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IDEAFUNDING
Pitch live. Win non-dilutive capital.
Build momentum in front of Arizona’s entrepreneurial community.
Arizona’s Longest-Running Pitch Competition
APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 1ST!
IdeaFunding returns in 2026 as part of TENWEST, connecting early-stage Arizona founders to pitch training, mentorship, visibility, and $50,000+ in non-dilutive prizes.
Organized by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, and presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority, founders apply into one of two tracks designed to meet them where they are. Applications are due February 1st.
THE IDEAFUNDING MAIN STAGE SHOWCASE
Pitch live on the historic Rialto Theatre stage in front of 300+ attendees and Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine.
Finalists selected to advance to the IdeaFunding Main Stage Showcase will pitch live on stage as part of TENWEST, Arizona’s largest entrepreneurship and creativity festival.
This is a true main-stage experience with professional lighting, a live audience, and nationally recognized judges where founders share their story at scale and compete for non-dilutive capital in front of Arizona’s entrepreneurial community.
Main Stage Showcase Presented by:
WHY FOUNDER'S APPLY TO IDEAFUNDING
IdeaFunding is more than a pitch competition. It’s a chance to step onto a public stage, sharpen your story, and accelerate what comes next.
Founders apply to IdeaFunding to:
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Pressure-test their idea in front of experienced judges
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Build a pitch deck they can reuse with customers, partners, and funders
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Gain visibility across Arizona’s startup and creative communities
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Access non-dilutive capital at a critical early stage
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Join a founder cohort that’s supported long after the event ends
For many founders, IdeaFunding is the first time they publicly articulate their vision—and the moment their company starts to feel real.
“Participating in IdeaFunding at TENWEST was such a fun and rewarding experience...winning was exciting, but honestly, the connections I made and the energy of the event were...truly memorable.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to challenge yourself, connect with great people, and have a blast along the way, IdeaFunding is absolutely worth it.”
— PJ McGuire, Wrapperoo
HOW IDEAFUNDING WORKS
IdeaFunding is designed to help founders sharpen their story, test assumptions, and gain momentum—whether or not they advance to the final stage.
YOUR GUIDE TO APPLYING FOR IDEAFUNDING 2026
IdeaFunding 2026 features two clearly defined tracks. Founders must apply to one track only.
STEP 1: REVIEW RULES, ELIGIBILITY & KEY DATES
Before applying, founders should confirm they are eligible and able to participate fully. IdeaFunding includes required in-person and live virtual components. If a team is unable to attend a required session or meet required deadlines, they may not be able to continue in the competition.
Eligibility & Rules:
IdeaFunding has specific eligibility requirements and rules to participate. Before applying, all founders are responsible for meeting all eligibility requirements. At a high-level these include:
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You must be an Arizona-based company
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You may apply to one track only
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Your company must meet stage, revenue, and funding limits for your chosen track
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You must be able to pitch in person if selected
If selected to advance, IdeaFunding also follows a set of rules to ensure the competition remains fair for all participants. Founders should review all rules before applying.
Required Dates & Time Commitment:
IdeaFunding includes required in-person and live virtual components. Founders must be available for the dates below to participate. If a team is unable to attend a required session, they may not be able to advance or continue in the competition. Please review these dates carefully before applying.
Key Dates at a Glance
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Applications Open: January 9, 2026
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Pitch Training Sessions: January 13 & January 22, 2026
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Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
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Round 1 In-Person Pitches:
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Creative & Community Innovation Track: March 2–3, 2026
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Tech Startup Track: March 4–5, 2026
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Day-Of Track Finals & Main Stage Showcase: March 26, 2026
Additional required deadlines include pitch deck submissions and finalist preparation sessions.
Optional Support & Preparation (Strongly Encouraged)
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Pitch Training & Orientation Sessions: January 13 or January 22, 2026
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Optional office hours and mentorship sessions between rounds
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR TRACK
IdeaFunding 2026 features two clearly defined tracks. Founders must apply to one track only.
