Fulcher also serves as President and CEO of The Idea Gardener LLC and has over 30 years of management experience with startups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. He is an angel investor and has been active with the Venture Madness community for more than ten years, previously serving on the marketing committee, selection committee, as a judge, and as Mentor Chair.
“Venture Madness represents the importance of investor and entrepreneurial activity in Arizona. It’s exciting to serve in a leadership role in the community providing a showcase for the best and brightest startups and emerging growth companies in the region,” said Fulcher.
In addition to Fulcher’s appointment, Karen Katzorke, former Executive Director of Venture Madness, has been named President & CEO. “I am eager to further the mission of connecting investors with startup and emerging growth entrepreneurs in Arizona,” said Katzorke. “It’s time to level up the incredible foundation of our tech ecosystem by driving investor activity and innovation to new heights.”
The 2024 Venture Madness Board of Directors includes:
- Tom Fulcher, The Idea Gardener, LLC (Board Chair)
- Karen Katzorke, Venture Madness President / CEO
- Ben Brockwell, AZ-VC
- Louise Hardman, ASU InvestU
- Mark Moeremans, The Journey Venture Studios
- Hamid Shojaee, Savvy Trader
- Chardon Stuart, Osborn Maledon
- Sandra Watson, AZ Commerce Authority
Venture Madness will host its 33rd year as Arizona’s premier venture capital conference and pitch competition April 2-3, 2025. The annual Venture Madness Conference, in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority, selects 16-24 companies to present on stage in front of a live audience of more than 300 investors, entrepreneurs and services professionals. The application window opens on October 17, 2024, and closes at 3 p.m. on December 18, 2024. Companies that have presented since the inception of Venture Madness have raised more than $1B in funding.
