Past Winners
Statewide Winners
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2025 Winner
Ashley Heida, Founder
Analytical Mineset
Sahuarita, AZ -
2024 Winner
Katie Dufort, Founder
Puzzle Rides
Prescott, AZ -
2023 Winner
Tim & Ruth Ellen Elinski, Co-Founders
Pin Drop Travel Trailers
Miami, Arizona -
2022 WInner
Elaine O’Connor, Founder
Prescott Bark
Prescott, AZ -
2021 Winners
Evan and Kelly Anderson, Founders
Drinking Horn Meadery
Flagstaff, AZ -
2019 Winner
Alice Bodnar, Founder
Far Out Hiking App
Flagstaff, AZ
Crowd Favorite Winners
Sponsored by Growth Partners AZ
2022 - Ralph Millholland, Winslow, AZ
2023 - Dueker Ranch, Payson, AZ
2024 - Haus of VooDoo Reptile Sanctuary, Payson, AZ
2025 - Hometown Fresh,
St. Johns, AZ
Interviews with Past Winners
With Hosts Ruth Ellen Elinski & Scott Hathcock
Read About Last Year’s Competitors
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Sunshine Indoor Play
Kate Deparini
Lake HavasuSunshine Indoor Play is a boutique indoor playground, coffee shop, and retail space designed for families with young children. We offer a safe, welcoming environment where kids can play and parents can relax, connect, and feel supported. What sets us apart is our heart-led model, blending high-quality play, specialty coffee, curated products, and built-in community support. We host parties, offer free resources to families in need, and prioritize authentic connection.
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NeoTat
Ray Webb
Miami/Payson/GlobeIn 2004, I invented a new type of machine machine to receive medical endorsements.
with a unique Linear Drive System that was the very first tattoo
Producing clean sanitary equipment is our main goal and all our products are designed and produced in-house.
We develop and produce better products to improve industry and are currently working on another state-of-the-art machine.
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Julie and Sammy's
Annalysa and Michael Southworth
Sierra VistaJulie and Sammy’s
Sierra Vista’s best locally owned and operated ice cream parlor! We feature Thrifty hard serve ice cream and cold classics like sundaes and shakes. But we also have salty snacks and sugar and dairy free options available. You’re sure to find something for everyone at Julie and Sammy’s! -
Aerozona Farm
Marieke McArthur
QuartzsiteAerozona Farm is a groundbreaking approach to farming in the desert through Aeroponics. Aerozona Farm can be a local solution to food insecurity and rising produce prices in the desert through innovative sustainable indoor agriculture.
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Yavapai Exploration and Science of Prescott
Amanda Voss
Quad Cities
Yavapai Exploration and Science of PrescottA nonprofit inspiring K–12 students in rural Arizona to pursue STEM careers by providing access to engaging hands-on learning in science, engineering, and more.
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Hometown Fresh Farm
Michael Lindsey
St. JohnsHometown Fresh Farm is a small scale, commercial hydroponic greenhouse, servicing the White Mountains and Navajo Nation.
Growing high-quality:
Salad Mix
Head Lettuce
Culinary Herbs
Bunched Leafy GreensHydroponics requires 5% of the water and 10% of the land used for traditional farming.
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Vets Home Solutions
Brian Postma & Brad Yarbrough
La Paz/ParkerFounded by a veteran, Vets Home Solutions provides services for the home ranging from HVAC to cleaning to home repair and more. Website coming soon.
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Nouvia Snacks
Vincent Taylor
Greater MaricopaNouvia Snacks creates animal-based protein bars made with bone broth, whole eggs, grass-fed ghee, and seed-oil-free fruit—always led by the featured fruit flavor. Born from a desire to nourish my wife during pregnancy, our bars offer a unique alternative to date- or peanut butter-based options. After a successful pilot and production run, we've identified key efficiencies to reduce waste and boost output, thereby increasing profitability.
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Awakened Baked Goods
Lisa Hilchie
Superior
Awakened Baked Goods
My baked goods focus not only on limiting unhealthy ingredients linked to chronic disease, but also including ingredients that add nutritional value, such as fresh milled flour, and foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Changing my diet gave me my life back and I want to share what I've learned with others and show it's possible to eat better without sacrificing indulgence. I plan to participate in the local farmers market and partner with other businesses such as coffee shops and wellness based businesses to sell my products, as well as market on social media. -
Nexus Health
Steven Taylor and Johnathon Whitman
Graham & GreenleeNexus Health is a precision wellness platform that transforms genetic and lab data into personalized health protocols using its proprietary BioMatrix™ engine and AI-assisted tools. It delivers adaptive insights through two flagship products: BaselineONE for clinicians and Baseline+ for consumers. What it does: Nexus integrates DNA, blood biomarkers, and lifestyle inputs to generate dynamic supplement, nutrition, and lifestyle plans tailored to each user.
