Valley startups named finalists for national government pitch competition

Two Valley startups are finalists in a national pitch competition highlighting business concepts that improve access to government resources.

HUUB, a Mesa-based startup founded by local entrepreneur Jenny Poon, and Televeda, of Phoenix, are among 10 finalists for CivStart’s 2024 Government Innovation Challenge and Pitchfest.

CivStart — along with government officials from five cities in Florida, Texas, California and the Washington D.C. metro area — selected the two Valley startups from a pool of more than 40 applicants nationwide.

"We're thrilled to be selected as a finalist for this event. It offers an invaluable opportunity for us to connect with city leaders who share our passion for driving positive change in entrepreneur communities," Poon, cofounder and CEO of HUUB, said in a statement. "Being named a finalist reaffirms the incredible momentum behind HUUB's vision for transforming how small business support is measured, managed and deployed.”

HUUB created a digital platform that connects small businesses with government resources and education. The platform also acts as an extension of municipal economic development departments, providing real-time data that allows cities to make informed decisions on allocating resources and funding based on the specific needs of their communities.

HUUB’s platform has been adopted by dozens of economic developers in Arizona — including in Mesa, Phoenix and Tucson — to centralize resources, measure impact, gather data and enhance technical assistance programs. The platform is now rolling out nationwide, according to a company release.

Televeda — the other Valley finalist in CivStart’s pitch competition — developed a mental health platform that’s used by public health and community organizations to combat social isolation for vulnerable populations.

The company, founded in 2018, serves people in 26 states and partners with 125 community-based organizations to bring virtual programming to residents.

Televeda was not immediately available for comment on its participation in the pitch event.

Participants in CivStart’s pitch competition will present their business ideas to government officials representing five municipalities, including Richmond and Arlington, Virginia; Miami-Dade County, Florida.; Houston and Los Altos Hills, California.

Startups to compete for a pilot partnership

The startups will compete to win a “proof of concept” pilot partnership with one or more of the five participating municipalities. The event also provides networking opportunities with government attendees and other startups.

The pitch event takes place April 30 in Kansas City, Missouri and is held in partnership with the National League of Cities’ City Inclusive Ecosystems Program, which is supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

With a focus on supporting ecosystem-building, access to local government resources, workforce development, and data for decision-making, CivStart’s Government Innovation Challenge is integral to its mission of fostering innovation and collaboration within local communities, according to the nonprofit.

"This event is a fantastic opportunity for government entities, startups, investors, and impact-focused professionals to come together and explore innovative solutions," Sarah Nicoll, CivStart’s chief strategy officer, said in a statement. "We're excited to showcase the groundbreaking ideas of our top 10 finalists and facilitate meaningful connections within the govtech ecosystem."

Other finalists in CivStart’s Government Innovation Challenge include: