PHOENIX, AZ (September 9, 2026) – The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced it is accepting applications for the 2026 Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC), one of the nation’s largest business plan competitions. For the second year in a row, the Fall 2026 cohort will focus on Software as a Service (SaaS) startups, with judging support and partnership from top investors in Arizona. The application window will run from Monday, September 14, to Monday, September 28. 

The AIC consists of three judging rounds where companies receive constructive feedback on their applications generated from the rigorous online evaluation and scoring process. The 25 semifinalists selected from the applicant pool will pitch their startups in front of prominent venture capitalists (VCs) and partners, who will serve as judges for the AIC. The judges include a few former AIC awardees and leaders from PHX FWD, PHX Angels, PHX Ventures, AZ Venture Capital Inc., CopperSky Capital, Plug and Play, The Camelback and Monsoon VC.  

After the semifinalist round, the judges will select 15 finalists to participate in virtual interviews, and once all judging rounds are complete, the judges will select five companies as Fall 2026 AIC awardees in November 2026. The AIC awardees will be paired with program partners, PHX FWD and PHX Angels to work towards growing as a founder and raising additional capital. 

“As Arizona’s software and AI sector continues to grow, and after seeing all of the incredible startups during last year’s competition, we’re excited to support more SaaS startups for this year’s Arizona Innovation Challenge,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We’re grateful to our Arizona venture capitalist partners for their collaboration and look forward to learning about the innovations taking place across our state and the exceptional startups in this year’s competition.” 

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, September 14 until Monday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. MST. Applicants can submit applications HERE. 

The ACA will host a virtual application support workshop on September 10 at 2:00 p.m. MST to provide guidance and tips for a successful application. Learn more and register HERE.  

 

Background 
The ACA launched the Arizona Innovation Challenge launched in 2011 as a way to identify and accelerate support for Arizona’s most promising startups. Since then,156 AIC awardees have been selected from over 3,000 applicants, representing a combined portfolio value of more than $6 billion.  

AIC awardees include sectors such as SaaS, IT and software, bio and life sciences, cleantech and renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Previous awardees include notable startups such as Botco.ai, CampusLogic, Paradox, GT Medical Technologies, MiiHealth, and more. 

 

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.