WomanUp & Pitch Competition
Want to make your business dream a reality? Start here! Michigan Women Forward’s WomanUp & Pitch Business Plan and Pitch Competition is a funding opportunity for Michigan women who want to start or grow an existing for-profit business.
Learn more about WomanUp & Pitch at our informational webinar on Aug. 28.
Click to register!
How It Works
There will be FIVE competitions: Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Bay City Region, and a Statewide Food Competition.
Ten female entrepreneurs will be selected to compete in each of the FIVE WomanUp & Pitch competitions. Five entrepreneurs will compete in the Idea Phase/Startup Business category (in business fewer than 3 years and revenue less than $150,000) and five entrepreneurs will compete in the Established/Growth Business category (in business for 3 years or more and/or revenue greater than $150,000).
Finalists are connected to coaches and mentors who provide professional services and expert advice to help the WomanUp & Pitch contestants create viable business plans and craft a compelling business pitch.
Finalists in the Statewide Food Competition pre-record their pitches and prepare samples of their food they serve at an in-person event attended by guests, food industry leaders/investors and our panel of judges.
Finalists of the other four WomanUp & Pitch competitions present their pitches live online before a panel of judges, online viewers, business experts and investors.
Eligibility
- Businesses must be based in Michigan, for-profit, and at least 51% woman-owned.
- Finalists who participated in a previous WomanUp & Pitch competition but did not win prize money are eligible to participate after a one-year waiting period.
- Businesses in the industries of cannabis, weapons, or adult entertainment are not eligible to participate.
- Current employees of Michigan Women Forward and any sponsors are not eligible to participate.
Important Dates
Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, Noon: 2026 WomanUp & Pitch application opens. (2-page concept paper and $20 application fee)
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, Noon-12:45 p.m.: WomanUp & Pitch Info Session + Q&A Webinar
Click here to register!
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, Noon-12:45 p.m.:
WomanUp & Pitch Info Session + Q&A Webinar
Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, Noon: 2026 WomanUp & Pitch application closes.
Week of Dec. 1, 2025: Mandatory Virtual Pitch Preparation Workshops (schedule coming soon)
Feb. 3, 2026: Southeast Michigan Virtual Pitch Competition
Feb. 10, 2026: West Michigan Virtual Pitch Competition
Feb. 17, 2026: Mid-Michigan Virtual Pitch Competition
Feb. 24, 2026: Bay City Virtual Pitch Competition
March 3, 2026: Statewide Food Competition (In Person)
Statewide Food Competition will be in person in the Southeast Michigan area. If selected, finalists agree to attend in person and provide approximately 80 food samples for attendees. Businesses competing in this competition must be licensed for food service or operate under Michigan Cottage Food law.
Prizes
Winners in both the Startup Business and Established Business categories in each of our five competitions are awarded:
First place: $10,000
Second place: $5,000
Third place: $2,500
Audience choice: $1,000
The top 50 finalists who don’t place or win the audience choice award will receive $500. We will connect our WomanUp & Pitch finalists to coaches and mentors who will provide professional services and expert advice as they create viable business plans and prepare to pitch their business to a panel of business experts and an audience of other entrepreneurs, small business owners, potential investors, and business and community leaders. The business plans, reviewed in advance of the pitch by our judges, account for 60% of the final score; the pitch accounts for 40%.
“This pitch competition didn’t just provide funds. It helped me build new skills to further my business. I highly recommend applying for the MWF WomanUp & Pitch Competition!”
Allison Jordan, Better Belly Therapies, 2024 winner
Previous WomanUp & Pitch Winners
Click on the previous WomanUp & Pitch pages below to see honorees and watch their pitches.