Invest Southwest’s Venture Madness Startup Competition Call for Entries Opens Nov. 1, 2016
$20,000 cash plus a chance for the $300,000 investment fund is up for grabs during the annual bracket-style competition, application window open November 1, 2016 – January 5, 2017
PHOENIX (October 17, 2016) – Invest Southwest announced today that applications will open for the 2017 Venture Madness competition on Nov. 1, 2016 and run through Jan. 5, 2017. The anticipated annual event, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, will select 64 early-stage companies to compete in the bracket-style competition for a chance at a $20,000 shared prize plus a $300,000 investment fund to go to one or more of the top 16 finalists.
Invest Southwest is also holding a free Get Ready Seminar on Oct. 25, 2016 at ASU SkySong. The seminar is designed to educate applicants on what investors are looking for in the competition’s application and pitch, as well as how to capture investor interest.
“Since 1992, Invest Southwest has been successful at helping early-stage companies raise more money and accelerate growth,” said Gabriel Hyams, CEO of Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Invest Southwest’s 2017 chairman and previous Venture Madness winner. “This year we are excited for a few new changes to the Venture Madness Conference and program. Not only will the event be at a new location, we’ve also condensed programming to allow for more time for engagement between the investors and startups.”
Taking place March 8-10 at Scottsdale’s historic Hotel Valley Ho, the competition is open to any rapid-growth company demonstrating unique value and early market traction located in the Southwest region of the United States. Each year Venture Madness attracts more than 300 attendees to Arizona, many of which are top tier investors from across the Southwest region.
The call for entries will begin Nov. 1, 2016 and closes at 3 p.m. MST on Jan. 5, 2017. The competition will begin on Jan. 17 with an expert selection panel comprised of seasoned executives, local business leaders and investors to announce the top 64 winners. From there, the committee continues the bracketology format until the top 16 competitors advance to an in-person, two-day, live pitch event. Winners will be announced on March 10 after a live pitch session between the final two companies.
“Being a part of Venture Madness last year benefited our company in ways I hadn’t anticipated when we applied,” said Evan Unger, CEO of NuvOx and 2016 winner. “Winning the prize money was exciting and validating. But what was invaluable was the relationships we made along the way with business leaders and investors.”
To apply for Venture Madness starting Nov. 1, please visit /. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, download the 2017 Sponsorship Packet here.
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About Invest Southwest
Invest Southwest is the premier organization for connecting investors with the best and brightest ventures in the region. In addition to providing valuable information on topics important to the investment community, Invest Southwest offers year-round opportunities for investors to connect with emerging growth companies. Its signature event, Venture Madness, is a unique competition presented in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority. Venture Madness pits 64 thoroughly evaluated emerging companies against one another in a bracket-style, head-to-head competition to crown the champion of champions. Visit venturemadness.com for more information.
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