Arizona Business Events Bring Innovators and Investors Together

“Besides recognizing the hard work and innovation that takes place in Arizona every day, these events can have a bottom-line impact on the participating companies. Potential investors and customers will be in the audience at both events,” said Ron Schott, Executive Director of the Arizona Technology Council.

During their histories, GCOI and Invest Southwest have become recognized as the premier events in their classes.

GCOI, which has come to be known as the “Academy Awards” of Arizona’s technology sector, is the largest event of its kind in the state. Technology companies from every part of Arizona submit nominations to be recognized as innovators of the year, and individuals whose contributions to the state’s technology sector, are nominated for individual awards. The event brings more than 1200 members of Arizona’s business community together to fête technological innovation spawned in its backyard.

Fifteen southwestern-US companies were chosen in a highly competitive selection process to present their business plans to SEC-accredited investors during the two-day Invest Southwest Capital Conference. The companies will compete to secure investment capital in the $250,000 to $5 million range.

This year, SCF Arizona, which provides workers compensation insurance in the state, will invest $200,000 in one of the companies presenting at Invest Southwest. Since its inception, companies presenting at the conference have received more than a quarter of a billion investment dollars.

“Arizona routinely appears at or near the top of national rankings for the best places to do business,” said Terree Wasley, director of ASU Entrepreneurial Services and ASU Technopolis. “We have a very entrepreneurial environment in the state, and Invest Southwest strives to bring additional sources of capital to startups in the region.”

About the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation

The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation was established in 2003 by combining two technology award ceremonies: the High Tech Industry Cluster’s 17-year student awards ceremony and the Arizona Software and Internet Association’s 10-year “Celebration of Innovation.” With the addition of the Governor’s support, the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation has become the premier technology community gathering of its kind in Arizona. The inaugural Governor’s Celebration of Innovation took place in November 2003 and was a colossal success with over 1,200 in attendance. The event is hosted by both the Arizona Technology Council () and the Department of Commerce ().

For more information on the GCOI 12/6, visit .

About Invest Southwest

Invest Southwest is the Southwest’s premier capital conference. Formerly the Arizona Angel Investment Conference and the Arizona Venture Capital Conference, Invest Southwest connects the region’s promising startup and early-stage ventures with accredited investors from around the country.

ASU Technopolis () is the event’s administrative host and for the second consecutive year, The Miller Group is the conference’s title sponsor.

For more information about Invest Southwest 12/12-13, visit .