Michigan’s Growth Office Announces Four Finalists to Compete at PitchMI Competition

Four startups to compete in pitch competition with one winner receiving a $100,000 investment

DETROIT, Mich. – At the closing ceremony of Michigan Tech Week today, Michigan’s Growth Office announced the four finalists selected to take the stage at PitchMI, a statewide shark tank-style pitch competition slated for this fall. The finalists will have the opportunity to share their innovative ideas with the world, with the winning startup selected to receive a $100,000 investment by the Growth Office.  

The following four companies have been selected to compete. They include:  

• Civilized Cycles: Civilized Cycles designs and manufactures ultra-light electric vehicles in Detroit to replace vans and trucks with safer, cheaper and more sustainable options for commercial cargo transportation.
• Boaz Bikes: Boaz Bikes is a micromobility electric scooter with improved design and safety features for use in urban areas. The company is based out of Detroit, Michigan.
• GEKOT Robotics: GEKOT Robotics is a system of controls, software and sensors for light vehicles (bikes, mopeds, etc.) to improve safety for the rider. The company is based out of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
• Voltaic Marine: Voltaic Marine is an electric boat manufacturer with advanced propulsion and end to end solutions in Traverse City, Michigan.  

“Michiganders showed up and answered the call for applications for PitchMI. I cannot wait to enter the shark tank and hear pitches from the final four during the competition on October 24,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Ensuring that Michigan is a more prosperous place for all residents means investing in our innovators and entrepreneurs. PitchMI serves as a great way to enlist our best and brightest to help solve mobility challenges facing our state.” 

The Growth Office received 49 applications for this year’s PitchMI competition which is focused on solutions that transform the way Michiganders get from point A to point B safely, affordably and efficiently. Each application was scored on innovation, impact, technology maturity and feasibility, market potential, team competence and advancement of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and MI Future Mobility Plan among others. 

“Giving our entrepreneurs and startups a platform to tell the state, the country and the world about their innovative ideas is critical for growth. We need to amplify and support our state’s entrepreneurs and innovators while being a beacon for others to come and join us,” said Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe. “This competition serves as a great way to put a spotlight on Michigan and let everyone know – near and far – that to be on the cutting edge of innovation, they are welcome to ‘make it’ in Michigan. I’m so excited to hear the pitches and see the protypes in-person later this month.” 

The PitchMI competition is scheduled to take place Thursday, October 24 at 2:30 p.m. during the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s inaugural MI Future Mobility Conference at Newlab in Detroit.  

Michigan is number one in the nation for concentration of engineers and is a top state for patents. Identifying and addressing gaps in the innovation ecosystem will help retain and attract talent, scale companies and create high-paying jobs per the Growing Michigan Together Council’s report. PitchMI ensures momentum on the strategy to establish Michigan as the innovation hub of the Midwest and America’s scale up state. 

For more information about PitchMI, visit: www.michiganbusiness.org/pitchmi 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.