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Relentless Batteries
Jaime Dugan & Robert Busich
Verde ValleyOur battery is the first in the automotive market that is repairable, modular, and delivers a built in jump start function if the battery dies. We believe if the car battery were invented today, it would be our battery. We are already profitable in small scale production and will become more profitable with scale.
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Way Out West Wellness
Carrie Lane & Trynna Johnson
Wickenburg
Way Out West WellnessWay Out West Wellness is going to be a Vitality Haven. It will be the first of its kind in Wickenburg creating a powerful mind-body transformation for our clients. We will be combining Primal Question as well Brain Health coaching, Pilates Reformer training and Red Light Therapy. This addresses core emotional needs and optimizing cognitive health, building client resilience, clarity and self-awareness. The Pilates Reformer sessions enhance physical strength, alignment, and nervous system regulation. This paired with Red Light Therapy for recovery and reducing inflammation will cultivate lasting well-being from the inside out.
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Curley Coffee Roasters
Annelise Keuper
Ajo, AZCurley Coffee roasts coffee from around the world to perfection. We feature our coffee in our local cafe, and sell at local businesses and on-line.
We connect our small border town to the world coffee community. We educate as well as teach about all aspects of coffee. -
Analytical Mineset
Ashley Heida
Sahuarita, AZ
Analytical Mineset transforms raw mining data into actionable insights, helping companies optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Unlike standard reporting tools, we bridge critical data gaps and apply advanced analytics to uncover hidden opportunities. Our unique expertise in both mining and data science allows us to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions that competitors overlook. We generate revenue through feasibility studies and project-based analytics services. As mines and vendors increasingly seek data-driven decision-making, our solutions provide a clear return on investment, making Analytical Mineset a crucial partner in driving smarter, more profitable mining operations. -
Borderlandia
Alexander La Pierre
Nogales, AZ
Borderlandia is a boutique cultural organization offering immersive tours, storytelling, a digital magazine ,and education focused on the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. Our unique selling proposition is blending public history with design, creating unforgettable experiences that challenge myths and celebrate the region’s rich heritage. Unlike standard tour companies, we specialize in bilingual, research-based content grounded in local voices and historical accuracy. We're notable for making borderlands culture accessible, visual, and engaging. Profitability comes from curated tours, speaking engagements, and a growing membership, all while building a loyal community passionate about cross-cultural understanding and place-based storytelling. -
Ateleva
Whitney Slightham
Ateleva is developing a simple, non-invasive device to safely reinflate collapsed lung lobes in mechanically ventilated ICU patients—a complication affecting up to 340,000 Americans each year. Current treatments rely on system-wide ventilator pressure or invasive procedures that can worsen injury.
Ateleva’s bedside-compatible solution delivers controlled air directly to the affected lobe enabling precise reinflation without harming healthy tissue. Designed for ease of use, disposability, and compatibility with existing workflows, Ateleva addresses a critical gap in respiratory care. We will generate revenue through direct hospital sales and strategic partnerships focused on improving outcomes and reducing ICU costs.
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Old Trails RV Campground
Shari McLaws
Little Colorado CorridorNew RV campground near Holbrook, community revitalization and tourism emphasis
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Samantha Foote
Samantha Foote
Page
Summers Offshore Solutions is an upscale houseboat management company. We specialize in maintenance and repair on multi-million dollar houseboats. We work in a niche market of wealthy individuals protecting their investments and preserving their escape.
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High Entropy Security
Cristy Salanga
Flagstaff
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a foundation in digital security, using asymmetric cryptography to encrypt/decrypt data and authenticate users. While PKI has been a trusted solution, its reliance on the private key makes it vulnerable to cyber threats, including insider threats and exposed private keys. High Entropy Security has developed Zero-Trust PKI protocols combined with Zero-Knowledge Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) that allows users to generate and keep their private key secret while strengthening existing encryption standards for the post-quantum computing era. HES is engineering its technologies/licensing its extensive patent portfolio into existing products as well as developing a quantum-resistant crypto wallet.
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Bravo Solar and Wind
Walter Bia and Marissa Begay
St. Johns
At Bravo Solar and Wind, we provide top-notch inspection services to help you harness renewable energy. Our team is dedicated to delivering efficient and sustainable solutions for your wind farm or business. Join us in making a positive impact on the environment!