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 tips off with Thunder Dan Majerle

Photo contribution by Thomas Hawthorne “Never bend down or show you are tired,” was Thunder Dan Majerle’s mind set when competing for a slot on the US National Team at the 1988 summer Olympics, and a message about perseverance to startups pursuing their dream and preparing to compete at Venture Madness. Presented by Invest Southwest … 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

Venture Madness incentivizes voters with brackets, apples and cash

While the odds of writing the 2014 NCAA perfect bracket were at 9.2 quintillion-to-1 odds and it only took two days for an obliteration of millions of ESPN brackets, the public gets another chance to put their luck to the test with a new game of Bracketology that involves early-stage companies, and one of them has a … Read more

64 startups chosen for Venture Madness

Startups from around the Southwest have been chosen to compete for $50,000. Invest Southwest, in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority, is geared up for Venture Madness and have chosen their 64 startups to compete. Venture Madness is a competition that pits 64 startups in a head-to-head bracket for the chance to win a share a pot … 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

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