Several small businesses from around southwest Michigan will compete for big dollars at the third annual Emerge Innovation Hub Pitch Night next week.
Emerge Innovation Hub Director Ambie Bell tells us more than $47,000 in micro grants will be awarded to businesses that impress the judges in a Shark Tank-like competition. The businesses compete in two categories — Emerging Businesses and Accelerating Businesses.
“There will be three judges,” Bell said. “Two are previous winners. They will present exactly what their business does, how they are looking to scale, and we will have three winners in each category.”
Bell says the businesses will make their pitches, and then the judges will decide who gets which prizes. The top prize in the Accelerating Business Awards will be $20,000 and the top prize in the Emerging Business Awards will be $7,500. There are also second and third place prizes in each category.
The program is supported by Whirlpool and Cornerstone Alliance.
Pitch Night will be Thursday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m. at The GhostLight Theatre in Benton Harbor. The public is welcome to attend and see some entrepreneurs sell their dream projects.
