This is a past event. Registration is closed. View other Venture Madness by Invest Southwest events.
The Venture Madness Conference, is scheduled for April 2-3, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. The Venture Madness Conference is Arizona's longest-standing venture capital and pitch conference where the region's most promising ventures live-pitch their way to accredited investors at this live event. Companies selected to present from each track receive prize money.
For more information visit venturemadness.com
Cancellations after Wednesday, March 19, 2025 will be charged a $50 registration cancellation fee.
TO LEARN MORE, VIEW OUR FAQs
Where can I get more information on the venue?
Click here to view more information about the Mountain America Stadium.
The Venture Madness Conference will be held in the San Tan Ford Club (2nd Fl) and Lagunitas Lookout (3rd Fl)
Where can I get an overnight room?
The Westin Tempe is offering a 15% discount to Venture Madness guests. Limited availability. Must book by 12/31/24.
What is the best parking option?
Parking is available in Lot 59, located just north of the Mountain America Stadium. Click here to access the parking map.
Where is everything being held?
Check In, Registration & General Session: SanTan Ford Club, 2nd Floor
Expo Hall and Breaks: Lagunitas Lookout, 3rd Floor
Need a ride?
HUM blends the ease of on-demand rideshare with private chauffeuring, cutting rideshare expenses by 20% while offering the comfort and reliability of a private driver. Save an extra $5 to/from Venture Madness 2025 with the promo in-app.
To apply Venture Madness promo:
- Open the app & input your destination
- Select the Offers & Discounts icon (located above vehicle type)
- Select "VM2025" and enjoy the ride!
App store links:
What is the refund policy?
Cancellations after Wednesday, March 19, 2025 will be charged a $50 registration cancellation fee.
No refunds after March 26, 2025.
What is the dress code?
The dress code is business attire and/or business casual.
Where can I view the schedule of events?
Click on the "Agenda" tab to view the schedule of events.
Connect with other conference attendees and get the latest updates by downloading the "My Glue Up" app.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Questions? Email contactus@venturemadness.com
Agenda
5
00PM
-
7
00PM
Welcome Reception & Expo
Lagunitas Lookout
8
00AM
-
8
45AM
Check In + Expo & Networking Breakfast
Check In & Registration: SanTan Ford Club, 2nd Floor
Expo & Breakfast: Lagunitas Lookout, 3rd Floor
8
45AM
-
9
10AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Tom Fulcher9
10AM
-
10
10AM
Company Presentations-Session 1
Hamid ShojaeeCompany Presentations:
Sense Neuro Diagnostics
HemaSense
TrialNAV
BMSEED
Moderator: Hamid Shojaee, Savvy Trader
10
10AM
-
10
30AM
Break & Expo
Lagunitas Lookout
Please network and visit our exhibitors!
