In the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Innovation Challenge 7 Arizona-based software companies and 6 bio and life sciences startups have been listed among the 25 semifinalists.

The event will award $1.5 million in this round to the most qualified, innovative startups.

Winners will be awarded $250,000 each to develop their business and to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in the state.

“Arizona has become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship – and programs like this help foster and retain talent right here in Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Congratulations and best of luck to the semifinalists. I can’t wait to see their final pitches, and watch them grow in Arizona.”

About 150 applications were received for this round from start-up companies across the state and one from California, which is looking to relocate to Arizona.

sJudges have assessed each company’s application based on a criteria that looked the technological potential, marketing strategy, quality of the management team and economic impact.

The 25 semifinalists are:

I.Attribytes Inc., IT - Software, Chandler

II.BMSeed, Bio & Life Sciences, Phoenix

III.ClickIPO, IT - Software, Scottsdale

IV.Codelucida, IT - Hardware, Tucson

V.CuraNexus, IT - Software, Phoenix

VI.Cut Carbon, Advanced Manufacturing, San Diego, California

VII.Dataware Ventures LLC, IT - Software, Tucson

VIII.Digital Bioanalytics Inc., Bio & Life Sciences, Phoenix

IX.Electric Torque Machines Inc., Advanced Manufacturing, Flagstaff

X.EpiSys Science Inc., Aerospace/Defense, Tucson

XI.Hourbands Corp., Bio & Life Sciences, Tempe

XII.Hydronalix, Aerospace/Defense, Green Valley

XIII.MWI Laboratories LLC, Aerospace/Defense, Tempe

XIV.Naya Energy, Cleantech/Renewable Energy, Phoenix

XV.Paradigm Diagnostics, Bio & Life Sciences, Phoenix

XVI.PerioEndoscopy LLC, Bio & Life Sciences, Scottsdale

XVII.Photocentric Inc., Advanced Manufacturing, Phoenix

XVIII.Prospectify Inc., IT - Software, Tempe

XIX.Recruiting.ai, IT - Software, Scottsdale

XX.Resonea Inc, Bio & Life Sciences, Scottsdale

XXI.SalesTalk Technologies LLC, IT - Software, Scottsdale

XXII.The TouchPoint Solution, IT - Hardware, Scottsdale

XXIII.Titan Industries, Advanced Manufacturing, Tempe

XXIV.VB Cosmetics Inc., Advanced Materials, Chandler

XXV.Zero Mass Water Inc., Cleantech/Renewable Energy, Scottsdale

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