External Pitch and Business Plan Competitions

The Arizona Innovation Challenge, hosted by Arizona Commerce Authority is one of the largest business plan competitions in the country, is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by assisting early-stage ventures to scale. The competition is typically held in the fall.

The Venture Madness Conference, presented by Invest Southwest, in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority, connects investors with early stage and growth companies in the U.S. It's a chance chance to showcase your early stage company in front of active, accredited venture capital and angel investors.

Dates: March 2-3, 2022

Startup Tucson runs a multi-day professional conference and festival focused on the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship technology, culture, and social impact.  In 2022, we will also be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of TENWEST's most popular event, IdeaFunding Pitch Competition. 

Dates: November 1 - 5, 2022

SVP Fast Pitch highlights and propels social innovation. The program includes an enhanced “pitch” training, and additional support in fundraising and marketing, allowing them to take their pitch beyond the night of Fast Pitch. A “Fast Pitch” is a high-energy, quick-fire presentation where nonprofit leaders share the mission, vision, promise, and model of their organization – all in under three minutes! Presenters must be succinct, compelling, polished, and passionate. Cash grants and prizes will be awarded at the event by the audience and key sponsors.

The University of Arizona’s McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship hosts the New Venture Competition, where student teams in McGuire’s New Venture Development Program will compete for the $10,000 grand prize in a rapid-fire rocket pitch competition. Participants have spent their senior year receiving intensive experiential education that engages them in the process of moving innovation from an early-stage idea to a sustainable launch-ready venture.