Applications are now open for the 2026 WomanUp & Pitch Business Plan and Pitch Competition, organized by Michigan Women Forward. The competition aims to support women who want to start or expand a for-profit business in Michigan.
For the 2026 cycle, five separate competitions will be held: Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Bay City Region, and a Statewide Food Competition. Each event will feature ten entrepreneurs split into two categories. The Idea Phase/Startup Business category is for businesses operating for less than three years with revenue under $150,000. The Established/Growth Business category includes businesses that have been running for at least three years or have revenue above $150,000.
Finalists in each category will receive guidance from coaches and mentors to help them develop their business plans and pitches. In the Statewide Food Competition, participants will submit pre-recorded pitches and provide food samples at an in-person event attended by guests, industry leaders, investors, and judges. For the other four competitions, finalists will present their pitches live online before a panel of judges as well as viewers and investors.
Eligibility criteria require that businesses must be based in Michigan, operate as a for-profit entity, and be at least 51% woman-owned. Those who participated in previous WomanUp & Pitch competitions but did not win prize money can apply again after waiting one year. Businesses involved in cannabis, weapons, or adult entertainment are not eligible. Employees of Consumers Energy or Huntington Bank cannot participate.
Applications opened on August 21, 2025. Interested applicants must submit their applications by September 19, 2025.
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