Million dollar Michigan business plan competition now open

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is an international business plan competition designed to highlight Michigan as a robust and vibrant venue for innovation and business opportunity. The competition will fuel innovation-based business growth by uncovering the best and brightest new business concepts from local and global entrepreneurs, exposing those opportunities to potential investment capital and fostering their growth within Michigan. The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition targets mid-to-late seed-stage businesses with potential to generate an immediate impact on Michigan’s economy, as well as student concepts with longer-term business viability. With more than $1 million in cash winnings, plus in-kind awards of services, staffing and software, the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is the world’s largest business plan competition.

The competition is led by the newly formed Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan (composed of four of the region’s key business accelerators: Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator, and TechTown), the New Economy Initiative, Business Leaders for Michigan, and the University Research Corridor (Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University). These groups have aligned their efforts to bolster and advance Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a variety of collaborative initiatives, including the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. The mission is focused on job creation, increased capital and statewide economic and resource development.

The competition kicked off on August 24, 2010, and will culminate with a gala Award Brunch in Ann Arbor, Michigan on December 11, 2010. The event concludes with the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University “Big Chill” hockey game at Michigan stadium. The day includes a pre-game Award brunch for all judges and participants. All information pertaining to the competition, including applications and eligibility criteria is located on the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition website.