Northern Michigan Startup Week

By: Josh Sloat

Big Ideas Happening in Northern Michigan

Next week is officially startup week in Northern Michigan!! Northern Michigan Startup Week is a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the growing startup ecosystem in our backyard. The events and activities are open to everyone – students and adults. Have an idea you want to explore, but not sure where to start? Need to make some critical connections to get your startup dream off the ground? Just want to get in on the action of building something new? If so, this incredible week is one not to be missed. 

TCNewTech University Showdown

One of the many events we're the most excited about is the return of the TCNewTech Pitch Event! This is such a vital function for any thriving innovation ecosystem, so we couldn't be more excited for its triumphant return or more proud to be one of the event's sponsors. Dr. Ashley Sloat will have the honor of presenting the audience award at the Tuesday night event. 

The startup week pitch event will focus on the next generation of innovation leaders in Michigan, featuring Michigan students with innovative business ideas. Both idea-stage entrepreneurs and student-owned early-stage startups from universities across the state were invited to participate in the competition. The participating students will present their ideas and compete for cash prizes. A panel of expert judges will determine the best and most innovative idea, and audience members will also vote for their favorite.

• Grand prize: $5000 cash prize.
• Second prize: $2000 cash prize.
• Audience favorite: $500 cash prize, made possible by Aurora Patents

Startup Week Schedule

This community-wide celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Northern Michigan will take place in Traverse City from April 22-25. The exciting event lineup includes:

• Startup Crawl. Open to all (21+), hop aboard a startup bus and get a first-hand tour of the exciting innovations happening at local startups around town.
• Northwestern Michigan STEM-Posium. Student project showcase and star student and educator awards.
• Northern Michigan’s Rural Health Landscape. Insights into the latest developments in Northern Michigan Health Innovation Hubs, followed by a targeted networking opportunity aimed at establishing intentional partnerships among higher education and community stakeholders to address rural health priorities. 
• CMU Mobile Health Central Clinic. Throughout the school day, the CMU Mobile Health Clinic will meet with instructors and students, conduct hearing screenings for participating classes, and provide general education about Audiology and the various health services the clinic can provide throughout the region. 
• TCNewTech University Showdown. A fun and energizing pitch competition featuring Michigan students with innovative business ideas.
• From Concept to Capital: Fueling HealthTech Startups and Innovative Enterprises. A forward-thinking discussion that explores the burgeoning growth of the life sciences and healthtech sectors, alongside broader opportunities for startups and investors in Northern Michigan. Presented by Northern Michigan Angels.
• 20Fathoms Launch Awards & Celebration. 20Fathoms will be presenting awards to local startup and innovation community champions, individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the success of our region's entrepreneurship community. 
• The Office of Possibilities (OOPs) Innovation Network. Come hear how OOPs and NMC support innovation throughout the region from higher education to start-ups and everything in between.
• Shifting Mindsets: Extending Health Spans Through Innovation. Four panelists will explore innovative solutions and strategies focusing on extending the health span for Northern Michigan's shifting health demographic. 

Learn more and register