Business startups have until Aug. 10 to apply for the 2026-27 PitchMI competition.
Run through the Michigan State University Research Foundation, PitchMI awards funding to early-stage startups to support business growth.
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Twenty Michigan startups across multiple industries will be selected for semifinal pitch events, with the four winners each receiving $250,000 and the opportunity to participate in next spring’s final competition. One finalist will be awarded an additional $1 million.
To be eligible, businesses must have their headquarters in Michigan, been in operation for fewer than five years and have raised less than $2.5 million in total, including less than $1.5 million in the last year.
According to the MSU Research Foundation, selected startups will show strong market potential, have a clear business model and traction, and have the ability to deliver their product.
The competition is one of the country’s largest and accepts applications from anywhere in the state.
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Businesses can apply at msufoundation.org/pitchmi/.