10
30AM
-
12
00PM
Company Presentations - Session 2
Mark MoeremansCompany Presentations:
Rezliant
VelocitiPM
BlockChain Unmasked
Valence Intelligence Systems
Business Genie
HOA.com
Moderator: Mark Moeremans, VM Board
12
00PM
-
12
30PM
Keynote Speaker
Gregory Shepard12
30PM
-
1
30PM
Networking Lunch & Expo
Lagunitas Lookout
1
30PM
-
2
20PM
Company Presentations-Session 3
Benjamin BrockwellCompany Presentations:
Ink’d Greetings
EnKoat
Parent Projects
Moderator: Ben Brockwell, AZ-VC
2
20PM
-
2
40PM
Break + Expo
Lagunitas Lookout
2
40PM
-
3
30PM
Company Presentations-Session 4
Louise HardmanCompany Presentations:
Metfora Diagnostics
Precision Epigenomics
Calviri
Moderator: Louise Hardman, ASU InvestU
3
30PM
-
3
50PM
Break + Expo
Lagunitas Lookout
3
50PM
-
5
00PM
Company Presentations - Growth Session
Tom FulcherCompany Presentations:
Frites Street
NUE
Aventyn
MiiCare
Moderator: Tom Fulcher, The Idea Gardener & VM Chair 2025
5
00PM
-
7
00PM
Closing Reception + Winner Announcements
Tom FulcherWelcome & Opening Remarks
Speakers
Tom Fulcher
The Idea GardenerTom Fulcher, President and founder of The Idea Gardener LLC has over 30 years of management experience with start-ups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Tom served as the EIR for the Chandler Innovations Incubator and ACA programs and teaches the Pitch Power series. He is an angel investor, leads business seminars and workshops and is active in many roles within the angel community in Arizona. He serves as Mentor Chair and a selection panelist for Venture Madness and the Arizona Innovation Challenge and as both a panelist, and mentor Arizona Commerce Authority and its Venture Ready program. Tom has been involved in various roles with AAIC, Invest Southwest, and Venture Madness for over a decade. His business development and strategy consulting organization has a successful track record of helping entrepreneurs in the business development areas of business planning, modeling, branding, marketing strategy and preparation for capital formation. He is also a Certified Global Business Professional and a Certified Small Business Counselor. He holds a BS in Management from Arizona State University and an MBA from The University of Denver.
Company Presentations-Session 1
Company Presentations: Sense Neuro Diagnostics HemaSense TrialNAV BMSEED Moderator: Hamid Shojaee, Savvy Trader
Speakers
Hamid Shojaee
Savvy TraderHamid Shojaee is a local veteran entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder of Axosoft, a software development tools company, and Pure Chat, a live chat software company. Both companies were acquired in 2020, at which time Hamid shifted his focus more towards his passion for startups and investing.
As an investor, Hamid has been involved with numerous Arizona tech startups, including being an angel seed investor to companies like CampusLogic, Prenda and Equipifi to name a few. He is also a board member of the StartupAZ Foundation and Venture Madness.
Company Presentations - Session 2
Company Presentations: Rezliant VelocitiPM BlockChain Unmasked Valence Intelligence Systems Business Genie HOA.com Moderator: Mark Moeremans, VM Board
Speakers
Mark Moeremans
Venture Madness BoardMark has pursued a path supporting entrepreneurship as a way to lift others out of poverty while celebrating innovation and creating sustainable economies. Mark has worked with startups across four continents and consulted for Fortune 100 companies like Pfizer, Nike, and EMC.
After graduating from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business with an MBA in 2017, Mark joined a private equity firm and moved to Arizona to lead one of their portfolio companies.
Before joining the Journey team, Mark worked at the Arizona Commerce Authority where he supported entrepreneurs and startups across the state by leading programs like the Arizona Innovation Challenge and the Venture Ready Accelerator.
Keynote Speaker
Speakers
Gregory Shepard
Founder & CEO of StartupScienceGregory Shepard is a visionary entrepreneur and business leader who has built and sold twelve companies across BioTech, TransitTech, AdTech, and MarTech. In 2016, he sold two of his businesses in a landmark $925 million cross-brand deal, earning four private equity awards.
In 2024, he published The Startup Lifecycle with Penguin Random House, receiving acclaim from global leaders and institutions. He has contributed over 100 articles to major publications, hosted Startup Science on Forbes Radio, and co-founded the Fulbright Entrepreneurship Initiative.
A sought-after speaker, Shepard has delivered keynotes at TEDx, Ivy League universities, and top conferences worldwide. His personal journey—from overcoming dyslexia, neurodivergence, and poverty to becoming a serial entrepreneur—adds depth to his inspiring message.
Committed to “altruistic capitalism,” he integrates social and environmental responsibility into business. His journey proves that with passion, resilience, and a willingness to challenge convention, extraordinary success is within reach.
