StartupAZ selects 12 companies for 2024 Founders Collective Launch Cohort

StartupAZ, an organization that supports the state’s innovation ecosystem, has selected 12 companies for its 2024 Founders Collective Launch Cohort.

The StartupAZ Founders Collective Launch Cohort is a yearlong program in which founders converge to support each other while scaling their companies. Startups in this year’s cohort represent a variety of industries, including education, financial services, retail, property tech and construction.

StartupAZ selected the 12 companies from more than 30 applicants, making it one of the most competitive selections to date, the organization announced Thursday.

“This has been one of the most exciting years selecting our final cohort to join the Founders Collective, and I cannot wait to get them plugged into the network,” Brandon Clarke, StartupAZ co-founder and chair, said in a statement. “StartupAZ remains committed to providing access to the tools, resources, and talent these founders need to build great companies. With this unique access comes their responsibility to execute.”

Participants in the cohort will receive mentorship from StartupAZ’s founder-in-residence network that includes WebPT’s Heidi Jannenga, Solera Health’s Brenda Schmidt, Qwick’s Jamie Baxter and Gregg Scoresby of PHX Ventures.

“Eight years ago, as I ventured into the uncertain terrain of building Qwick, a lifeline appeared — StartupAZ,” Jamie Baxter, cofounder of Qwick, said in a statement. “This extraordinary organization has been the North Star for over 100 founders like me, guiding us, connecting us, and pushing us to achieve the unthinkable.”

Since 2015, StartupAZ has supported over 120 early-stage founders, many of whom have built and scaled successful businesses. Three founders in this year's cohort were nominees for AZ Inno's 2024 Fire Awards, which recognizes emerging Arizona-based companies. Another cohort member was among AZ Inno's 2024 Startups to Watch.

StartupAZ’s annual cohort is intended to bring entrepreneurs together to combine their talents, network and resources to help each other achieve milestones and create a lasting impact on the community, according to the organization.

The 2024 StartupAZ Founders Launch Collective members are: