Detroit City Wire

The State of Michigan has announced a startup pitch competition, PitchMI, aimed at fostering entrepreneurial innovation and connecting innovators with capital. Applications are open until Monday, September 16.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that applications for PitchMI are officially open. The competition will see Michigan’s Growth Office invest $100,000 in one innovative solution designed to improve transportation within the state. This initiative is part of the state's broader effort to support entrepreneurial problem-solving and stimulate economic growth.

“Building a more prosperous future for Michigan means supporting and investing in innovators and entrepreneurs," said Governor 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."

The PitchMI competition will take place on Thursday, October 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 must be available to participate in person and should have demonstration-ready solutions with working prototypes.

Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe emphasized the importance of visibility for entrepreneurs: “This competition offers our entrepreneurs a stage to share their ideas with the world and demonstrate yet again that Michigan is at the cutting edge of innovation.”

Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer appointed Ben Marchionna as Michigan’s first Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer to oversee the development of the state's innovation economy. “This competition will build on our work to empower innovators to tackle real-world challenges,” said Marchionna.

PitchMI aligns with the Growing Michigan Together Council's strategy to establish Michigan as an innovation hub. The state boasts a high concentration of engineers and is a top state for patents.

Applications for PitchMI close on Monday, September 16 at 11:59 p.m. More information can be found at growingmichigan.org/opportunities.