The Arizona Commerce Authority has selected 30 companies as semifinalists in its 2023 Arizona Innovation Challenge, the organization announced this week.
The Arizona Innovation Challenge is intended to help early-stage companies grow through resources, mentorship and potential to be chosen for ACA’s Venture Ready Accelerator program.
ACA chose the 30 semifinalists from a pool of 100 applicants. Judges will name 15 finalists to pitch their startups to a panel of investors in November.
The panel will then select 10 companies for the ACA’s Venture Ready Accelerator, a yearlong program that helps startups refine business plans, improve go-to-market strategies, ensure investor readiness and provides up to $150,000 to companies that reach specific milestones.
Awardees will be announced on December 1.
More than 41% of applications for this year's Arizona Innovation Challenge were from IT/Software startups, following by biotech and life sciences, which amounted to 24% of applications. Other sectors include cleantech/ renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and aerospace and defense.
“Narrowing it down to just 30 semifinalists from 100 applicants for this year’s competition was a challenging task,” Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, said in a statement. "Each year we’re more impressed with the caliber of startups applying for the AIC and this year was no exception. Congratulations to each of this year’s semifinalists and good luck in the next round."
Here’s the 2023 semifinalists:
Biotech/Life Sciences
- BioBolt Medical — Tucson
- Cerebrum — Chandler
- Dx4Liver Inc. — Scottsdale
- Macula Vision Systems — Oro Valley
- Metfora —Tucson
- MiiCare — Lewes, Delaware
- PathogenDx — Tucson
- RPM-One Inc. — Gilbert
- Saguaro Health and Security — Scottsdale
- TheraCea Pharma LC – Tucson
IT/Software
- AlgoFace — Carefree
- Dotscribe — Scottsdale
- Ervaren LLC (dba as RAIDLOG.com) — Phoenix
- Hall of Fame Bets — Gilbert
- Kartiv Inc. — Scottsdale
- LocalBuzz — Phoenix
- MealManage LLC — Scottsdale
- Reelay Meetings Inc. — Scottsdale
- Ribbit Learning Co. — Scottsdale
- Simplifyance — Scottsdale
- Solid State Networks — Phoenix
- Swift Coat Inc – Phoenix — IT/Software
Cleantech/Renewable energy
- CarbeniumTec Holdings Inc. — Tucson
- CIRQ+ — Scottsdale
- Homer Farms Inc. — Phoenix
- Nobel Works Corp. — Tucson
- OXbyEL Technologies Inc. — Phoenix
- SunFlex Solar LLC — Tempe
Aerospace/Defense
- HeetShield Inc — Flagstaff
Advanced manufacturing
- OverQuota Inc.— Fountain Hills
Read about the 2022 Innovation Challenge semifinalists here.
