PitchMI offers Michigan startups chance to win up to $1.25 million

Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a previous PitchMI event. Businesses can apply for the upcoming competition until Aug. 10.

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.

Businesses can apply at msufoundation.org/pitchmi/.