long series of events designed to highlight Arizona’s growing technological ecosystem and bring together innovators and inventors from across the state and the country. 

The inaugural event, scheduled for April 6-12, will feature panels comprised of industry thought leaders, networking events, workshops, startup showcases and conversations around emerging technologies like advanced manufacturing, AI and sustainability.  

Zara Ghorbani, whose job as an Innovation and Incubation Leader at Honeywell Aerospace is to recommend investments in new and innovative technologies both inside and outside the organization, understands the value of participating in this event. 

“Currently, we are focused on ensuring we have all the technology and talent necessary to keep advancing and expanding at Honeywell Aerospace, which aligns very well with the mission of the Arizona Commerce Authority,” said Ghorbani. “We want to position ourselves as the thought leaders for today, tomorrow and beyond, and solidify that we are top-of-mind for new graduates and people with fresh and creative ideas as we anticipate to have a sizeable increase in our engineering workforce.”

According to Ghorbani, here are five things you don’t want to miss at Arizona Tech Week: 

1. AZ Tech Week Opening Night Party on Monday, April 6 at 6 p.m. This is a perfect opportunity to network with founders, operators, investors and builders shaping the future of tech across the state.
2. Honeywell organized tours, including:
   

• Deer Valley Site Tour on Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m.
• Honeywell Flight Line Tour on Tuesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. 
• Honeywell Glendale (Space) Tour on Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
• Honeywell H360 experience on Friday, April 10 at 11 a.m. 

3. Partnering for Impact: Advancing University-Industry Collaboration on Wednesday, April 8 at 3 p.m. This keynote session and panel discussion highlight how the University of Arizona and industry partners can collaborate more effectively, using the growing relationship with Honeywell Aerospace as a real world example. The keynote speaker is Kurt VandenBussche, Vice President for Technology Strategy and Innovation at Honeywell Aerospace. Ben Driggs, Chief Commercial Strategy Officer and UA Alumni, will be a panelist. 
4. Honeywell ASU TEM Lab Showcase on Thursday, April 9 at 5 p.m. This university-industry-stakeholders cooperation is designed to engage and connect companies, employees, faculty, students and stakeholders in a meaningful way while developing an intrapreneurial mindset.
5. Honeywell ASU Hackathon (by invitation only.) Bob Buddecke, President of Electronic Solutions, and Brian Wenig, Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain, will serve as judges for the three-day competition.  

Arizona Tech Week activities span the whole state from Flagstaff to Tucson and everything in between. Check out the Arizona Tech Week website to find activities that pique your interest. Most events are even free! 

For more information, visit https://www.azcommerce.com/az-tech-week/