Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, pits the most promising startups and emerging growth companies in a 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 emerging growth companies raise more than $1 billion in capital as one of the region’s premier organizations that connects investors with the best and brightest ventures around. 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 to the investor and emerging growth communities is manifested through marketing and public relations initiatives that provide valuable insights and education on topics important to the investor and emerging growth ecosystems.
Invest Southwest is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. As the connection between investors and emerging growth companies, Invest Southwest may not operate for the benefit of private interests. Its purpose is to support the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Arizona, its neighboring states and throughout the country. For more about nonprofits and 501(c)(6) 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.