Company Presentations-Session 3
Company Presentations: Ink’d Greetings EnKoat Parent Projects Moderator: Ben Brockwell, AZ-VC
Speakers
Benjamin Brockwell
Partner at AZ-VCBenjamin Brockwell is a Partner and founding member of AZ-VC, launching a $110M Arizona-centric venture fund in 2022. His prior experience includes consulting and contracting engagements with corporate accelerators, private equity groups, and B2B sales. Benjamin’s entrepreneurial journey started during undergrad, where he built an investment resale business.
Benjamin currently sits on the boards of Uplinq and Right-Hand Cybersecurity. He is a Partner with SVP Arizona and serves as a mentor for Venture Madness. In 2021, he was appointed to the Arizona State Senate Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Study Committee.
He received his MBA from Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business and was elected as the Global President of the Graduate Business Forum (GBF) to represent the top 70 business schools in the world.
Company Presentations-Session 4
Company Presentations: Metfora Diagnostics Precision Epigenomics Calviri Moderator: Louise Hardman, ASU InvestU
Speakers
Louise Hardman
Director, ASU InvestU of ASU Enterprise PartnersLouise Hardman leads ASU InvestU, a network that connects angel and institutional investors with Seed to Series A startups emanating from Arizona State University’s global ecosystem. The network has facilitated $4.6M of investment into 20 portfolio companies since 2019. Previously, Louise led strategic marketing and business development at EnPower, a Lithium-ion battery startup. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, bringing a unique blend of technical and business expertise to her role sourcing and evaluating early-stage startups.
Company Presentations - Growth Session
Company Presentations: Frites Street NUE Aventyn MiiCare Moderator: Tom Fulcher, The Idea Gardener & VM Chair 2025
Speakers
Tom Fulcher
The Idea GardenerTom Fulcher, President and founder of The Idea Gardener LLC has over 30 years of management experience with start-ups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Tom served as the EIR for the Chandler Innovations Incubator and ACA programs and teaches the Pitch Power series. He is an angel investor, leads business seminars and workshops and is active in many roles within the angel community in Arizona. He serves as Mentor Chair and a selection panelist for Venture Madness and the Arizona Innovation Challenge and as both a panelist, and mentor Arizona Commerce Authority and its Venture Ready program. Tom has been involved in various roles with AAIC, Invest Southwest, and Venture Madness for over a decade. His business development and strategy consulting organization has a successful track record of helping entrepreneurs in the business development areas of business planning, modeling, branding, marketing strategy and preparation for capital formation. He is also a Certified Global Business Professional and a Certified Small Business Counselor. He holds a BS in Management from Arizona State University and an MBA from The University of Denver.
Closing Reception + Winner Announcements
Speakers
Tom Fulcher
The Idea GardenerTom Fulcher, President and founder of The Idea Gardener LLC has over 30 years of management experience with start-ups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Tom served as the EIR for the Chandler Innovations Incubator and ACA programs and teaches the Pitch Power series. He is an angel investor, leads business seminars and workshops and is active in many roles within the angel community in Arizona. He serves as Mentor Chair and a selection panelist for Venture Madness and the Arizona Innovation Challenge and as both a panelist, and mentor Arizona Commerce Authority and its Venture Ready program. Tom has been involved in various roles with AAIC, Invest Southwest, and Venture Madness for over a decade. His business development and strategy consulting organization has a successful track record of helping entrepreneurs in the business development areas of business planning, modeling, branding, marketing strategy and preparation for capital formation. He is also a Certified Global Business Professional and a Certified Small Business Counselor. He holds a BS in Management from Arizona State University and an MBA from The University of Denver.
Speakers
Gregory Shepard is a visionary entrepreneur and business leader who has built and sold twelve companies across BioTech, TransitTech, AdTech, and MarTech. In 2016, he sold two of his businesses in a landmark $925 million cross-brand deal, earning four private equity awards.
