Tucson-area startups win boost from IdeaFunding pitch contest
Summary
A startup marketing a line of kids products celebrating play and culture and a maker of spiked teas were the top winners at the 26th edition of the IdeaFunding business-pitch competition in Tucson.Berry Cultured LLC won the main-stage grand prize at IdeaFunding on Thursday night, receiving $25,000 and a one-year sponsorship with the University of Arizona Center for Innovation incubator program, which sponsored the top prize with UAVenture Capital.Berry Cultured, which markets a line of toys, gifts and other items to promote culture-based play through an online store, is led by founder Heidi Calderon of Tucson and has its main office in Phoenix.The company also won IdeaFundings $5,000 Adelante Prize, supporting diverse founders and sponsored by the Community Investment Corporation.Ray Rays Sonoran Spirit Tea, a Tucson-based maker of spiked tea drinks founded by Rachel DAcquisto, won second prize, $5,000 and a one-year sponsorship with the UACI, co-sponsored by Startup Tucson.Ray Rays also was awarded the $1,000 Tucson Foodie Prize sponsored by Tucson Foodie.IdeaFunding, part of the weeklong TenWest Impact Festival, was presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority with the UACI as funding partner.The other prize winners, all based in the Tucson area, are:In addition, four companies were each awarded $2,500 for winning pitches in vertical industry competition: Tech and bio-industry, Tempe-based Beyond Silicon; food industry, Tucson Tea; consumer products and services, Originals by Eva; and software as a service, Breathe EV.