Tucson, Ariz, (March 5, 2025) — IdeaFunding, co-led by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), has played a significant role in the entrepreneurial landscape for over twenty-seven years and is Southern Arizona’s largest and longest-running pitch competition. This year’s competition received the largest number of applications in the event's history from companies all over Arizona. Over the last two months, 130 early-stage startup companies have received training and participated in several rounds of company pitch presentations to make it to the final competition at IdeaFunding during the TENWEST Impact Festival, presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Twenty-five Arizona-based startup companies have advanced and been selected as finalists, five of whom have been designated to compete on the main stage of IdeaFunding on March 27, 2025, presented by Vantage West and HUSTL. Participants in IdeaFunding have undergone extensive training and refined their pitch through two competitive rounds, benefiting from the rigorous mentorship provided by UACI.
Finalists in IdeaFunding will pitch their startups live in front of a live audience at the Rialto Theatre during the TENWEST Festival, competing for over $50,000 in prizes. Twenty-five startups, all from Arizona—including some from the University of Arizona—are divided into four industry verticals: tech, consumer, community building, and fashion. Each category winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize.
Of the twenty-five finalists, five companies were selected to pitch on IdeaFunding’s mainstage, competing for a grand prize of $15,000, supported by Vantage West, and a second-place prize of $2,500 in cash, both winning a year of incubation programming and space at UACI valued at an additional $10,000.
The five main stage finalists include:
- Ethereal Co
Ethereal Co is the creator of the world’s first sunrise alarm blackout curtain, The SunrAIse. This patented design uses lights integrated into a window covering to help night shift workers sync their circadian rhythm to their schedule with a personal sunrise no matter the time of day. - BreatheEV
BreatheEV is committed to pioneering the future of electric vehicle charging. They provide fully managed EV charging solutions with a reservation system that is more accessible and efficient for residential and commercial properties. - Legion Platforms
Legion Platforms is a web-based company creating 3D online games that are accessible to users with slow computers, poor internet, and devices that can’t handle large downloads. Their in-house developers use cutting-edge technology to push the boundaries in the gaming industry. - Suncliffe
Suncliffe offers an Arizona gin that highlights native botanicals and plant species. Their gin is vapor-infused in custom copper stills and non-chill filtered, resulting in a unique Southwest twist on the classic spirit. - Wrapperoo
Wrapperoo has developed a patented t-shirt hair-drying towel that doubles as a water, heat, and spill-resistant styling cape. This product saves consumers time and stress by gently drying wet hair with less frizz and breakage.
Companies selected to advance as finalists were selected based on merit by local community leaders who served as unbiased judges. The judges include:
- Danny Knee, Executive Director, Community Investment Corporation
- Gina Catalano, Founder, Venture Solutions
- Kameron Norwood, Cushman & Wakefield|PICOR
Tucson is invited to watch the finalists pitch on March 27, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Rialto Theatre as part of IdeaFunding 2025. The IdeaFunding Pitch Competition is part of the larger Entrepreneurship Day of TENWEST that includes educational breakout sessions for entrepreneurs focused on funding, mindset, growth strategies, and more. The Arizona Commerce Authority presents TENWEST with additional support from Pima Community College and Arizona Arts Live. Vantage West and HUSTL present the Entrepreneurship Day with additional support by Rio Nuevo UA McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, Tech Launch Arizona, UA Venture Capital, Thomas R. Brown Foundations, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Hecker & Pew PLLC, and Osborn Maledon,
For more information and to purchase tickets to attend TENWEST and IdeaFunding visit: www.tenwest.com.