Arizona Commerce Authority Announces Spring 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge Winners

 

PHOENIX, AZ (June 25, 2014) — The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced the six winning companies in its Spring 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). These grant recipients represent innovative Arizona entrepreneurs who are creating technological solutions with the potential for global impact:

  • Amber Alert GPS, Scottsdale, AZ (IT – Hardware): Alert GPS is the developer of a Cellular/GPS Smart Locator, Smartphone Apps and a Cloud Service intended to keep families safe and connected anywhere in the world. The technology enables two-way cellular phone communication, continuous GPS tracking and customizable alerts.

 

  • EndoVantage, Paradise Valley, AZ (Bio – Life Sciences): EndoVantage is the developer of a medical computer simulation platform that enables pre-surgery planning that improves treatment quality, patient care and decreases cost. The technology also can be used by medical device companies in product research, development and sales.

 

  • LawLytics, Tucson, AZ (IT – Software): LawLytics is the creator of a software suite that empowers lawyers to maximize online marketing dollars in a safe, intuitive and fully-supported environment. Designed by lawyers for the legal industry, it allows firms to control their websites, blogs and social media from a single control panel.

 

  • Picmonic, Tempe, AZ (IT – Software): Picmonic is the developer of technology designed to help students master content through the use of an interactive online audiovisual learning system that delivers scientific memory techniques through art, audio instructions and textual overviews, brought together with cohesive stories.

 

  • Triton Microtechnologies, Oro Valley, AZ (Advanced Manufacturing): Triton Microtechnologies designs and manufactures Through Glass Via (TGV) Technology that enables customers to integrate electronic circuits into glass, and allows them to scale from single quantities to millions of parts.

 

  • World View Enterprises, Tucson, AZ (Aerospace – Defense): World View Enterprises is the developer of high-altitude balloon technology that will provide trips to near space for tourism, research, and industry uses. A sealed capsule carries 8 people to 100,000 feet to see the Earth from the edge of space or to perform research. The unmanned balloons can carry payloads for communications, surveillance, research, and launching microsatellites.

“This round of the Arizona Innovation Challenge demonstrates why Arizona continues to be recognized as a hub of innovation and technology,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “It’s exhilarating to see so many bright minds compete to bring technological advancements to the market, while taking advantage of our state’s supportive entrepreneurial climate. Their innovations help to support our economy and contribute to our long-term vitality and quality of life.”

 

Under the Arizona Commerce Authority, six rounds of the AIC have been completed with a total of 771 companies participating in the program. Including these recent recipients, the ACA has awarded 38 AIC grants to Arizona’s entrepreneurs to help them accelerate their businesses and advance technologies, which are diversifying Arizona’s innovation economy.

 

"The ACA Innovation Grant has been a true game-changer for Recoleta. It has provided enormous credibility in our discussions with grocers, consumer-packaged goods companies and potential strategic partners,” said Alan Alexander, CEO of Recoleta Digital Media, a Fall 2013 AIC grant winner and creator of the digital “Personal Grocery Circular” system.

 

“Winning the AIC award has been a significant factor in accomplishing several major milestones towards the growth of Delivery IT,” said co-founder and CEO Brian Houston, a Fall 2013 AIC grant winner. “It has enabled us to complete the SMARTDelivery™ Platform, finalize its patent application and take it to market throughout the Western US. Without the grant and other programs offered by the ACA, Delivery IT would not be as successful as we are today.”

 

The AIC is a bi-annual business plan competition that awards qualified, innovative start-ups and early stage companies, up to $250,000 in grant funding capital to grow their businesses – ultimately advancing innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona. Spring 2014 winners were selected from a pool of 135 applicants.

 

The ACA commits $3 million annually to the Arizona Innovation Challenge — $1.5 million awarded in both the spring and the fall. Companies receiving awards will be required to commercialize their technology and generate revenue within the following 12 months.

 

Every applying company that meets the AIC’s eligibility requirements will receive constructive feedback generated from the rigorous online evaluation and scoring process. They will also be provided the opportunity to meet with an Innovation Challenge judge to discuss their feedback, and to learn about other ACA programs to help their businesses succeed.

 

Media Contact

Joseph Valdez, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1234, [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.