Gov. Whitmer Announces Winner of Inaugural PitchMI Competition and New Initiatives to Develop Talent Pipeline, Support Emerging Companies

• Civilized Cycles has been announced as the winner of the inaugural PitchMI competition and will receive a $100,000 award to design and manufacture ultra-light electric vehicles • Changing Lanes, a new program will enable auto workers to transition their careers into the growing advanced mobility sector by working with or founding startups • The Michigander Scholars program will provide new opportunities for emerging mobility technology companies to attract and retain top talent

DETROIT, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) at the inaugural Mobility Conference to announce the winner of the inaugural PitchMI competition, a Shark Tank style contest. She also announced two new initiatives, Changing Lanes and an expansion of the Michigander Scholars Program, to develop Michigan’s talent pipeline and foster innovation.

“Today’s Mobility Conference was a celebration of the collaboration, innovation, and talent investments that are driving the future of mobility forward right here in Michigan,” said Gov. Whitmer. “I was proud to announce the winner of our first-ever PitchMI competition, which I first unveiled at the Mackinac Policy Conference earlier this year. We announced a new initiative to connect auto workers with new opportunities building electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, or mobility services. And we expanded the Michigander Scholars Program, which connects talented young engineering graduates with opportunities in emerging mobility companies. With our strong partners in the Office of Future Mobility, we are positioning ourselves to support a community of innovators who want to build the of mobility right here in Michigan. Let’s keep getting it done.”

PitchMI

Governor Whitmer announced PitchMI at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference. At the Mobility Conference, four startups took the stage to present their ideas in the Shark Tank-style competition. The governor closed out the competition by announcing Civilized Cycles as the winner and presented them with a $100,000 investment from the Michigan Growth Office.

Civilized Cycles, based out of Detroit, Michigan, designs and manufactures ultra-light electric vehicles. Their flagship product, the Semi-Trike, offers the cargo capacity of a van at a fraction of the cost. This alternative transportation method is a more affordable, practical and sustainable alternative for moving large amounts of cargo short distances.

“Mobility innovation is critical to the state’s growth, both in terms of opportunities for our workforce and in enabling the movement of people and goods across our great state. PitchMI serves as a way 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. “I’d like to congratulate Civilized Cycles on their win, all finalists who presented their innovative solutions today, and all the exciting companies that applied. Choosing to ‘make it in Michigan’ by participating in the PitchMI competition is a testament to the state’s continued leadership in the mobility sector and further proof of our commitment to making sure the future begins right here in Michigan.”

PitchMI is a commitment by the state to spur entrepreneurial problem solving, connect innovators with capital and create a ripple effect to accelerate more innovation. This year’s inaugural competition focused on generating solutions that transform the way Michiganders get from point A to point B safely, affordably and efficiently, and received a total of 49 applications.

The panel of four volunteer judges who scored each solution during the competition include: Allison Murdock, Mission Driven Investments Director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Melissa Butler, CEO and Founder of The Lip Bar; Ben Handzo, Founder of SetPiece and Dakota Porter, Co-founder of Action Glow. Each solution 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.

“I'm absolutely thrilled that our team has been recognized with this prestigious award. Winning PitchMI is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved,” said Marc Liu, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Civilized Cycles. “This funding will be instrumental in accelerating our mission to revolutionize urban cargo transportation. We're eager to scale our operations in Michigan and make a positive impact on cities nationwide and beyond.”

The following companies also competed at PitchMI:

• Boaz Bikes, based out of Detroit, Michigan, is revolutionizing the micromobility industry with its innovative electric scooters and cutting-edge technology. By offering a unique flexible subscription model, Boaz Bikes gives users affordable access to safe, seated scooters for free rides and convenient scooter delivery right to their doorsteps.
• GEKOT Robotics, based out of Southfield, Michigan, is a technology company specializing in active safety solutions for light vehicles such as e-scooters, e-bikes and golf carts. Their rideGuardian technology helps to mitigate injuries and reckless behaviors by intervening before an incident occurs.
• Voltaic Marine, based out of Southfield, Michigan, is a company designing and manufacturing electric boats focused on decarbonizing the marine industry with advanced vessels, energy solutions, and advanced manufacturing without compromising performance. The first model, the Aluminum Electric Watersports boat, is built to prove an 8-hour run-time in the demanding water sports category.

The winner of the competition will also receive a package of complementary corporate, intellectual property, and employment legal services from Miller Canfield, Michigan’s oldest law firm and a leader in the mobility space, as part of the firm’s commitment to supporting local innovators and entrepreneurs in building a more prosperous future for Michigan.

Changing Lanes

The new Changing Lanes program will leverage resources available within the state’s wide array of entrepreneurship channels to create a talent pipeline that will foster job creation and innovations by bridging the startup and automotive ecosystems. Auto workers will be provided with a roadmap and tools including training programs, access to accelerators and funding channels, as well as personalized support to launch or join EV, autonomous transportation, or mobility services startups.

Key pillars of this program include:

• Bridging the gap between two currently separate professional ecosystems by growing awareness and hosting cross-sector events.
• Offering tailored entrepreneurship training focused on the mobility sector.
• Facilitating partnerships with industry leaders, research institutions, and accelerators.
• Focusing on key areas such as EV development, autonomous technology, shared mobility services, and clean transportation innovations.

“With the automotive industry undergoing rapid changes, layoffs are impacting thousands of skilled workers. This program will leverage Michigan’s existing resources and entrepreneurship programs across the state to create a pipeline enabling displaced workers to pivot into the growing advanced mobility sector,” said Justine Johnson, Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer. “Through this entrepreneurial initiative, Michigan can empower auto workers in transition to become leaders in the mobility sector, sparking global competitiveness through mobility innovation.”

Michigander Scholars

New opportunities within the Michigander Scholars program, launched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Talent Solutions division, will enable emerging mobility companies to retain tech and engineering students in Michigan by offering networking opportunities, behind-the-scenes industry experience, and scholarships in the EV, mobility, and semiconductor sectors.

“Since the Michigander Scholars program’s launch in 2023, more than 1,000 students at participating Michigan universities have participated in this program, and 268 have received scholarships for pursuing internships and full-time employment with leading employers in these sectors,” said Kerry Ebersole Singh, MEDC Executive Vice President & Chief Talent Solutions and Engagement Officer. “This new opportunity for emerging mobility companies to participate as employer partners in this program will broaden the opportunities for the incredible talent at Michigan universities. It will provide more opportunities for graduates to stay in-state and support Michigan businesses to grow Michigan’s leading mobility industry.”

Participating students can receive up to $10,000 in scholarships for completing an internship or accepting a full-time offer and committing to stay in Michigan for at least 12 months. This scholarship opportunity will utilize $1 million in funding through a partnership with OFME, launching now through June 2026.

In piloting this new opportunity, participating higher education institutions will research, recommend and coordinate with active companies in Michigan’s mobility industry to participate in the program, with the expectation that at least 100 scholarships will be awarded over the next two years. Participating institutions include Kettering University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Michigan-Flint, University of Michigan-Dearborn and Wayne State University.

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.