$100K
Pitch Competition
The Big Bet: Detroit's $100K Legacy Pitch
After all this time, someone is betting big — very big — on Detroit’s next genius. We believe in the brilliance that lives in this city, often unseen and too often unfunded. The Big Bet is more than just a pitch competition — it’s a cinematic, soul-shaking campaign to find those with fire, vision, and unshakable grit.
This is the moment that says: Detroit, the stage is yours. With $100,000 on the line, this isn’t just a prize — it’s a stake in your legacy. The Big Bet captures the joy, sweat, and tears of building something from nothing, telling the real, raw stories of the next truth seekers, waymakers, and legacy builders across Detroit and the entire state of Michigan.
Finals at the 2025 Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit ON Sept 27TH
DEADLINE JULy 31st
We’re looking for founders who are solving problems that directly improve the quality of life for Detroiters or underserved Michigan residents.
What Founders Submit
To apply, founders must
Upload a 2-minute video answering: “What problem are you solving, and why now?”
1
Submit a 10-slide pitch deck
2
Submit a Use of Funds plan
3
Provide 1 key traction metric (revenue, users, waitlist, etc.)
4
Judging Criteria
Judges will reflect the full genius of our ecosystem
University Thought Leaders
Industry Angels & VCs
Community Organizers & Builders
Scored On
Problem-Solution Clarity
Traction & Market Fit
Innovation & Use of Tech/AI
Strategic Use of $100K
Founder Presence & Vision
Community & Cultural Impact
What Sets Us Apart
This isn’t YC. This isn’t MIT.
This is Detroit.
It’s pull-up pitch culture with high stakes.
It’s cinematic storytelling backed by real infrastructure.
It’s judged by those who know our communities — and believe in them.
It's not gatekept. It's grassroots-powered.
