Narrated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, this PitchMI 2026 highlight reel captures the culmination of a statewide competition that brought four top startups to Lansing to compete for a $1 million investment—reflecting the scale, momentum, and coordination behind Michigan’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Built on frontline experience, Authsnap helps healthcare providers manage and appeal denied claims—turning a manual, resource-heavy process into something scalable.
(Jan.-Mar. 2026) Four new startups joined the Foundation’s incubator facilities in East Lansing and Grand Rapids, expanding activity in artificial intelligence, software, and advanced imaging technologies.
Adrenaline Interactive of Ann Arbor, a startup specializing in dynamic in-game advertising, was named the winner of the 2026 competition which saw 375 applicants from around the state.
Ahead of the PitchMI Championship, founders work with stylist Arturo Garcia to explore how personal style connects to confidence, presence, and brand identity. They experiment with looks that reflect who they are, how they show up on stage, and how first impressions shape the pitch.
Ahead of the PitchMI Championship, founders work with branding expert Hien Lam to refine how they present their companies—focusing on clarity, connection, and the story behind the pitch. The session pushes them to think more intentionally about how their ideas come across and how to communicate them on stage.
Built for technology transfer teams, FirstIgnite helps universities and laboratories connect research discoveries with companies ready to develop them.
Ahead of the PitchMI Championship, founders step outside their comfort zones in an improv workshop with Marc Evan Jackson, actor and co-founder of the Detroit Creativity Project, building confidence, adaptability, and communication skills that matter just as much as the pitch itself.
In this episode, we talk with Parker Boundy, Co-Founder and CEO of General Orbit and a PitchMI Championship finalist, about advancing navigation and sensing technology for space and Earth-based applications.
In this episode, we talk with Lindsay A. Joseph, Co-Founder and CEO of BedConnect and a PitchMI Championship finalist, about improving how hospitals connect patients with post-acute care providers after discharge.
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