The Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), one of the largest business plan competitions in the country, is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by assisting early-stage ventures to scale. All applicants receive feedback on their business plan from experienced entrepreneurial judges.
AIC awardees receive $100,000 of non-dilutive funding and three months of customized support with an ACA-designated partner.
Fall 2026 Application
Applications for the Fall 2026 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), SaaS-focused, will open on Sept 14, 2026. Applications close on Sept 28, 2026.
All Software as a Service (SaaS) startups are welcome to apply, and judging will take place in three rounds by prominent Arizona-based venture capitalists (VCs) and partners such as PHX FWD, PHX Angels, PHX Ventures, AZ Venture Capital Inc., CopperSky Capital, Plug and Play, The Camelback, and Monsoon VC.
Learn more and apply