The GreenLight Business Model Competition, an early-stage pitch competition bringing together entrepreneurs and small business supporters from all over Michigan, has announced the winners of its fifth annual event. Co-created by Spartan Innovations and MSUFCU in 2013, the event connects entrepreneurs with some of Michigan’s top talent in angel and venture capital investment.
Twenty-two teams pitched their ideas to a panel of experienced judges at the most recent competition hosted by MSU’s Wharton Center on March 29. In the largest event to date, nine winners received cash prizes totaling $100,000.
This year’s awardees include:
• MEDC sponsored grand prize ($40,000): MySwimPro
• MSUFCU sponsored second prize ($25,000): VADE Nutrition
• Third prize ($10,000): Switched Source
• Fourth prize ($7,500): MTBIsense LLC
• Fifth prize ($5,000): Pretch LLC
• Sixth prize ($2,500): Parabricks Inc.
• Undergrad first place ($6,500): Kulisha
• Undergrad second place ($2,500): CarryCott
• Undergrad third place ($1,000): Stir It Up
“Every year, GreenLight draws more and more inspiring talent,” said Paul Jaques, director of student and community engagement at Spartan Innovations, GreenLight’s program sponsor. “This year we saw a record number of applications and event attendees. Michigan’s entrepreneurial roots are alive and well.”
GreenLight also recognized April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, with the inaugural Future Thinker Award.
“April is the first Future Thinker recipient because she inspired it,” Jaques said. “April began this competition, and her vision and thought leadership are vital to the Greater Lansing area’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Working to expand entrepreneurship and small business success in Michigan, the GreenLight Michigan event included winners of recent regional GreenLight events in Detroit, Flint, Port Huron and East Jordan. For a list of finalists and event sponsors, visit www.greenlightmichigan.com.
Billboard photo by John McGraw of John McGraw Photography