Arizona Commerce Authority Announces Semifinalists in the Fall 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge

PHOENIX, AZ (December 2, 2014) — The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced 25 semifinalists in its Fall 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), a bi-annual business plan competition awarding $3 million annually to talented entrepreneurs.

Each year, the ACA awards – $1.5 million in the spring and $1.5 million in the fall – to the most qualified, innovative startups and early-stage companies. Recipients receive up to $250,000 in capital to grow their businesses, advancing innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona.

“We congratulate the forward-thinking entrepreneurs selected as our newest AIC semifinalists,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “Arizona’s engagement with early-stage companies through its suite of targeted programs continues to spur growth, technology commercialization and capital investment within Arizona’s innovation ecosystem. With more than 1,200 applications received for the AIC since 2011, the program continues to be among the many opportunities available to innovators which have made Arizona a top hub for entrepreneurial activity and startup success.”

The 25 Fall 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge Semifinalists include:

        COMPANY                                          INDUSTRY                                         CITY

• Adosia, LLC                                         IT – Software                                     Tempe, AZ
• Allbound                                             IT – Software                                     Scottsdale, AZ
• Cactus Semiconductor                    Advanced Manufacturing                           Chandler, AZ
• CampusLogic                                      IT – Software                                     Gilbert, AZ
• Crowd Mics                                        IT – Software                                     Mesa, AZ
• Dermspectra, LLC                             Bio & Life Sciences                                Tucson, AZ
• Energy Conservation Mgmt.         Cleantech/Renewable Energy                        Scottsdale, AZ
• EZ Dump Commercial                     Advanced Manufacturing                           Phoenix, AZ
• HiringSolved                                     IT – Software                                        Chandler, AZ
• Iris PR Management                          IT – Software                                        Phoenix, AZ
• Iron Horse Diagnostics, Inc.              Bio & Life Sciences                                  Scottsdale, AZ
• MWI Laboratories                             Advanced Materials                                 Tempe, AZ
• Next Alternative, Inc.                    Cleantech/Renewable Energy                       Chandler, AZ
• Numa Tactical Eyewear                     Advanced Materials                                 Phoenix, AZ
• NuvOx Pharma                                 Bio & Life Sciences                                  Tucson, AZ
• Park Genius                                       IT – Software                                        Tucson, AZ
• PoG Technologies, LLC                  Cleantech/Renewable Energy                        Peoria, AZ
• Pure Chat                                           IT – Software                                       Scottsdale, AZ
• RightBio Metrics                               Bio & Life Sciences                                   Scottsdale, AZ
• Salutaris Medical Devices, Inc.          Bio & Life Sciences                                    Tucson, AZ
• Sentinel Internet Systems                    IT – Software                                         Phoenix, AZ
• Smart Service Desk                             IT – Software                                        Chandler, AZ
• Spotlight Software                               IT – Software                                        Peoria, AZ
• Universal Bio Mining                          Bio & Life Sciences                                   Tucson, AZ
• Zero Shock Seating                           Advanced Manufacturing                            Chandler, AZ

A panel of expert judges evaluated 154 applications from the Fall 2014 AIC submitted by companies based in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. The judges assessed each application on a set of criteria including technology potential, marketing strategy, quality of management team and economic impact. These companies represent high-value industry sectors that include IT software, IT hardware, bio and life sciences, cleantech/renewable energy, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace and defense.

Every applying company that meets the AIC’s eligibility requirements will receive constructive feedback generated from the rigorous online evaluation and scoring process. All semifinalists also will be considered for participation in Venture Ready, the ACA’s mentor program that connects early stage companies with high-level CEOs to further refine business plans and investor pitches.

The ACA will name its Fall 2014 Arizona Innovation Challenge finalists in early January and the winners later that same month.

Media Contact

Susan Marie, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1231, [email protected]

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.