Arizona Commerce Authority Names 25 Semifinalists for The Arizona Innovation Challenge

PHOENIX, AZ (March 26, 2012) — The Arizona Commerce Authority announced 25 companies will move on as semifinalists for the first round of the 2012 Arizona Innovation Challenge. A panel of expert judges evaluated more than 300 applications from start-ups, judging each on a set of criteria including technology potential, marketing strategy, management team, and the potential for job and wealth creation. Finalists will be named in mid-April, with winners selected in May. Winning companies will receive anywhere between $100,000 to $250,000.

“As evidenced by the impressive pool of applicants, Arizona is the place to be for entrepreneurs. It has long been a goal of the ACA to elevate Arizona to become the number one state in the nation for start-ups. We are pleased that the 2012 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity recognized Arizona as such,” said Don Cardon, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.

The challenge — which is the largest financial prize of its kind in the country — advances innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by supporting early stage ventures in Arizona’s targeted industries of renewable energy and sustainability, bio and life sciences, electronics, information technologies, aerospace and defense and advanced manufacturing. The ACA doubled its commitment to the Arizona Innovation Challenge for 2012. Initially funded at $1.5 million, the ACA will commit $3 million to the program, creating two rounds of competition ($1.5 million in award money for each challenge).

Start-ups receiving awards will be required to commercialize their technology solution and generate revenue within one year of the award. All companies will receive significant feedback generated from the evaluation process and a seasoned panel of evaluators, be invited to partner with commercialization resources across Arizona, and will be evaluated for eligibility in other ACA incentive programs like the Angel Investment Program.

The 2012 Arizona Innovation Challenge semifinalists are:

Acudora

Agave Semiconductor

BCR Diagnostics

Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals

Care H2 Energy Systems

Cummings Engineering

Desert Dog Marketing

Discern Science

Dmetrix

Earth Knowledge

ECOmplete

HJ3 Composite Technologies

IPO Solutions

Kutta Radios

MaxQ Technology

MD24

MedApps

Pathogene

Phocus

PureTech Systems

Securecomm

Serious Integrated

Solar Pool Technologies

Sycara

WholesaleFund

Arizona is a recognized leader in the nation for entrepreneurial activity. The 2012 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity ranks Arizona #1 in the nation for entrepreneurial activity. Arizona also ranked fifth in the U.S. for start-ups, sixth in the U.S. for entrepreneurship and innovation and in the top ten in the U.S. for small business lending. Through a suite of programs, including the Arizona Innovation Challenge, the Arizona Innovation Accelerator Fund, the AZ Fast Grants, and the AZ State Trade and Export Promotion Program, Arizona is helping start-ups bring their ideas to life, expand, and serve as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth.

Media Contact

Nicole McTheny, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1231, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.