Arizona’s push to turn homegrown research into commercial products just got a financial shot in the arm, with two local startups receiving nearly $190,000 in combined funding to fast-track technologies that could save motorcyclists’ lives and help utilities cope with the explosive power demands of AI data centers.
Partnership for Economic Innovation’s Applied Research Centers Awards Funding to Hi Vis Technology and Power-Fabric
Hi Vis Technology and Power-Fabric are tackling real problems that affect real people, and this funding accelerates their ability to bring those solutions to market faster than they could on their own”— Kathleen Lee, Partnership for Economic InnovationPHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES, October 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), a coalition of business and community leaders focused on expanding Arizona’s economic footprint, has directed funding to two new applied research ventures through its Applied Research Centers initiative. The awardees are Hi Vis Technology, Inc., which is developing a haptic motorcycle helmet aimed at reducing rider deaths, and Power-Fabric, Inc., which is building an enterprise-grade platform for electric utilities to manage the surging grid loads created by AI data centers.
Both projects are tackling industry-specific challenges using technology designed and built within Arizona. Because each company must match the grant with private investment, the total value of the two projects reaches nearly $379,000, pushing both solutions closer to commercial availability. This infusion of capital also compresses the research and development cycle that early-stage companies typically face when transitioning from prototype to product, offering Arizona founders a quicker route to revenue, investors and job creation. Each firm is collaborating with Arizona State University researchers to conduct lab testing prior to launching field pilots.
"These projects represent exactly the kind of bold, solutions-driven thinking that Arizona's applied research program was built to support," said Kathleen Lee, Director of Applied Research, Partnership for Economic Innovation. "Hi Vis Technology and Power-Fabric are tackling real problems that affect real people, and this funding accelerates their ability to bring those solutions to market faster than they could on their own."
Hi Vis Technology holds a U.S. patent for its Advanced Rider Assistance System (ARAS), a system that delivers tactile alerts for blind spots, forward collisions and lane departures directly inside the helmet, allowing motorcyclists to keep their eyes on the road.
"Motorcyclists account for roughly 3% of registered vehicles but nearly 16% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, and that gap exists largely because the safety technology available to car drivers has never been adapted for riders," said Lynne Nethken, Chief Operating Officer, Hi Vis Technology, Inc. "This funding gives us the resources to change that, bringing Advanced Rider Assistance Systems to the people who need them most and putting Arizona at the center of that innovation."
Power-Fabric is working on a large-load management system (LLMS) designed to give electric utilities the flexibility and real-time awareness needed to plan and operate the grid as compute demand outpaces infrastructure expansion. The platform aims to speed up power delivery for data centers while shielding ratepayers from expensive infrastructure upgrades tied to peak loads. Power-Fabric has already demonstrated the system at ASU in collaboration with an Arizona-based utility, and the grant will help move it from proof-of-concept to market readiness.
"The world around AI data centers is evolving quickly, and Power-Fabric is developing tools and workflows for utilities to effectively serve their AI customers while ensuring the grid is reliable and affordable to all rate payers," said Jeff Guldner, retired President of APS and CEO of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation.
"The support from PEI's Applied Research Centers gives Power-Fabric the foundation to prove our solution is ready for the grid, " said Abhishek Jaiswal, PhD, Founder and CEO, Power-Fabric, Inc.
The impact of applied research funding extends well beyond the individual companies, creating ripple effects across Arizona’s economy through new engineering positions, student research roles at Arizona State University and increased venture capital interest in local startups. Sustained state investment in the Applied Research Centers program allows PEI to continue expanding the pipeline of commercially viable technology developed in Arizona, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a hub for innovation in motor safety, utility software and AI infrastructure.
To learn more about PEI’s Applied Research Centers, visit azweartech.org.
Rachael Clifford
10 to 1 Public Relations
rachael@10to1pr.com
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Why it matters: These grants represent a strategic bet on Arizona’s ability to commercialize its own research, addressing critical gaps in both road safety and energy infrastructure. As AI-driven power demand strains the grid and motorcycle fatalities remain disproportionately high, the success of these two startups could serve as a model for how state-funded applied research can deliver tangible public benefits.
