Invest Southwest’s Venture Madness Announces 2018 Finalists and Conference Speakers

Invest Southwest, in partnership with theArizona Commerce Authority,  today announced the final list of companies scheduled to present at the2018 Venture Madness Conference. Formatting for the annual conference has changed for this year resulting in a new, one-day format of a live pitch competition from companies representing four categories: Saas Launch, SaaS Scale, Hardware Tech and Deep Tech. One winner from each category will receive a $10,000 cash prize for their business and a chance to take home an additional $10,000 grand prize.

The one day conference will include  keynotes from Rei Carvalho, Founder and CEO of Emailage, Jerry Coleman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of OfferPad and Todd Davis, former CEO of LifeLock. The conference will kick off with a networking reception on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, with the pitch competition taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 at Galvanize Phoenix.

“We are excited for the caliber of talent and innovation represented in our finalists this year,” said Nate Mortensen, Invest Southwest’s 2018 chair. “There are a lot of new faces in the competition including more representation from surrounding states – more than any previous year. The formatting change will be a refreshing pace for attendees while also making it a more accessible event for investors both locally and on a national level.”

The 2018 Finalists include:

Deep Tech

Blue Matador, Inc., Utah

Codelucida, Inc., Arizona

Dentavations, Utah

I.Me.Mine, Arizona

Reglagene, Arizona

Seek, Utah

Hardware Tech

Emagine Solutions Technology, Arizona

Hydronalix, Arizona

Hygiea, Inc., California

OTOjOY, Arizona

Somatic Labs, Arizona

Swift Coat, Arizona

SaaS Launch

Hivemetric, Arizona

JANIIS, Utah

LoyalStream, Arizona

NewLAW Technologies, Arizona

Persosa, Arizona

VIBEcx, Utah

Translucent, Utah

SaaS Scale
NetChain Squared, LLC, Arizona
Attribytes, Inc., Arizona
Cheddar Up, Colorado
Fullbay, Arizona
Gyde & Seek, Utah
Life365, Arizona
Naya Energy LLC, Arizona
SimpleWAN, Arizona

Finalists in will pitch live in concurrent competitions with a winner selected in each category. The winners will then go on to present a second time with an overall Venture Madness Champion crowned at the close of the conference. Categories and criteria for this year’s competition can be foundhere.

To register or learn more about the event please visit theVenture Madness website. Event sponsorships are still available, please contact contactus@investsouthwest.org for details.

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About Invest Southwest

Invest Southwest is the premier organization for connecting investors with the best and brightest ventures in the region. In addition to providing valuable information on topics important to the investment community, Invest Southwest offers year-round opportunities for investors to connect with emerging growth companies. Its signature event,Venture Madness, is a unique competition presented in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority. Venture Madness pits thoroughly vetted, emerging startups against each other in a competition to crown the champion of champions. VisitInvestSouthwest.org for more information.