With tech sector wages growing in Arizona, and more seasoned startup owners paying it forward by investing in new Valley-based ventures, the Grand Canyon State is gaining a reputation as a growing innovation hub.
That's why AZ Inno — the online website affiliated with Phoenix Business Journal that is the only Arizona-based publication focused solely on the state's startup and innovation community — is gearing up for the third-annual Fire Awards program, where these fast-track businesses and their founders can be recognized by their peers and the greater business community.
The 2024 Fire Awards represent AZ Inno’s premier recognition program, honoring the companies. organizations and individuals who are setting the local innovation economy ablaze.
Nominees who fill out the nomination form can submit key information about milestones achieved by these startups in the past 12 months. Funding rounds, market share data, employee growth and future plans for expansion are among the data points to be considered in picking this year's finalists. The deadline to file nominations is Friday, April 5.
At the 2023 Fire Awards event held last June, AZ Inno honored innovators in multiple award categories: Software, Health Care/Biotech, Female Founders and the Inno Pick category chosen by the AZ Inno brain trust, including reporter Amy Edelen. Last year's Software category winner was Qwick, led by CEO Jamie Baxter; the Health Care/Biotech winner was Tucson-based Delta Development Team; the Female Founder winner was Michelle Tinsley; and the Inno Pick winner was Noggin Boss, the fast-growth Phoenix startup that makes those huge, oversized baseball caps.
The 2023 Inno Blazer Award went to Diana Vowels, who at the time was CEO of StartupAZ.
Jim Poulin | Phoenix Business Journal
The top Fire Awards honor each year goes to an individual who is honored with the Blazer Award (along with a snazzy red jacket) for being a longtime builder and mentor within Arizona's startup community. In 2023, the winner was Diana Vowels, who at the time was the CEO of Startup AZ, and was previously with Galvanize Phoenix. Earlier this year, Vowels stepped down as the top executive with StartupAZ and has taken on a new startup gig alongside her husband David with Pet Ortho Braces, which makes custom orthotic braces for animals.
Who will win the Fire Awards in 2024? That's up to you, so fill out the nomination form to give these hardworking entrepreneurs the recognition they deserve.
Check out photos from last year's AZ Inno Fire Awards event below:
From left, Alison McGowan, Aaron Burckle from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, the event presenting sponsor, and Deborah Pearson of OneAz Credit Union chat before the awards presentation.
AZ Inno and Phoenix Business Journal technology reporter Amy Edelen, left, interviews Gregg Scoresby, the 2022 Blazer Award winner and CEO of PHX Ventures about the state of the Arizona venture capital sector.
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