In 2024, he published The Startup Lifecycle with Penguin Random House, receiving acclaim from global leaders and institutions. He has contributed over 100 articles to major publications, hosted Startup Science on Forbes Radio, and co-founded the Fulbright Entrepreneurship Initiative.
A sought-after speaker, Shepard has delivered keynotes at TEDx, Ivy League universities, and top conferences worldwide. His personal journey—from overcoming dyslexia, neurodivergence, and poverty to becoming a serial entrepreneur—adds depth to his inspiring message.
Committed to “altruistic capitalism,” he integrates social and environmental responsibility into business. His journey proves that with passion, resilience, and a willingness to challenge convention, extraordinary success is within reach.
Tom Fulcher, President and founder of The Idea Gardener LLC has over 30 years of management experience with start-ups, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Tom served as the EIR for the Chandler Innovations Incubator and ACA programs and teaches the Pitch Power series. He is an angel investor, leads business seminars and workshops and is active in many roles within the angel community in Arizona. He serves as Mentor Chair and a selection panelist for Venture Madness and the Arizona Innovation Challenge and as both a panelist, and mentor Arizona Commerce Authority and its Venture Ready program. Tom has been involved in various roles with AAIC, Invest Southwest, and Venture Madness for over a decade. His business development and strategy consulting organization has a successful track record of helping entrepreneurs in the business development areas of business planning, modeling, branding, marketing strategy and preparation for capital formation. He is also a Certified Global Business Professional and a Certified Small Business Counselor. He holds a BS in Management from Arizona State University and an MBA from The University of Denver.
Benjamin Brockwell is a Partner and founding member of AZ-VC, launching a $110M Arizona-centric venture fund in 2022. His prior experience includes consulting and contracting engagements with corporate accelerators, private equity groups, and B2B sales. Benjamin’s entrepreneurial journey started during undergrad, where he built an investment resale business.
Benjamin currently sits on the boards of Uplinq and Right-Hand Cybersecurity. He is a Partner with SVP Arizona and serves as a mentor for Venture Madness. In 2021, he was appointed to the Arizona State Senate Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Study Committee.
He received his MBA from Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business and was elected as the Global President of the Graduate Business Forum (GBF) to represent the top 70 business schools in the world.
Louise
Hardman
Director, ASU InvestU of ASU Enterprise Partners
Louise Hardman leads ASU InvestU, a network that connects angel and institutional investors with Seed to Series A startups emanating from Arizona State University’s global ecosystem. The network has facilitated $4.6M of investment into 20 portfolio companies since 2019. Previously, Louise led strategic marketing and business development at EnPower, a Lithium-ion battery startup. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, bringing a unique blend of technical and business expertise to her role sourcing and evaluating early-stage startups.
Mark
Moeremans
Venture Madness Board
Mark has pursued a path supporting entrepreneurship as a way to lift others out of poverty while celebrating innovation and creating sustainable economies. Mark has worked with startups across four continents and consulted for Fortune 100 companies like Pfizer, Nike, and EMC.
After graduating from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business with an MBA in 2017, Mark joined a private equity firm and moved to Arizona to lead one of their portfolio companies.
Before joining the Journey team, Mark worked at the Arizona Commerce Authority where he supported entrepreneurs and startups across the state by leading programs like the Arizona Innovation Challenge and the Venture Ready Accelerator.
Hamid Shojaee is a local veteran entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder of Axosoft, a software development tools company, and Pure Chat, a live chat software company. Both companies were acquired in 2020, at which time Hamid shifted his focus more towards his passion for startups and investing.
As an investor, Hamid has been involved with numerous Arizona tech startups, including being an angel seed investor to companies like CampusLogic, Prenda and Equipifi to name a few. He is also a board member of the StartupAZ Foundation and Venture Madness.
Sponsors and Partners
Diamond Sponsor
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: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.
The ACA is overseen by a prestigious public-private sector board of directors bringing together industry, academia and government. Chaired by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, the board is comprised of the state’s most prominent private-sector business leaders, university and community college presidents, and elected officials.
