Crowd Mics wins Startup Connect AZ with a simple Q&A

Photography contribution by Travis Arbon  At the Arizona Technology Council Startup Connect AZ event, five startups from around the state pitched against each other for cash, bragging rights and some good face time with investors, CEOs, educators and influencers. In the end, the audience chose Crowd Mics, an app that turns your smartphone into a … Read more

Allbound secures $200K bringing jobs to AZ

Founder and CEO Scott Salkin of Allbound, a cloud-based marketing and sales automation tool for companies with indirect sales channels and reseller network, is no stranger to startups and the AZ tech community. While he built IDS Marketing, he’s also delved into the AZ Tech Council and launched Startup Connect AZ, an all day educational session … Read more

Mouthguards, Mining and Medical win at TiE AZ Fast Pitch Event

Two minutes, 15 companies, three winners. Last night 15 Arizona startups competed and pitched to a room full of investors and entrepreneurs at the TiE AZ Fast Pitch Event to win a slot in the upcoming Venture Madness competition, where startups have the opportunity to win a piece of the $50,000 prize, and TiE AZ Venture Capital pitch event, … Read more

Tallwave Capital raises $13.51M to commercialize new ventures

Tallwave Capital, a commercializer, announced today the closing of a $13.5M Tallwave Commercialization Fund I. This seed fund is focused exclusively on investing in startups in SaaS, mobile, digital media, ad tech and eCommerce. Investments can range from $125K to $400K in early-stage differentiated consumer and enterprise focused businesses in most industry vertical markets. “This is … Read more

From jetpacks and LEGO sorting to better barbecues, ASU eProjects excite – slideshow

Arizona State University students are building everything from jetpacks to LEGO sorting machines as part of the eProjects program. The eProjects initiative, formerly known as iProjects, challenges students to take innovative ideas and work with university faculty and outside sponsors to address real-world issues. Check out some of the stand-out ideas from years past in … Read more

Local Motors presented at first-ever White House Maker Faire

Local Motors, Inc., a Chandler, AZ company and the world’s leading open-source hardware innovation company, was part of the first-ever White House Maker Faire, June 18, 2014. In February 2014 the White House announced its intent to celebrate America’s students and entrepreneurs who are inventing the future. The event took place at the White House … Read more

Gilbert's EZ Spaces opens – a collaborative co-working space for small businesses

If small business owners are tired of working from home or coffee shops or are tired of paying for office space they do not need, EZ Spaces might be the answer. EZ Spaces, which is located in Gilbert, gives people a professional place to work as well as access to office amenities like Wi-Fi, printers … Read more

Desert Angels invested over $5.5M and majority in AZ cos.

Desert Angels (DA) announced their final investment numbers for 2013 equaling over $5.5 million placed into 23 different companies-the majority of them in Arizona. Chairman of Desert Angels and board member on the Angel Capital Association Curtis Gunn said this milestone “…is a record for us, both record of number of companies and dollars invested.” … Read more

Gadgets for the Guru Gift Guide

AZ Tech Beat has spent all year long looking high and low for the most unique, functional, fun and interesting gadgets for our readers. Remember that one gadget you saw months back made you stop and think, “That would be a perfect gift for Sally!” We figured searching back through our archives might be a … Read more

Early Stage software companies named recipients of the ACA AZ Fast Grant

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) selected 20 recipients for its AZ Fast Grant program, a highly competitive grant providing qualified Arizona-based, early stage technology companies with intensive training and technical assistance to commercialize their innovations, grow their business, and most importantly, create jobs for Arizona. According to the ACA, companies may use AZ Fast Grants … Read more