Governor issues call for applications for a statewide startup pitch competition

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that applications are officially open for PitchMI, a statewide shark tank style pitch competition.

Michigan’s Growth Office will invest $100,000 in one innovative solution that transforms the way Michiganders get from point A to point B safely, affordably and efficiently.

PitchMI is a commitment by the state to spur entrepreneurial problem solving, connect innovators with capital and create a ripple effect to accelerate more innovation.

“Building a more prosperous future for Michigan means supporting and investing in innovators and entrepreneurs. Earlier this year, I announced three new actions to invest in culture, capital and creativity to grow Michigan’s economy,” said Whitmer. “PitchMI will unleash Michigan’s innovative spirit, strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem, create good paying jobs, and spur new ideas on the future of mobility. I can’t wait to see all the creative ideas and look forward to the competition in October.”

The PitchMI competition is scheduled to take place Thursday, Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. during the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s inaugural MI Future Mobility Conference at Newlab in Detroit.

Applicants for PitchMI must be available to participate in-person. PitchMI is open to pre-seed, seed, Series A, and Series B companies with 51% of their employees residing in the State of Michigan. Solutions should be demonstration ready with working prototypes.  

Earlier this year, the governor announced that Ben Marchionna’s appointment as Michigan’s first Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer.

He oversees and directs the holistic development, growth and sustainability of the rapidly growing Michigan innovation economy, ensuring entrepreneurs have a voice in state government.

“I'm thrilled that MEDC's Entrepreneurship and Innovation team is a partner on this bold initiative that underscores our state's commitment to investing in innovators and their cutting-edge solutions. We are simultaneously driving economic growth and creating pathways for transformative ideas that will shape the future of mobility and beyond,” said Ben Marchionna, MEDC Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer. “This competition will build on our work to empower innovators to tackle real-world challenges, building a stronger, more connected Michigan, and sparking the next wave of globally impactful solutions."

PitchMI ensures momentum on the Growing Michigan Together Council’s strategy to establish Michigan as the innovation hub of the Midwest and America’s scale up state. Michigan is number one in the nation for concentration of engineers and is a top state for patents. Identifying and addressing gaps in the innovation ecosystem will help retain and attract talent, scale companies and create high-paying jobs per the Council’s report.

The deadline to apply for PitchMI is Monday, Sept. 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To apply, visit: growingmichigan.org/opportunities.

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