About Us

AZFirst is a 501(c)(3) youth and education-focused nonprofit organization based in Chandler, Arizona and has served Northern Arizona students for over 20 years. AZFirst's works to expand equitable access to high‑quality robotics and STEAM education—funding, training, and connecting teams, mentors, and schools—to develop Arizona’s next generation of engineers, innovators, and technical leaders.

​

Founded in 2003 by Steve Sanghi, CEO of Microchip Technology, AZFirst was created to build a community where STEM students could thrive. He wanted programs that could inspire young people to become the science and technology leaders of the future by engaging them in exciting, mentor-based robotics competitions and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) experiences. As a CEO of a global corporation, Steve recognized that AZFirst could build a workforce development pipeline for Arizona.

​​

Each year, AZFirst supports more than 7,000 students across the state –from rural and tribal communities in northern Arizona to urban schools in Phoenix and Tucson – many of whom come from underserved backgrounds with limited access to STEAM resources. Our focus is on creating inclusive, accessible pathways into high-skill career opportunities, especially in engineering, manufacturing, and computer science.