Student startups from Arizona universities to compete at Arizona Collegiate Venture Competition
Student startups from Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University to compete at Arizona Collegiate Venture Competition March 27
Winning startup to receive $30,000 in funding and mentoring
Phoenix, Arizona – The third annual Arizona Collegiate Venture Competition (ACVC) is set for March 27, with twelve teams from Arizona's three public universities competing for $30,000 in seed funding, mentorship and institutional bragging rights.
The event, which showcases Arizona's top student startups, fosters collaboration and friendly competition among the state's universities and highlights the statewide entrepreneurship ecosystem that is growing in Arizona. This year's event will be hosted by Arizona State University, at ASU Skysong in Scottsdale, AZ.
Entering its third year, the competition is designed in collaboration with the University of Arizona's McGuire Entrepreneurship Program, ASU's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative, and Northern Arizona University's NACET LaunchBox. During the competition, four teams, selected by their respective universities will compete for $30,000 in funding, mentoring, and the Startup Territorial Cup, a perpetual trophy that goes to the winning team's university each year.
"We are thrilled to host ACVC, one of the most exciting student entrepreneurship competitions in the country," said Mitzi Montoya, vice president and university dean of entrepreneurship and innovation at ASU. "Arizona is home to one of the most thriving student entrepreneurship communities in the country and ACVC offers an opportunity to showcase the new entrepreneurial talent coming out of our public universities."
At ACVC, student teams pitch their startups to a panel of judges that includes local entrepreneurs and investors. Each startup is evaluated on seven criteria: problem and proposed solution, strength of team and advisors, market opportunity, go-to-market strategy, budget, progress made toward launch, and overall quality.
The grand prize winner will take home $10,000 in funding and secure the Startup Territorial Cup for its university. Two first runners-up will each receive $7,000, and the following three second runners-up will each receive $2,000. A hosted reception will follow the pitch competition.
Hool Coury Law Group and MAC6 generously sponsor the Arizona Collegiate Venture Competition by providing $15,000 each in prize money to ACVC winners.