Founders will compete across four Michigan cities this fall, backed by two weeks of startup development and coaching.

The Mobility Summit brings together the people advancing Michigan’s mobility ecosystem—from research and startups to industry, investment, and public policy. Throughout the day, participants will explore emerging technologies, industry partnerships, advanced manufacturing, and the supply chains driving the next generation of mobility.

Introducing the 2026–2027 PitchMI competitions, where Michigan startups compete in four industry-focused semifinal events across the state for $250,000 in prize funding and a chance to advance to the statewide PitchMI Championship for an additional $1 million.

The MSU Research Foundation is building a connected innovation ecosystem that helps researchers and entrepreneurs across Michigan access the resources, relationships, and capital needed to turn ideas into real-world impact.

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.

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.

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.