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Avatar of Justin Williams

by Justin Williams

PitchDay at AZCI Hosts 23 Startups from Across Arizona

May 10, 2013 in AZCI, PitchDay, Startups by Justin Williams

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On Thursday PitchDay at AZCI attracted the largest number of companies and attendees in its history.  At the 4th annual event hosted by the Arizona Center of Innovation (AZCI), 23 companies gave 5 minute pitches to over 100 attendees.  Companies came from incubator organizations from across Arizona including ASU SkySong, Aztera, CEI Gateway, Gangplank Tucson, NACET, UA’s McGuire Entrepreneurship Program, and Tallwave.

AZCI’s Director Joann MacMaster said that PitchDay “gives companies the opportunity to present to potential investors, mentors and partners.  It’s great for the companies and entrepreneurs.”

Unlike other venture pitch events, PitchDay is not a competition but instead follows a showcase that allows teams to get feedback from members of the audience.  “We see great benefits for AzCI companies to participate in PitchDay, this is an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their new ventures and meet with potential partners and investors.” said Corey Smith, AzCI Entrepreneur in Residence.



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by Startup Tucson

Cheap Avocado Wins the Shark Tank Competition at Startup Weekend!

September 11, 2012 in AZCI, Desert Angels, Featured, Gangplank Tucson, Startup Weekend 2012 by Startup Tucson

Congratulations to the Cheap Avocado team for winning the Shark Tank competition at this year’s Startup Weekend Tucson event!  The 3 winning teams will receive free admission to the Arizona Center for Innovation, IdeaFunding and the Desert Angels screening panel.  All presenting teams will also receive admission to Gangplank Tucson’s Lean LanuchPad program.

1st Place – Cheap Avocado

Cheap Avacado as the grocery equivilant of a “Cheap Gas Finder”.  The web site and mobile app combine to allow a shopper to find the cheapest grocery store for their basket of groceries.  A shopper can just select the most common items that they purchase each week at the store and within seconds, Cheap Avacado will tell you which of your neighborhood stores will give you the best deal.  While we are editing the final presentation videos, you can watch the first few minutes of Cheap Avocados’ presentation thanks to Scott from Associated Blogs.  And here’s their Q&A with the judges.  You can also watch two demo videos they made for their final presentation here and here.



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by Startup Tucson

Startup Weekend Tucson – What to Expect This Week

September 3, 2012 in AZCI, Gangplank Tucson, Startup Weekend 2012 by Startup Tucson

This is the week!  Startup Weekend Tucson is only 5 days away.  Do you have your schedule set?  Do you have your tickets?  We know it’s going to be a busy week of events, education, networking, ideas, team building, and finally pitching!

With so much going on, we’ve put together this helpful program of activities, dates, times and links to register.  First, we’ve got a table of events, who can attend, location, date, time and where to register.  Then below that, you’ll find a detailed agenda for the entire week.



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Avatar of Curtis Gunn

by Curtis Gunn

Arizona Innovation Challenge – Applications Now Being Accepted

August 19, 2012 in Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Innovation Challenge, AZ Tech Council, AZCI, Bioindustry, Desert Angels, Economic Development, Funded Companies, Gangplank Tucson, Invest Southwest, Optics, Solar Industry, Startup Weekend 2012, Startups, Technology, Venture Capital by Curtis Gunn

Every AZ-based startup should apply for this grant.  Up to $250,000 in funding to grow your company that you never have to pay back.  Applications now being accepted.

 

The Arizona Innovation Challenge, powered by the Arizona Commerce Authority, awards the most money in the country for a technology commercialization challenge – $3 million ($1.5 million twice yearly) to the world’s most promising technology ventures. Awards range from $100,000 to $250,000 per company.

via Arizona Innovation Challenge.

Permanent link to this post (78 words, estimated 19 secs reading time)

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Avatar of Bob Hagen

by Bob Hagen

Mark Banister Formed Local Startup Firm Medipacs with Help from AzCI

July 24, 2012 in Articles, AZCI, Bioindustry, Local Companies, Startups, Technology, Technology Business Development, Tucson, Tucson Tech by Bob Hagen

Mark Banister of Medipacs

100 days of science: His patio tinkering led to medical device

July 24, 2012

9 HOURS AGO  •  TOM BEAL TOM BEAL ARIZONA DAILY STAR ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The Arizona Daily Star’s Centennial salute to science in Arizona runs all summer. Each day, for 100 days, we’ll record a milestone in the state’s scientific history.

