Do you feel that? The weather's slowly warming up, the days are getting longer and, soon, ski slopes throughout New Mexico will host their final runs of the season. Spring is coming, and while that means all the things above, it also means it's almost time for Inno Madness!
Each year, New Mexico Inno picks out 16 startups from across the area to square off in a friendly, bracket-style competition. Those 16 companies, through four consecutive rounds of voting, will eventually narrow down to one standalone Inno Madness champion.
The real beauty of the whole thing is that which startup comes out on top is completely decided by you, the voter!
But before the competition can start, New Mexico Inno needs to select which 16 startups will square off. We want your help.
Use the nomination form here, which can also be found at the bottom of this page, to nominate a startup you think should be a part of this year's Inno Madness bracket. The form closes at midnight on Friday, Feb. 2.
We'll reveal the full bracket the first week of March. Then, the 16 startups, chosen with your help, will be pitted against one another in four rounds of voting until one champion emerges.
Bracket seeding will be determined by a number of factors, including a startup's age, past Inno Madness success, recent traction and prior New Mexico Inno coverage. Every year there are a few newcomers who upset their way through the bracket, and some staples who power their way through the rounds.
Meet Albuquerque-based Terra Vera, last year's champion, here, and Santa Fe's Solstar Space Co., our inaugural champion, here. And be on the lookout for the full bracket come March.
Contact Jacob Maranda, energy and technology reporter for Albuquerque Business First, with questions on the nomination or selection process.
