PitchMI Startup Competition
MSU Research Foundation (with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation)
$375,000 semifinal prize; $1 million championship
A $375,000 semifinal prize and an extra $1 million championship prize for Michigan startups. The 2026-27 window closed August 10, 2026; no next window is posted.
PitchMI is a statewide pitch competition for early-stage startups headquartered in Michigan. Five companies pitch at each of four industry semifinals; each semifinal winner receives a $375,000 prize and goes on to a championship for an additional $1 million. The 2026-27 application window ran July 20 to August 10, 2026 and is closed; the championship is in April 2027. Prizes are subject to due diligence and may involve co-investors, so read the terms as investment-style money, not a plain grant.
- Funding type
- Award
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $375,000 – $1,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Only one winner per semifinal (four a year) and one champion; most applicants receive nothing.
- Deadline
- The 2026-27 window closed August 10, 2026. The next window is not posted.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- MI
Who qualifies
- Headquartered in Michigan
- Founded in 2021 or later (less than five years old)
- Less than $2.5 million in dilutive funding raised
- Less than $1.5 million in revenue over the past 12 months
- Every team member a legal US resident, physically domiciled in the US
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Not specified; prizes are described as a prize or investment
Ineligible expenses
- See official program guidance
How to apply
-
1
Wait for the next application window
The 2026-27 window closed August 10, 2026; the next dates are not posted.
~10 min
-
2
Submit the PitchMI application
Apply by the deadline under the competition terms; choose the semifinal that fits your industry.
~4 hrs
-
3
Pitch at a regional semifinal
Five companies per semifinal: a 7-minute pitch and 5 minutes of judge Q&A.
~12 hrs
-
4
Complete due diligence
Any prize is subject to legal due diligence and verification of eligibility.
~10 hrs
Judges score traction (pilots, paying customers, LOIs, data) as well as the team, so bring proof people want it. Choose the semifinal whose industry fits you best.
Deadline & timing
The timeline lists applications open July 20 and close August 10 (11:59:59 p.m. ET), semifinalists notified August 31, semifinals September 15 to October 1, championship April 2027. Window dates for the next cycle are not published.
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Required documents
- PitchMI online application
- Agreement to the competition terms and conditions
- Pitch (if selected as a semifinalist)
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Last updated November 8, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.