Opportunity is knocking. Will you answer the call?Apply online for your chance to join the ranks of our past winnerswho’ve collectively raised more than $1B in funding
Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, pits the most promising startups against one another in a live pitch, head-to-head competition. Think you’ve got what it takes? Applying is FREE, easier than ever, and open to early-stage firms demonstrating proven market traction.
The competition starts with selected presenting companies grouped into distinct categories based on industry focus. The companies are chosen by an expert selection panel, then the finalist companies advance to the live-demo portion of the contest held February 20, 2020 at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
Leading up to the event, finalist companies will get expert mentorship from seasoned investors, business leaders and other successful entrepreneurs in preparation for the competition. At the live event, they’ll compete in head-to-head pitches in each category for a chance to win cash, and most importantly, get exposure for their company while building an invaluable network of the Southwest’s most active investors who attend Venture Madness specifically to grow their investment portfolios with the next heroes!
Please Note: If your company is selected to present at our 2020 event, you will be required to attend our Presenting Company Orientation & Reception on January 9, 2020, and Mentor Team Meetings held on January 24 and February 7, 2020.
The application window for Venture Madness 2020 will run Wednesday, October 23, 2019 through 3:00 p.m. (AZ time) on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Here’s what you’ll do:
Please note, all applicants will be asked to:
Completed applications will receive a confirmation email of their successful submission. If any additional information is required, an Invest Southwest representative will contact you.
Then simply hang tight until we notify by phone call and email all companies that have been selected to compete live at Venture Madness 2020! Good luck!
Call for Applications:October 23 – December 5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020Tempe Center for the Arts | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Conference Registration / Check-in / Continental Breakfast | Tempe Center for the Arts |
| 9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome | |
| 9:15 – 9:30 AM | Overview / Introduction to Presenting Companies | |
| 9:30 – 9:45 AM | Break / Transition to Breakouts | |
| 9:45 – 12:00 PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS | |
| 11:40 – 12:30 PM | NETWORKING LUNCHEON | |
| 12:15 – 12:45 PM12:45 – 1:15 PM | KEYNOTE TBA | |
| 1:15 – 1:30 PM | Break / Transition to Breakouts | |
| 1:30- 3:30 PM | AFTERNOON BREAKOUT PRESENTATIONS | |
| 5:00 PM | CATEGORY WINNERS ANNOUNCED | |
| 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Networking Reception | TBA |
For 2020 we’ll continue our condensed event format with the live pitch event, keynote, networking luncheon and more all on the same day. Industry categories and pitch tracks will be assigned when finalist companies are announced in early 2020.
Competing companies in the 2020 event will vie for their share of cash prizes, with winners in each industry category receiving a cash prize, and most importantly, getting exclusive time with the Southwest’s most active angel and VC investors. All finalists receive publicity in the Arizona media, and may be interviewed by the press before and/or following the event. Finalist companies also receive expert mentorship from seasoned executives and serial entrepreneurs.
No matter where you land in the competition, participants build an invaluable network of accredited investors who are specifically looking to grow their investment portfolios with leading companies. Many past applicants and participants report meeting future Board members, advisors and investors that help guide and grow their firm for years to come, fueling their way to the top step by step.
What is Venture Madness?
Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, pits 15 – 30 of the most promising startup companies against one another in a single-elimination, bracket style tournament. The Venture Madness Champion is crowned after a month of online competition plus a live, do-or-die event held in the first quarter of every year, featuring an audience of hundreds of guests including past winners, entrepreneurs, active angel and venture capital investors, emerging growth companies, seasoned mentors and expert service professionals.
What is the cost to apply?
It is completely FREE to apply for the 2020 Venture Madness Competition, other than your time to complete the application and create your pitch deck. If you advance as one of the final companies that participate in the live event, you will be responsible for your travel and accommodations to attend the Presenting Company Orientation and Reception and the live Venture Madness Conference in Arizona.
What are the benefits to applying to present and compete in Venture Madness?
Companies that present at the conference will not only meet people who’ve been in your shoes (which is invaluable in a startup’s journey), you’ll meet mentors and industry influencers who can help mentor your team and accelerate your growth. You’ll also have the opportunity to network and spend quality time connecting with some of our region’s most active angel and venture capital investors, get mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and past contestants, and connect with the other competing companies.
You’ll also network with and learn from a 30+ member selection panel that includes expert investors, investment bankers and seasoned service professionals, in addition to the other entrepreneurial minds and guest speakers who attend the event. Your startup will get national and international exposure through the Venture Madness website leading up to, and throughout the competition, as we promote the event and competing companies online through search and social media, as well as PR exposure through the local and national media. All 24 participating companies will be mentioned in the conference notebook and the press releases that are distributed to local press and nationally throughout the competition as well as to more than 300 attendees at the live event. You’ll also receive ongoing promotions and PR following the event via the website, social media and PR.
Who reviews my application?
Invest Southwest will review initial applications, and based on weighted scores, the top finalists will be invited to participate in Venture Madness. Read the How It Works section for more information.
How is my application evaluated?
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by an expert judging panel and evaluation criteria is based on your solution uniqueness, competitive differentiation, market traction, potential market opportunity, business model, team strength and presentation quality. Please check back for the competition Terms and Conditions for more details on evaluation timelines.
What are the pitch video requirements?
Note for 2020! As with our 2019 event, no pitch videos will be required for applicants of our 2020 contest, only your online application via our application portal. It is important that you include all requested information as well as your pro forma financials and initial pitch presentation (in PowerPoint .PPTX format). Apply online October 23, 2019 through December 5, 2019. Please note that late submissions will not be accepted for the competition.
Please check back on October 23, 2019 for a link to the online application portal.
How can I confirm that my application was successfully submitted?
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, our online application system will take you to a thank you page confirming your submission. If you apply prior to the deadline and do not see a thank you confirmation page or experience other issues with the application site, please email Karen Katzorke at karen.katzorke@investsouthwest.org.
When do I know if my company was selected to present at the conference?
An Invest Southwest representative will be in touch with you approximately one month prior to the conference if your company is selected to present. At that point you’ll receive all necessary instructions on your participation and preparation for the event. Then the rest is up to you!
If my company is selected to present at the Venture Madness Conference, what are the next steps?
An Invest Southwest representative will contact each company to notify them if they have been selected. The companies selected to present at the conference are required to attend our Presenting Company Orientation event on January 9, 2020, and the Mentor Team Sessions held on January 24 and February 7, 2020.
What if there are problems with my application?
If you have a technical difficulty submitting your application through ValidEval, please submit a help request here. If your response is not resolved through ValidEval, please contact Karen Katzorke, Executive Director of Invest Southwest., right away. Due to tight timelines, we ask that you follow up quickly with any issues or questions.
Please note that Invest Southwest receives a high volume of calls the week prior to the application deadline, and your request will be responded to in the order that is is received.
Can I attend the Venture Madness Conference?
Yes, conference registration is open to the public. The event registration typically opens in December.