MSU Research Foundation to Lead $4M Statewide Expansion of PitchMI Startup Competition

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 2, 2025) — The MSU Research Foundation has secured $4 million to transform PitchMI into one of the most significant founder-focused startup competitions in the nation. Backed by a $3 million award from the Michigan Innovation Fund, administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and additional support from the Foundation’s new Michigan Rise Evergreen Fund, the program will span eight regions across Michigan over two years.

First launched in 2024 as a single $100,000 mobility challenge, PitchMI is now reimagined to award eight $250,000 prizes, with winners advancing to the statewide finals for a chance at an additional $1 million grand prize. By the end of 2026, eight Michigan-based startups will share $4 million in direct investment, with two statewide winners each securing a $1.25 million total prize – among the largest startup competition awards in the nation.

“Michigan dreamers and doers innovate new ideas and drive the future,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “PitchMI empowers and unleashes Michigan entrepreneurs by giving them a statewide stage to showcase their ideas and connect with investors and partners. Governor Whitmer and I are proud of our work to support innovators through the Innovation Fund, R&D tax credit, and PitchMI. This kind of bold investment in homegrown innovation is how we prove Michigan is the best place to live, work, and build the future.”

• Sept. 29: Grand Rapids – Healthcare and Life Sciences
• Sept. 30: Traverse City – CleanTech and Outdoor Innovation
• Oct. 1: Detroit – Mobility, Defense, and Advanced Manufacturing
• Oct. 3: Ann Arbor – AI and Software

While hosted in specific regions, each competition will be open to startups across Michigan, ensuring founders from the whole state can apply for and travel to any regional event. Winners will advance to the statewide finals, held in April 2026 during 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week in East Lansing. The competition will return in 2026 with a new set of regional events, anticipated to include other innovation hubs such as Marquette and Kalamazoo. Final locations will be announced next year.

“Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is strongest when we work together,” said David Washburn, CEO of the MSU Research Foundation. “We’re grateful to the MEDC and MSF Board for this investment, which strengthens our joint commitment to advancing Michigan’s innovation economy. By expanding access to capital and mentorship through statewide competitions, we’re helping to launch the next generation of high-impact startups.”

“The Michigan Innovation Fund is a launching point for a much broader commitment by the State of Michigan to support entrepreneurship and innovation, and this need was underscored during the inaugural ‘PitchMI’ competition led by the Michigan Growth Office within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), which approved funds to the MSU Research Foundation for a statewide competition. “Michigan has long been home to innovators and dreamers, and the MSF Board is proud to provide another ‘deposit’ into helping more Michigan start-ups reach commercial viability in the state that inspired their creation so that more people can ‘Make It in Michigan.’”

With support from the Michigan Innovation Fund coalition, the MSU Research Foundation’s new Michigan Rise Evergreen Fund, and early co-investors, PitchMI shows how Michigan’s universities, foundations, investors, and regional partners can expand opportunities for founders statewide. Additional partners will be announced in the coming weeks.

Applications for the 2025 regional competitions are open at msufoundation.org/PitchMI.