Tucson, AZ--- Applications are now live for the 2022 IdeaFunding competition hosted by Startup Tucson. IdeaFunding, Southern Arizona’s largest and longest entrepreneurial conference and pitch competition, will take place on November 3, 2022 during the 2022 TENWEST Impact Festival. IdeaFunding applications close on August 24th, 2022. Over $50,000 in prize funding will be awarded to Arizona company finalists participating in the competition. 

The 2022 TENWEST Impact Festival is co-led by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI). The Arizona Commerce Authority is the title sponsor for the festival and a key partner for IdeaFunding. 2022 marks the 25th year anniversary of Idea Funding with a main-stage prize of $25,000 sponsored by UAVenture Capital Fund. UAVC has been a long-standing partner of IdeaFunding. Additionally, there will be a total of at least four vertical stages with prizes from $2,500 to $5,000 per stage as well as the return of the Social Impact prize sponsored by United Way and the Adelante Arizona prize for diverse founders supported by Community Investment Corporation. 

IdeaFunding competition applications are open to “early stage” Arizona companies. For the purpose of this competition, “early stage” companies have less than $500,000 funds raised or received in the form of a loan or grant and less than 10 full-time employees. IdeaFunding has provided countless opportunities for early-stage startups in Arizona. “For 25 years, IdeaFunding has been a pillar for the entrepreneurial community in Southern Arizona. We are thrilled to bring the pitch competition and event back in person to celebrate this milestone and the impact prior winners and the event have had on Tucson over the years,” said Liz Pocock, Startup Tucson, CEO. 

IdeaFunding participants will also have the opportunity to complete robust pitch training in partnership with the UACI. Participants selected to move forward in the competition within the downselects will have the opportunity to perfect their pitch with mentors and staff from UACI. “We are excited to work with IdeaFunding participants and provide support through pitch training and mentorship. IdeaFunding is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs in our community to not only win funds, but also connect to one another,” said Eric Smith, Executive Director, UACI. 

To learn more and apply for an opportunity to pitch their business from now until August 24th, companies can apply at https://www.startuptucson.com/applyideafunding2022. 

 

About Startup Tucson  

Startup Tucson is 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to transform our region’s economy through entrepreneurship and education. Startup Tucson executes this mission by providing education and culture building programs and events to grow a high-impact entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem. You can find information about the organization and upcoming opportunities to engage at www.startuptucson.com. For questions or comments, please reach out to Liz Pocock directly at liz@startuptucson.com

 

About the UA Center for Innovation

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is a startup incubator network with outposts across the Southern Arizona region. For nearly two decades, the program has directly served over 200 companies and impacted thousands of entrepreneurs. This is done by providing access to people, programming, and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market. UACI is part of Tech Parks Arizona, which brings together university, industry, and community, creating “interactive ground” to advance technology innovation.  

 

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