Mark Banister didn’t have a garage to tinker in, so he started to invent his “mini-infuser” medication pump on his back patio in Tucson.

Banister, with a high-school degree and a keen interest in science, eventually developed and patented the polymer that makes his pump work.



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Avatar of Bob Hagen

by Bob Hagen

AzCI Affords Seven Startups the Opportunity to Present Their Ideas to Potential Funders

June 28, 2012 in Articles, AZCI, Economic Development, News, Tucson, Tucson Tech, Venture Capital by Bob Hagen

Arizona Center for Innovation teaches startups the art of the pitch

By Patrick McNamara | Posted: Friday, June 22, 2012 12:15 am

Inside Tucson Business

It was a big day for the startup hopefuls in the room.

Pitch Day at the Arizona Center for Innovation, June 15 gave seven fledgling startup companies the chance to present their ideas to a roomful of potential funders.

After months, and in some cases years, of research and more time in mentoring, representatives had three minutes to sell their ideas and possibly come out of it with moneyed partners.



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by Startup Tucson

Job Opening: Arizona Center for Innovation Hiring Entrepreneur-in-Residence

June 18, 2012 in AZCI, Jobs, UA TechPark by Startup Tucson

JOB TITLE: Entrepreneur in Residence

DATE:  June 1, 2012

REPORTS TO: Director of the Arizona Center of Innovation

JOB SUMMARY

The Entrepreneur in Residence provides on-site expertise and mentoring designed to help entrepreneurs transform their innovative ideas into successful new ventures.  This includes venture and opportunity assessment; team development; support in business plan and funding execution; and progress tracking.

This is a part-time position reporting to Director of the Arizona Center for Innovation.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Hold regular office hours (25 hours/week) on-site to meet with clients
  • Track client progress, deliverables, and accomplishments
  • Work with Client Services Manager to identify company training/workshop needs
  • Work with AzCI team to coordinate and facilitate external mentor support for clients
  • Work with AzCI team on events and follow-up activities as needed


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by Startup Tucson

PitchDay a Success for Arizona Center for Innovation Ventures

June 18, 2012 in AZCI, Events, UA TechPark by Startup Tucson

On Friday June 15th the Arizona Center for Innovation hosted Pitch Day, the final showcase of the new business ventures particpanting in the Mentored Launch program. During the event seven teams made a 3-minute pitch to the audience for funding, advisors, partners, or any other urgent need the team may have.

The following startup companies presented:

  • AAIR – Arizona Algae Integrated Raceway patented technology and system for increased algae production.
  • ArtsyTown is an arts and entertainment marketing company that develops smart phone technologies which actively connect local artists and musicians with fans.
  • Breakaway Media’s modular software system eMegaBook transforms eBooks into mega-performers with dynamic product placement in eBooks on multiple devices for the 70 million ebook readers in the U.S.
  • EquiSight is focused on revolutionizing the industry of horse racing by utilizing helmet camera technology and an online interactive experience that will allow users to “Ride the Race”.


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Avatar of Curtis Gunn

by Curtis Gunn

Biosciences Growing Quickly in Southern AZ

May 14, 2012 in AZCI, Bioindustry, C-Path, Desert Angels, Economic Development, Funded Companies, Local Companies, Technology, Tucson, Tucson Tech, U of A by Curtis Gunn

Southern Arizona is quickly becoming known for its advancements in the field of biosciences.

From headquartering a leading personal health medicine factory to creating the first globally approved full synthetic heart, it is making big strides towards being an integral part of the industry.

via Arizona Public Media | Science + Nature | Biosciences Growing Quickly in AZ.

Permanent link to this post (59 words, estimated 14 secs reading time)

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Avatar of Curtis Gunn

by Curtis Gunn

‘Pivoting’ Pays Off for Tech Entrepreneurs – WSJ.com

May 1, 2012 in Arizona Innovation Challenge, AZCI, Desert Angels, McGuire Center, Startups, Technology, Venture Capital by Curtis Gunn

Investors say the founders who made left turns are generally more experienced—and less fearful of failure—than past generations of tech entrepreneurs. The founders who change products and markets between one and three times raise more money than those who don’t, according to Startup Genome Compass of San Francisco, which tracks more than 13,000 Internet start-ups. In fact, they raised roughly 2½ times more capital than founders who changed products and markets either four or more times or not at all, its research says.

via ‘Pivoting’ Pays Off for Tech Entrepreneurs – WSJ.com.

Permanent link to this post (93 words, estimated 22 secs reading time)

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