Arizona is a leading location for testing, launching and scaling new business ideas. With policies that support emerging technologies and encourage corporate partnership, the state has a growing ecosystem of global companies, startups and skilled talent.
Best Cities for Entrepreneurs
Scottsdale
CoworkingCafe, 2024
State for Technology & Innovation Manufacturing Employment
Lightcast, 2024
Most Innovative States
Consumer Technology Association, 2024
Best City for Gen Z
Tucson
Commercial Cafe, 2024
State for Small Business Growth
Wallet Hub, 2025
State for Fastest-Growing Projected Tech Job Growth
CompTIA, 2023
Best State to Start a Business
Wallet Hub, 2025
STARTUP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS
The Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), one of the largest business plan competitions in the U.S., helps early-stage ventures grow by promoting innovation and technology in Arizona. All applicants receive feedback on their business plans from seasoned judges. Semifinalists join Venture Raise, a twelve-week hybrid accelerator preparing startups for funding. Ten finalists are awarded $100,000 and enter Venture Scale, a six-month program with personalized support and one-on-one mentorship from ACA Entrepreneurs-in-Residence.
Arizona Innovation Challenge Arizona Innovation Challenge
The Arizona Commerce Authority’s Venture Start, Venture Raise and Venture Scale were developed to support startups who are ready to take their business to the next level. To participate in either Venture Raise or Venture Scale, startups must apply to the Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). Venture Start is a virtual introduction to the Arizona's entrepreneurial ecosystem tailored to the needs of early-stage startups. Venture Start also hosts delegations to showcase Arizona's resources and talent, establish connections and support the relocation to startups to the state.
Venture Programs Venture Programs
Plug and Play accelerateAZ, a program of the Arizona Commerce Authority, was established to connect startups to corporations and develop pilots that provide innovative solutions for corporate teams and allow a founder to test their emerging technology. As a steadfast commitment to grow on the state’s startup ecosystem, Plug and Play accelerateAZ has launched two initiatives: the accelerateAZ Manufacturing program and the accelerateAZ Sustainability program.
Plug and Play accelerateAZ Plug and Play accelerateAZThe Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) competitive programs fund startups and small businesses across technology sectors to stimulate technological innovation.
SBIR & STTR Resource Center SBIR & STTR Resource Center
The Arizona Commerce Authority's Small Business Checklist is a free interactive tool designed to guide in-state and out-of-state startups and small businesses needing licensing information. The checklist also includes contact information for statewide resources and assistance to accelerate business growth.
Small Business Checklist Small Business Checklist
The Small Business Academy equips small businesses across the state with the knowledge to scale their business. The Arizona Commerce Authority works with experienced and successful business owners to share their insights and strategies with entrepreneurs and SMBs. These courses are often out of reach and the Academy aims to provide the resources and close the knowledge gap completely free of charge.
Small Business Academy Small Business AcademyThe Arizona Commerce Authority is proud to offer opportunities for investors to connect with companies of all sizes and stages. This includes the ACA's investor platforms or through innovative ACA-led partnerships such as AZ Venture Capital Inc. (AVC) and Plug and Play. Contact the ACA to learn more.
The Arizona Venture Alliance (AVA) will work to promote Arizona’s startup and investor ecosystem, exponentially increase funding for Arizona startups and grow deal flow for investors both inside and outside Arizona.
Arizona’s longest-running venture capital startup conference, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority. The annual one-of-a-kind competition pits the most promising early-stage firms against one another in a live, pitch-style event, attracting the region’s most active investors looking to grow their investment portfolios.
Instant access to startup resources including incubators and accelerators, coworking spaces, university resources and more.
Find tax credits, grants, start up competitions, bonds, training and mentorship and more.
VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAMS
The Arizona Commerce Authority has partnered with non-profit AZ Venture Capital Inc. (AVC) to provide two venture capital programs. The Arizona Venture Co-Invest Program—AVC Ignite is designed to make direct equity investments in innovative seed- and early-stage businesses in targeted sectors alongside institutional/venture capital firms, established angel capital associations, corporate VCs and established accelerators and incubators. The Arizona Multi-Fund Venture Capital Program—AVC Limited Partner is designed to make equity investments in established venture capital firms to attract new capital in innovative Arizona-based businesses.
Ecosystem of Innovative Support
Arizona's dynamic community of innovators are leading the charge to make Arizona a top state for entrepreneurial vitality.
PHOENIX, AZ (April 3, 2025) — The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), in partnership with Venture Madness, announced three winners for the 2025 Venture Madness Conference. Arizona’s longest-running pitch competition, Venture Madness by Invest Southwest features early stage and emerging growth companies and offers participants exclusive access to the region’s most active, accredited angel investors and venture capital firms. At the event held on April 3 in Tempe, companies competed in head-to-head pitches. This year’s competition featured 16 finalists selected from a pool of 125 applications.
READ MORE about Arizona Commerce Authority Announces Winners For 2025 Venture Madness»PHOENIX, AZ (December 16, 2024) – Today, roughly two dozen investors, founders, and economic development and nonprofit leaders came together to launch a new coalition dedicated to advancing Arizona’s startup ecosystem. The Arizona Venture Alliance (AVA) will work to promote Arizona’s startup and investor ecosystem, exponentially increase funding for Arizona startups, and grow deal flow for investors both inside and outside Arizona. At a charter signing event held at the Arizona Commerce Authority, founding members of the AVA expressed their commitment to making Arizona the No. 1 state in the nation for startups and investors.
READ MORE about Arizona Startup Leaders Form Arizona Venture Alliance»PHOENIX, AZ (December 2, 2024) — The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced today 10 awardees have been selected for the 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). The AIC is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by helping early-stage ventures scale. The 10 companies will be added to the Arizona Innovation Challenge portfolio. The 2024 AIC awardees will participate in Venture Scale, Arizona’s flagship accelerator program for the state’s most promising startups. Venture Scale will provide a customized accelerator experience to directly support specific scaling needs of the startups.
READ MORE about Arizona Commerce Authority Announces 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge Awardees»