Founders must apply through a standardized online portal to be considered for one of the group's periodic member meetings.
Application Portal: ATI Application via Dealum
Key Criterion: Startups must demonstrate a "scalable" business model—companies with low capital requirements and high potential for rapid growth are prioritized.
Eligibility
Sectors: Strong focus on IT, SaaS, and Life Sciences (medical devices, diagnostics, and biotech). They generally avoid retail, real estate, and professional services.
Geography: Primarily targets companies in Arizona and the Southwest U.S..
Capital Ask: Typically companies seeking between $250,000 and $2,000,000.
Process
Online Application: Founders submit their pitch deck and business details.
Screening: A committee reviews applications to select a shortlist of 4–6 companies.
Screening Presentation: Shortlisted founders pitch to a small screening committee for evaluation.
Member Dinner/Meeting: 2–3 finalists are invited to pitch to the full membership (approximately 100+ investors).
Due Diligence: If there is sufficient interest, a due diligence team of 3–5 members conducts a deep-dive review over 4–8 weeks.
Investment: Individual members make independent decisions to commit capital, which is typically aggregated into a single LLC for the startup's cap table.
What an Applicant can Obtain
Capital: Aggregated investment from a network of seasoned investors.
Syndication: ATI often syndicates with other regional angel groups (like Desert Angels) to help founders fill larger rounds.
Expertise: Direct access to members who are former CEOs, engineers, and industry specialists.
Welcome to Spark XYZ
Applications for Arizona Tech Investors are open. We'll get you started after you sign up.
