Arizona Commerce Authority now accepting applications for Arizona Innovation Challenge

Arizona Innovation Challenge

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced today that they are accepting applications for the 10th annual Arizona Innovation Challenge, the largest business plan competition in the country, starting Monday, July 26.  The Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC) advances innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in the state by helping early-stage ventures to scale. The ACA has picked … Read more

Top 10 finalists announced for Fall 2015 Arizona Innovation Challenge

Ten finalists were announced today for the bi-annual Arizona Innovation Challenge held by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). This time around 131 companies applied from Arizona, California, Ohio, Utah and Virginia. It was whittled down to 25 semifinalists in October and now to the top 10. This is the biggest challenge in Arizona and the … Read more

Top 25 semifinalists for Fall 2015 ACA Innovation Challenge announced

Over 131 applicants were considered before the judges narrowed it down to the top 25 semifinalists in the Fall 2015 Arizona Innovation Challenge. Led by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the Challenge is a bi-annual business plan competition for promising early-stage companies in high-growth industries where early-stage startups vie for a slice of the $1.5 … Read more

ACA announces Spring 2015 Innovation Challenge Winners

These passionate and innovative companies dedicated to their niche took home the win. Today the Arizona Commerce Authority announced the winners of the Spring 2015 Arizona Innovation Challenge where companies from around the country compete for a piece of the pot and build their business in Arizona. The envelope please… Learn more about the companies … Read more

Top 10 finalists revealed for Spring 2015 Arizona Innovation Challenge

It’s coming down to the wire for the Spring 2015 Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) Arizona Innovation Challenge. Who will win the $250,000 to build their business? Today, 10 finalists were announced, and software and science took the majority of spots as finalists.   Beacon Biomedical –  is a medical diagnostic device that provides easy, accurate and affordable blood … Read more

$50K on the line, Venture Madness now open for applications

As the University of Arizona and Arizona State University prepare for this weekend’s territorial match, startups across the southwest are gearing up for their own battle with $50,000 on the line. [youtube]http://youtu.be/XjdVM26O_PQ[/youtube] Presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, Venture Madness is a competition that pits 64 startups in a head-to-head bracket … Read more

Startups, STEM and Hackschooling kick off Innovation AZ Summit 2014

Startups, STEM and SCITECH, oh my! It’s time again for entrepreneurs and educators from across the state to come together for the annual Arizona Innovation Summit on August 14, with the theme “From Inspiration to Commercialization”- this time at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. If you are a startup and haven’t been to this event, … Read more

Winners of Spring 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge take home $250K

Twice a year the Arizona Commerce Authority awards up to $1.5 million in grant funding capital to a group of startups to help them grow their business and fuel innovation. Today the ACA announced the winners of the Spring 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge, and each one will take home $250,000. Sandra Watson, President and CEO, … Read more

Contatta completes $1.5M convertible round to take product to market

Contatta, the world’s first collaborative email, has completed a $1.5 million convertible round led by Kickstart Seed Fund II and Grayhawk Capital. In addition, all of Contatta’s current board members, including CEO and co-founder Pat Sullivan, and outside investors Desert Angels and Arizona Technology Investors Forum (ATIF) participated in this latest round of investment. “Desert … Read more

Top 25 semifinalists announced for ACA Spring 14' AZ Innovation Challenge

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced today their 25 semifinalists in its Spring 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), a competition where recipients could win up to $250,000 in grant funding capital to grow their business. Twice a year, the ACA awards $1.5 million to innovative, early-stage AZ startups from industries such as IT, bio and … Read more