December 10, 2024 (Tucson, Ariz.) - Applications for the 2025 IdeaFunding pitch competition are now live. Entrepreneurs will need to submit applications before January 15, 2025. IdeaFunding is Southern Arizona’s largest and longest entrepreneurial conference and pitch competition, where this year over $50,000 in prizes will be awarded to Arizona based companies on March 27, 2025 as part of the 2025 TENWEST Festival. IdeaFunding is co-led by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) and presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Founded in 2025, TENWEST is celebrating 10 years in Tucson. The festival showcases the connectivity between technology, entrepreneurship, creativity, culture and impact, uniting attendees to gain the knowledge and inspiration needed to innovate their careers and communities. Startup Tucson hosts the 2025 TENWEST Impact Festival and co-leads IdeaFunding in partnership with UACI.
This year’s pitch competition will support startups with a wide variety of available prizes valued from $1,000 to $25,000 and that include a mix of cash and services. Main-stage first and second place prize holders will receive a sponsored year in the UACI incubator program, a prize valued at $10,000. There will again be four vertical stages with prizes, as well as speciality prizes like the Adelante Arizona prize for diverse founders supported by Community Investment Corporation.
“IdeaFunding has been a pillar for the entrepreneurial community in Southern Arizona providing years of funding to numerous startups. In celebration of TENWEST’s 10th year, we’ll be hosting the pitch competition at the historic Rialto Theatre and showcasing Arizona entrepreneurs on an even larger stage. We are thrilled to bring the pitch competition and TENWEST Festival together in celebration of the impact prior winners and the event have had on Tucson over the years,” said Liz Pocock, CEO, Startup Tucson.
IdeaFunding participants will receive robust pitch training in partnership with UACI and those selected to move forward in the competition will have successfully navigated and progressed through multiple rounds, receiving the opportunity to perfect their pitch with mentors and staff from UACI. “IdeaFunding truly showcases Arizona’s entrepreneurial community. Not only is it an opportunity for startups in our community to receive prize funds, but it also highlights the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and innovation,” said Casey Carrillo, Executive Director, UACI.
Within TENWEST, the pitch competition will occur alongside a variety of other events designed specifically for the growing Arizona startup community including a full professional development conference day as well as keynote show at University of Arizona’s Centennial Hall with Guy Raz, host of the How I Built This Podcast.
IdeaFunding competition applications are open to early-stage Arizona companies. Companies that have less than $500,000 funds raised or received in the form of a loan/grant and fewer than 10 full-time employees qualify as early stage companies for the competition. Pitch applications are due January 15, 2025. Other opportunities to participate in TENWEST are also now open, including a call for speakers and partners that also closes January 15, 2025.
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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 two decades, the program has directly served 235 companies, impacting thousands of entrepreneurs who have attracted $105.8M in capital. This is done by providing access to people, programming, and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market. With the mission to fuel the Arizona economy, UACI works to help scale science and tech-based startups under the scope of Tech Parks Arizona creating university-based economic impact. Tech Parks Arizona directs the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation. The year 2023, marks the 20-year anniversary of UACI which is supported by the following sponsors: the University of Arizona Office of Research, Innovation & Impact, The Boyer Company, WaFd Bank, Spencer Fane, The Town of Sahuarita, Optics Valley and the University of Arizona Eller College of Management McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship.
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