Date/Time
Date(s) - 26 Mar 2026
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location
Rialto Theatre
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.
Learn more at https://www.startuptucson.com/ideafunding2026
THE IDEAFUNDING MAIN STAGE SHOWCASE
March 26, 2026
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
THE RIALTO THEATRE, 318 E CONGRESS ST, TUCSON AZ
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.
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.