The ACA’s executive management team drives the organization’s day-to-day operations, ensuring it maintains focus on the recruitment of quality companies and jobs to the state of Arizona. This team brings together the best and brightest in economic development, management and communications.
Keynote Sponsor
Be the first to purchase Gregory Shepard's book, "The Startup Lifecycle: The Definitive Guide to Building a Startup from Idea to Exit" Grab it here: https://shorturl.at/tFOZQ
Startup Science.io
Empowering Startups and Supporting Accelerator Programs
Transforming rejections into future opportunities with free education and resources for founders, and enhanced engagement solutions for SAPs.
Silver Sponsors
AZ-VC
Where vision and capital intersect.
AZ-VC was built out of necessity to fill the void that existed in terms of capital sources for post-revenue companies looking to expand beyond seed-level financing. Without local financing options, these companies relied on venture capitalists outside of Arizona in places like Silicon Valley, Salt Lake City, Denver and elsewhere.
Fundraising is always hard – it’s even harder when you are from out-of-town.
In 2020, invisionAZ and its Chairman Jack Selby, made an announcement to lead the charge to create the largest venture capital fund in the state’s history. Anchored with $25M from Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, AZ-VC (formerly invisionAZ Fund) began to take shape.
In collaboration with prominent members of the Arizona community, this historic milestone has been achieved, demonstrating the inertia and conviction behind Arizona’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is committed to helping Arizonans get healthier faster and stay healthier longer. With a focus on connecting people with the care they need, BCBSAZ offers health insurance and related services to more than 1.9 million customers. Through advanced clinical programs and community outreach, BCBSAZ is inspiring health in Arizona. BCBSAZ, a non-profit company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 2,500+ people in its Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson offices.
https://m.azblue.com/individualsandfamilies
Osborn Maledon
Osborn Maledon is a leading Arizona law firm providing litigation, business and general counsel solutions for our clients.
https://www.omlaw.com/
Silicon Valley Bank, a Division of First Citizens Bank
SVB is the financial partner of the innovation economy, helping individuals, investors and the world’s most innovative companies achieve their ambitious goals. SVB’s businesses - Silicon Valley Bank, SVB Capital, SVB Private and SVB Securities - together offer the services that dynamic and fast-growing clients require as they grow, including commercial banking, venture investing, wealth planning and investment banking. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, SVB operates in centers of innovation around the world. Learn more at svb.com/global.
https://venturemadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Svb-Office-Version-Final-1.mp4Bronze Sponsors
AC3 Corporate Counsel, PLLC
Fractional corporate counsel for
select high-growth technology companies
and venture capital financings
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
Our mission is to attract and grow quality businesses, and advocate for Greater Phoenix’s competitiveness.
Established in 1989, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) actively works to attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for the competitiveness of Greater Phoenix. As the regional economic development organization, GPEC works with 22 member communities, Maricopa County and more than 190 private investors to accomplish its mission, and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate. Consistently ranked as a top national economic development organization, GPEC’s approach to connectivity extends beyond the fabric of the community. Known as The Connected Place, Greater Phoenix is in a relentless pursuit of innovative and entrepreneurial technology-focused companies that are committed to changing the game. As a result, over the past 32 years GPEC has fueled the regional economy by helping more than 895 companies, creating more than 163,000 jobs and $33.4 billion in capital investment.
Coworking Partner
Investor Partners
Community Partners
HUM
HUM blends the ease of on-demand rideshare with private chauffeuring, cutting rideshare expenses by 20% while offering the comfort and reliability of a private driver. Save an extra $5 to/from Venture Madness 2025 with the promo in-app.
To apply Venture Madness promo:
Open the app & input your destination
Select the Offers & Discounts icon (located above vehicle type)
Select "VM2025" and enjoy the ride!
