LANSING, Mich. – On August 19, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced 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,” Whitmer said. “Earlier this year, I announced three new actions to invest in culture, capital and creativity to grow Michigan’s economy. 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, 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 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.
Gov. Whitmer announced Ben Marchionna’s appointment as Michigan’s first chief innovation ecosystem officer earlier this year. 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.
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, September 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information and to apply, visit: growingmichigan.org/opportunities