Tech Startup Track
For scalable, innovation-driven companies pursuing high-growth opportunities. This track emphasizes scalability, defensibility, commercialization progress, and go-to-market logic.
Examples include:
SaaS and software platforms, bioscience and medical technologies, advanced materials, deep tech, science-based ventures, and SBIR/STTR Phase I-funded teams.
Creative & Community Innovation Track
For creative product companies and community-serving ventures building sustainable businesses. This track emphasizes product-market fit, traction, customer or community engagement, brand clarity, and operational sustainability.
Examples include:
CPG, food and beverage, wellness and lifestyle brands, design-forward products, services, social enterprises, and community-impact organizations.
Explore before applying:
STEP 3: BUILD YOUR DECK & SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
IdeaFunding uses a deck-first application. This will be used to review your initial application and then will be used alongside your in-person pitch presentations.
There is no required slide order or template but decks should not include more than 12 total slides. Decks are evaluated using track-specific rubrics that focus on clarity, validation, and execution potential.
What Matters & How You're Evaluated: Your Pitch Deck
READY TO APPLY?
Applications Due Feb 1st
PREPARING FOR IDEAFUNDING:
What Else to Know Before you Pitch
PITCH TRAINING & FOUNDER ORIENTATION
Build a pitch you can use far beyond IdeaFunding
IdeaFunding’s pitch training is designed to help founders think clearly about their business—not just perform for a competition. Whether or not you advance, the process of building a focused pitch deck helps founders clarify their value proposition, identify gaps, and communicate more effectively with customers, partners, and future funders.
Founders consistently tell us that the pitch deck they build for IdeaFunding becomes the foundation for future fundraising, partnerships, and customer conversations.
We strongly encourage ALL founders to join us for one of the following Pitch Training & Orientation Sessions to learn more about IdeaFunding and about preparing your application. More than an info session, this training gives you a pitch framework you can reuse well beyond IdeaFunding. A recorded version will be made available by January 16th. You can return to this page to gain access to the recording.
PRIZES THAT HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD
IdeaFunding 2026 will award $50,000+ in non-dilutive prizes, designed to help founders take a meaningful next step.
2026 Prizes include:
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Cash awards to support near-term growth or experimentation
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Sponsored services and value-add support
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Track, industry, and specialty prizes aligned with founder needs including the United Way Social Impact Prize, the CIC Adalante Arizona Prize for diverse founders and the Startup Tucson People's Choice Award
Two equal-value awards are presented during the Main Stage Showcase, recognizing different forms of excellence (NEW FOR 2026!):
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Catalyst Award – for companies where funding can create immediate momentum
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Vision Award – for bold ideas with long-term potential
Prizes are awarded live, on stage, in front of the community—bringing visibility as well as capital.
JUDGES, MENTORS & PARTNERS
IdeaFunding brings together experienced judges, mentors, and partners who understand what it takes to build at an early stage and who evaluate founders thoughtfully and fairly.
JUDGES
IdeaFunding judges include national thought leaders and Arizona-based operators, investors, and ecosystem builders. All judges use track-specific rubrics and are selected for their ability to ask meaningful, founder-relevant questions. Judges bring experience in startup investing, product development, creative ventures, community-focused businesses, and technology commercialization.
MENTORS
Mentorship is a core part of IdeaFunding. Mentors are aligned by track and business model and do not serve as judges, ensuring founders receive candid support without conflicts of interest. Founders who advance gain access to mentors who help them sharpen their pitch, identify risks, and prepare for live presentations.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
IdeaFunding offers meaningful opportunities for organizations to support Arizona founders through non-dilutive prizes, specialty awards, and value-add support.
Partners can engage in ways that align with their mission—whether by supporting a specific track, industry, or founder community, or by contributing expertise and resources that help founders move forward.
The IdeaFunding Main Stage Showcase is presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority and co-produced by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) as part of TENWEST.
