Success achieved: Director of Canyon Ventures lauded for significantly influencing students
Robert Vera, the driving force behind Grand Canyon University's (GCU) Canyon Ventures, has been making waves in Arizona's startup ecosystem. His influence, leadership, and mentorship have been instrumental in nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial community.
Vera's journey began when he was inspired by a poem by Mary Oliver, which prompted him to leave his job in finance and embark on an entrepreneurial journey with a mission to make a significant impact in people's lives.
In 2019, Vera took the helm of Canyon Ventures, a startup business accelerator at GCU. Since then, he has been mentoring students who have gone on to build successful startups, such as Noggin Boss and NineteenTwenty, which received national recognition on "Shark Tank."
Vera's dedication to his students and the entrepreneurial community was evident at the recent awards ceremony, where he surprised each company with an oversized Noggin Boss hat with their logo across the front. The ceremony also saw the attendance of several winners of GCU's Canyon Challenge and Demo Day, who showed their support for Vera.
Vera's efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, he was honoured with the AZ Inno Blazer Award, recognizing his contributions to empowering students and founders within Arizona's thriving startup community. He has also been involved with the Inno Fire Awards, which celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation in Arizona.
Vera's impact extends beyond individual startups. His mentorship has helped foster a supportive environment for student entrepreneurs, contributing positively to Arizona's startup ecosystem as a whole. His work aligns with Arizona's growing reputation as a hub for startups, providing opportunities and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Vera's speech at the awards ceremony was passionate and eight minutes long, during which he defended college students against the label of being entitled and unmotivated, highlighting their dedication and hard work. He also expressed pride in the next generation of college students, stating that they have the future in their hands.
For media enquiries, Mark Gonzales, a senior writer at GCU's website, can be reached at [email protected].
Nearly a dozen Peoria business owners were in attendance at the event, demonstrating the wide-reaching impact of Vera's work. Two Canyon Ventures companies, Hoolist (biotech/healthcare) and the Vox Company (software), were finalists in their respective categories.
In conclusion, Robert Vera's impact on Arizona startups and entrepreneurs is marked by his leadership at Canyon Ventures, his mentorship of successful startups, and his recognition within the community for empowering and celebrating entrepreneurship. His dedication to inspiring and guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs is a testament to his passion for making a difference in people's lives.
- Robert Vera, the mentor at Grand Canyon University's (GCU) Canyon Ventures, has been instrumental in nurturing startups like Noggin Boss and NineteenTwenty, which received national recognition on "Shark Tank."
- In 2025, Vera was honored with the AZ Inno Blazer Award for his significant contributions to Arizona's thriving startup community, particularly in empowering students and founders.
- Vera's mission is aligned with Arizona's growing reputation as a hub for startups, providing opportunities and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs in colleges such as GCU.
- His work at Canyon Ventures has helped foster a supportive environment for student entrepreneurs, contributing positively to Arizona's startup ecosystem as a whole.
- During the awards ceremony, Vera passionately defended college students against the label of being entitled and unmotivated, highlighting their dedication and hard work, and expressing pride in the next generation of entrepreneurs.
