Top 8 startups advance in Venture Madness

The madness came earlier than expected this March as 16 startups tipped off in the 3-day Venture Madness competition all vying to win cash to build their business- first place winners take home $30,000, 2nd place receives $10,000, and $5,000 each for 3rd and 4th place. Day 1 ended with the announcement of the Top … Read more

Venture Madness announces its sweet 16 – updated

The next round of Venture Madness brackets leaves only 16 startups who will move on to the final, live-demo portion of the competition for a chance to win their share of $50,000. Jonathan Ariano, chairman of Invest Southwest comments on the startups, “[They] are shining examples of the entrepreneurship and innovation happening in the Southwest … Read more

32 startups advance in Venture Madness

This round of brackets have closed leaving 32 of the original 64 startups from around the Southwest to compete head-to-head to win their share of $50,000 in 2015 Venture Madness. From here, it’s down to the final 16 companies who will compete in a live-demo event held between March 4-6, 2015. Jonathan Ariano, chairman of … 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

Pinnacle Transplant wins Venture Madness, $30K

Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, a Phoenix-based biotech company, and client company at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI), was named the Venture Madness champion and took home the grand prize of $30K. The competition began with 64 startups and drilled down to one winner. “It’s been a fun experience,” said Gabriel Hyams, Pinnacle Transplant CEO. “This opens my eyes … Read more

Top 4 startups battle for $50K at Venture Madness

Eight startups pitched their ideas this morning at Venture Madness, only four will will move on to the final rounds this afternoon. The advancing companies are Contatta, Pinnacle Transplant Tech, ReplyBuy and Clear Demand. The final four in the Venture Madness competition will compete for a portion of that $50,000 prize this afternoon at Talking … Read more

Only 8 startups left in Venture Madness

After head-to-head live pitches Thursday morning, the eight companies that moved to the next round of Venture Madness, were announced Thursday afternoon at the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training game. Venture Madness is a competition presented by Invest Southwest and the Arizona Commerce Authority that started with 64 startups pitching their ideas against each other. After … Read more

Final 16 startups to battle it out at Venture Madness

Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, introduces the final 16 competing startups that will pitch live for a chunk of the $50,000 prize. Additionally, Venture Madness announces today that Geoffrey Moore; a best-selling author, Venture Partner, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Chairman Emeritus, TCG Advisors, The Chasm Institute and The Chasm … Read more

32 startups advance to round 2 in Venture Madness

Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest, in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority announced the next round of 32 startups, from the original 64, to advance to round two in the head-to-head competition. Round two is critical as the public vote will directly help their favorite startup advance to the live pitch portion of Venture Madness … Read more

Software cos. dominate the winners circle for ACA Arizona Innovation Challenge

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced the six winning companies in its Fall 2013 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). These grant recipients represent innovative Arizona entrepreneurs who are creating technological solutions with the potential for global impact: in the Fall 2013 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), a bi-annual business plan competition that awards the most money … Read more