App store links:
App Store (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hum-rideshare/id1620354755
Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=production.hum.customer&hl=en_US
Exhibitors
Session 1
BMSEED LLC
BMSEED LLC
BMSEED develops assays for pre-clinical research to improve the success rate of clinical trials.
HemaSense
HemaSense
HemaSense is developing a patient monitoring device to detect bleeding complications following catheter based surgeries.
TrialNAV LLC
TrialNAV LLC
TrialNAV OASIS is the first software that automates protocol acuity and staffing workload for clinical trial programs
Sense Neuro Diagnostics
Sense Neuro Diagnostics
Rapid non-invasive detection of TBI and stroke subtype with continuous brain injury monitoring
Session 2
BlockchainUnmasked
BlockchainUnmasked
BlockchainUnmasked builds automated crypto fraud investigation tools for victims, Law Enforcement, and Compliance Depts.
VelocitiPM
VelocitiPM
Building an AI powered product management platform for SW companies to manage the entire product development process
Rezliant
Rezliant
Rezliant identifies the most critical security vulnerabilities in software platforms and generates fixes in real-time.
Valence Intelligence Systems
Valence Intelligence Systems
Valence resolves the need of government agencies to locate signals from space with high accuracy using one satellite.
Business Genie
Business Genie
We empower small service businesses to schedule appointments create professional estimates and invoice from a mobile app
HOA.com
HOA.com
HOA.com is creating "A Better Way To HOA" for the 53% of American homeowners who live in homeowner associations
Session 3
Parent Projects
Parent Projects
Parent Projects™: Ai-assisted digital marketplace supporting families who care for aging loved ones.
EnKoat
EnKoat
EnKoat's IntelliKoat™ System reduces building owners operating expenses by over 50% & extends roof life by 10+ years
Ink'd Greetings
Ink'd Greetings
Ink'd Greetings has disrupted the archaic $330B greeting and gift card market using our automated kiosks.
Session 4
Precision Epigenomics Inc.
Precision Epigenomics Inc.
Precision Epigenomics provides innovative molecular diagnostic tests to identify and care for patients with cancer.
Calviri, inc
Calviri, inc
Calviri Animal Health is developing the diagnostics and vaccines to end deaths of pets from cancer
Metfora Diagnostics
Metfora Diagnostics
Our product is an AI enabled blood test that detects COPD, ILD, pulmonary hypertension and asthma in their early stages.
Growth Session
Frites Street
Frites Street
Frites Street is a premium B2B frozen French fry company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in Belgian-style, twice-fried fries crafted for chefs and restaurants. Our fries are non-GMO, kosher, gluten-free, and vegan, made with just four high-quality ingredients. We focus on hand-cut quality without the hassle, helping chefs deliver top-shelf fries consistently with a crispy exterior and pillowy center.
MiiCare
New Use Energy (NUE)
New Use Energy (NUE)
New Use Energy (NUE) makes Professional Grade Portable Battery+Solar Systems that serve as a clean, quiet and safer alternative to gas or diesel generators.
Aventyn
Aventyn
Vitalbeat clinically evidenced digital biomarkers improve cardio renal metabolic disease management and health outcomes
Exhibitor
RDI
RDI
Using its novel patented technology, RDI builds superior radiation measurement instrumentation to help fight cancer.
Sponsor
AZ Commerce Authority
AZ 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.
White Point Digital
White Point Digital
White Point Digital is a full-service digital marketing firm focused on supporting the marketing needs of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), offering services like website design, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO).
Community
Connect with 265 people attending this event
Tickets
Non-Member Entrepreneur Ticket (Less than $1M annual rev)
$349
Buy TicketThe Entrepreneur Ticket (Less than $1M annual rev) is for entrepreneurs with less than $1M in annual revenue.
This ticket includes:
- General Admission to the 2025 Venture Madness Conference
- Venture Madness Community Member Access
- Access to Year-Round Programs and Events
(must register for these events with your community member access)