Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, pits 24 of the most promising startups against one another in a bracket-style, head-to-head competition. Think you’ve got what it takes? Applying is free and open to early-stage firms demonstrating proven market traction.
Since 1992, Invest Southwest has helped startups raise more than $300 million in capital while being the premier organization that connects investors with the best and brightest ventures in the region. For more than 20 years, it has served the entrepreneurial community primarily through the annual Invest Southwest Capital Conference. That all changed in 2013 when Invest Southwest introduced its signature event, Venture Madness, in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority. This inaugural event has led to the year-round calendar of events to help strengthen the growing ecosystem.
Invest Southwest’s commitment to the region and the startup community is manifest through year-round marketing initiatives that provide valuable insights and education on topics important to the startup ecosystem, as well as opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs to connect during educational seminars and networking events.
Invest Southwest is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. As the connective tissue between startups and investors, Invest Southwest may not operate for the benefit of private interests, which is why you will not hear startups pitching to investors at Invest Southwest events. Its purpose is to support the growing startup ecosystem in Arizona and its neighboring states. For more about nonprofits and 501(c)(3) organizations, read the IRS information page.
Invest Southwest is able to provide support and opportunities because of angel investors and groups, venture capital firms, corporate ventures, incubators, lawyers, CPAs, entrepreneurs and other organizations that support the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It connects these funding groups directly with the startups they support, as well as with mentorship and networking opportunities.