2026 IdeaFunding Application - Tech Startup Track

Thank you for your interest in participating in the IdeaFunding 2026 Pitch Competition, hosted by TENWEST in partnership between Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation.

This application is for the Tech Startup Track. Applicants may apply to one track ONLY. Each founder may submit only one application.

Application Requirements:

Entries that do not comply with instructions fully will not be accepted.
You will be required to describe non-sensitive information about your business plan. This information will be shared with the Startup Tucson and UACI teams in addition to our volunteer mentors and judges.
Applications due February 1st, 11:59pm AZ Time. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Notes to Review Before You Begin Your Application:

1. You will be required to upload your pitch deck as part of this application and this deck will serve as the primary evaluation tool during application review. The additional questions included in the application are designed to clarify key points, confirm eligibility, and ensure fair comparison – not to restate your entire pitch in writing.

2. To help you prepare your deck and application, we are hosting two Pitch Training & Founder Orientation sessions in January. Both sessions cover the same content. If you’re unable to attend either live session, a recording from the first session will be shared afterward with those who register. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.startuptucson.com/ideafunding2026.

3. All applicants must ensure that they or someone from their team will be available to participate in the key dates of the competition (see schedule).

To participate in IdeaFunding 2026, applicants must meet all Founder & Company Eligibility Requirements and the Track-Specific Eligibility Requirements for the track to which they apply. Eligibility is assessed at the time of application.

Question Title

* 1. Founder & Company Eligibility
To review eligibility definitions, view Rules & Eligibility document.

Ownership: I am a founder, owner, or core member of the leadership team

Location: I confirm this venture is primarily Arizona-based

Entity Type: I confirm that entity formation and business bank account must be established within 6 months of the competition for fund distribution or any prize funds will be considered forfeit

Age: I confirm at least one founding team member is 18+

Prior IdeaFunding Participation: I confirm I have not violated prior IdeaFunding participation restrictions

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* 2. Tech Startup Track Eligibility
I confirm that our company meets the following eligibility requirements:

Have no more than 10 full-time employees, including founders

Have not exceeded $1,000,000 in trailing 12-month revenue

Have raised no more than $500,000 in private capital, including equity, SAFEs, or convertible notes

Have raised no more than $1,000,000 in total cumulative funding, including private capital, non-dilutive grants, SBIR/STTR funding, loans, or other sources

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* 3. Additional Eligibility Information:
Expand on your capital eligibility and employee count above. Please include amounts and brief descriptions of any 1) private capital; 2) total cumulative funding; 3) trailing revenue and 4) current employee count. This helps us with eligibility verification.

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* 4. Early-Stage & Validation Definition
I confirm that our company is pursuing a clearly defined commercial venture (not solely a research project), and that while our company may be pre-revenue or pre-customer, can demonstrate progress toward commercialization through at least one of the following: (select all that apply)

A working prototype, MVP, or technical proof of concept

Evidence of market demand (e.g., pilots, LOIs, beta users, waitlists)

Defensible innovation, such as proprietary technology, IP strategy, or a defined regulatory pathway

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* 5. Have you received SBIR/STTR or other non-dilutive funding?

Yes

2026 IdeaFunding Application - Tech Startup Track

Question Title

* 1. Founder & Company EligibilityTo review eligibility definitions, view Rules & Eligibility document.

Question Title

* 2. Tech Startup Track EligibilityI confirm that our company meets the following eligibility requirements:

Question Title

* 3. Additional Eligibility Information: Expand on your capital eligibility and employee count above. Please include amounts and brief descriptions of any 1) private capital; 2) total cumulative funding; 3) trailing revenue and 4) current employee count. This helps us with eligibility verification.

Question Title

Question Title

* 5. Have you received SBIR/STTR or other non-dilutive funding?

* 1. Founder & Company Eligibility
To review eligibility definitions, view Rules & Eligibility document.

* 2. Tech Startup Track Eligibility
I confirm that our company meets the following eligibility requirements:

* 3. Additional Eligibility Information:
Expand on your capital eligibility and employee count above. Please include amounts and brief descriptions of any 1) private capital; 2) total cumulative funding; 3) trailing revenue and 4) current employee count. This helps us with eligibility verification.