THE BIG BET

Pitch Competition

1st Place $50,000

2nd Place $30,000

3rd Place $20,000

Genius is everywhere. Opportunity should be too.

The Big Bet isn’t just a pitch competition — It’s a national call to builders with ideas that move the needle and hearts that won’t quit. The solution must serve Michigan — but vision knows no zip code.

We back bold thinkers who believe what we believe: That doing the right thing isn’t optional. That’s where innovation begins. That there’s always a better way — and someone, somewhere, is building it. This isn’t a moment — it’s a movement. This is how you turn belief into momentum, and momentum into legacy.

The rules? Every idea. Every pitch. No exceptions. No excuses.

The stakes? A shot to shape the future — and get funded to do it.

The Big Bet starts now.

Deadline to apply is Sunday, August 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

01

Upload a 2-minute video answering: “What problem are you solving, and why now?”

02

Submit a 10-slide pitch deck

03

Submit a Use of Funds plan

04

Provide 1 key traction metric (revenue, users, waitlist, etc.)

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 funds

Founder Presence & Vision

Community & Cultural Impact

What Sets Us Apart


This is Detroit.

The Next Big Thing Starts Here.

Built for visionaries.
Fueled by bold ideas.
Backed by belief and real capital

This is where legacies begin.
Where stories shift.
Where genius meets its moment.

THREE WINNERS!

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