AZ TECH WEEK – 2026 – Optics Valley – March 8th
AZ TECH WEEK 2026 – In Oro Valley, AZ
We Are Excited to Announce Optics Valley’s Participation in this Statewide Event
Our Objectives of Innovators Unleashed
This competition isn’t about chasing prize money; it’s about building founders who can win long after the awards are handed out. The fundamental objective is skill and mindset development: the capabilities that drive execution, attract co-founders and early employees, unlock partnerships, and position a venture for fundraising.
Through the program, founders actively de-risk their startups by pressure-testing assumptions, sharpening their story, and building forward momentum. Whether you’re validating an idea, reaching for product-market fit, or preparing to scale, this competition delivers lasting value that compounds throughout the founder journey.
For Founders
Founders apply to Innovators Unleashed to:
- Learn how to effectively tell their story from the perspective of their customer without industry and internal jargon
- Build an investor pitch deck that speaks to investors
- This is a pitch deck they can grow with while using it as a guide for funders, partners, and customer pitches
- Pitch their idea to experienced VCs and Angels
- Gain visibility across the global audience participating in the AZ Tech Week
- Join a founder cohort that remains supported long after the event ends
For many founders, Innovators Unleashed is the first time they publicly articulate their story and the moment their company starts to feel real.
Tech Startup Founders Wishing to Participate
- Will participate in an application process – The application will go live on Tuesday, February 3rd at 11:59 pm.
- Deadline for applications is February 25th at 11:59 pm.
- A semi-final competition will take place on March 27th.
For Community
But this event is about more than founders.
Southern Arizona’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and the Optics Valley tech hub are one of the region’s best-kept secrets. World-class talent is quietly building enabling technologies across optics, photonics, space, defense, health, and advanced manufacturing, often without the visibility, capital, or partnerships they deserve. That must change.
Innovators Unleashed puts that talent on a public stage and brings investors, executives, government leaders, and ecosystem builders into the same room early, before opportunity is missed.
This is where:
- Investors see a signal before the crowd
- Executives spot future partners and talent
- Public leaders see economic development in action
- Ecosystem builders help turn isolation into momentum
Showing up matters. Not as a spectator but as someone helping surface what Southern Arizona has been building all along and how we can strengthen and accelerate it.
Innovators Unleashed exists to turn a secret into a signal and to shape what comes next.
Reserve Your Spot – Event Tickets
Details and Logistics for Founders
We anticipate approximately 60 tech startups will apply to participate in the pitch competition. To maximize visibility and learning opportunities for participating teams, most applicants will compete in the Semifinal Pitch Competition on March 27. Applications are open to startups across three stages of the entrepreneurial journey. Each stage will be evaluated using a stage-appropriate scoring rubric to ensure fair and relevant assessment.
Eligibility to Participate and Rules
- Self-select only one of the stages listed (If necessary – we will give you a chance to change stage during the first workshop.)
- You must be headquartered in Arizona
- You have less than $1.5 million in sales during 2025
- You have raised less than $1.5 million in funding
- You will be asked to include your pitch deck with this application. Your pitch deck will serve as your business plan for scoring your submission. (Please don’t include any information on intellectual property within the deck. Also, refrain from disclosing highly proprietary sensitive information. This information will be shared with judges for each of the stages of the competition and Startup Zones personnel.)
- The startup presenter must participate in all workshops. (In-person and for the full session – no exceptions.)
- Presenters missing a workshop, or part of a workshop, will not advance to the next round. (Please block the time on your calendar from now)
- Applications will not be accepted after the deadline of February 25, 2026, at 11:59 pm. No exceptions.
Startups That Can Apply
Idea to Validation Stage Startups
Startups that have started developing their strategy around their prototype or MVP. These teams have designed a solution and completed early research but must continue customer discovery and experimentation to validate product-market fit and business model viability.
Launch Stage Startups
Startups that have begun shaping their strategy around a prototype or MVP. These teams are early-stage and actively engaged in customer discovery and experimentation to launch MVP or prototype and start the journey towards product–market fit. Their business model assumptions have been validated. The team is experimenting with their go-to-market strategy and working on pro forma financials.
Growth Stage Startups
Startups that have demonstrated early product–market fit with their MVP or prototype, at minimum, have launched a product. The team is established, has active users, and is iterating based on real-world feedback. Their go-to-market strategies have been established and launched. The team is growing and developing advanced pro forma financials to support scaling decisions.
Prizes & Opportunities
- The top five teams advance to the Final Pitch Competition on April 8th.
- An additional 15 teams will participate in the Demo Day Expo on April 8th.
- All teams will participate in storytelling and pitching workshops. If investors are not investing in you and/or if they tell you, “I don’t get what you do,” this will be an invaluable opportunity.
- You get a scholarship to the Startup Zones’ AGOGE Accelerator – 3-month program.
- Additional prizes (TBD during the semifinal) – Funding and in-kind services.
More Details Will be Provided During the Application Process…
Tech Startup Founders Wishing to Participate Mark Your Calendars
- Applications Open: February 3, 2026, at 11:59 pm
- Application Deadline: February 25, 2026, at 11:59 pm
- Semifinalists will be notified by: March 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm
- Training & Mentor Sessions (all in person) *:
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21
- March 27 (Semifinal Pitches)
*Office hours (in person or virtual) for mentor support will be made available for those who need extra help.
Finals – April 8 at 5:00 pm
