Michigan Good Food Fund Pitch Competition

An opportunity for Michigan-based food and farm businesses to pitch their product and company to secure a financial award from the Michigan Good Food Fund.

MGFF_Logo_CMYK

Does your food business help build healthier communities and contribute to a more connected, equitable, and sustainable food economy? If so, read on!

The Michigan Good Food Fund and its partners at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems believe food is a gateway to community health, wealth, and resiliency. That’s why we want to hear from Michigan-based food businesses like yours during the 2024 MSU Product Center’s Making it in Michigan event. The event invites food businesses to join a “business pitch” competition for a chance to win funds toward their business. 

Prize opportunity  

Effectively sharing your business pitch is crucial for success. Talking to a buyer, investor, or loan officer requires you to share your business details in a condensed way.

Michigan-based food businesses have an exciting opportunity to pitch their food product business to a live audience during a reception held at Making it in Michigan 2024. Making it in Michigan is a premier food product conference and tradeshow with a buyer-supplier matchmaking opportunity.

Three good food businesses will be selected to pitch in front of a live audience at 6 p.m. on April 23, 2024, at the Lansing Center. The recipient of the awards will be announced by a panel of judges and will receive funds and resources to invest in their business.  The prize can be used towards purchases like packaging, ingredients, equipment, real estate purchases, accounting services, web design, marketing services, or other expenses needed to support a good food business. One business will receive a technical assistance package valued at $2,500.

Awards are powered by Michigan Good Food Fund partners Lake Trust Credit Union and Fair Food Network, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

  • 1st place - $5,000
  • 2nd place - $3,000 
  • 3rd place - $2,000
  • One $2,500 technical assistance services award

Next steps to apply 

  1. Assure that you meet the mission of the Michigan Good Food Fund. Not sure after reviewing the information? Email your business details to Jamie Rahrig at rahrigj1@msu.edu.
  2. Review online resources and other food business pitches available to help you give an effective pitch (check out this resource from the MSU Product Center).
  3. Practice, practice, practice your pitch. 
  4. Complete the online application, available on February 13.
  5. When you are ready to go, record a 60-90 second video.
  6. Save your video as an MP4 (find instructions on creating an MP4 recording here).
  7. Submit through your video to Jamie Rahrig via email at rahrigj1@msu.eduor using the File Depot by Monday, March 4, 2024, 5 p.m. ET.

A judging panel of industry representatives will select three businesses to participate in the live event. Selected businesses will be notified by close of business March 29, 2024 and are expected to:  

    • Meet with the Michigan Good Food Fund team on Thursday, April 18, 2024, 12:30 p.m. to review the live session and a tech check.  
    • Present their pitch in person at Making it in Michigan in Lansing on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and technical assistance service package awardees will be announced live during the event. 

Rules & Guidelines 

  • The application will be open from February 13 – March 4, 2024. No late entries will be permitted. 
  • Video submissions and applications will be reviewed by a judging committee of professionals from the food and financing industry and the Michigan Good Food Fund team. 
  • Those who have entered the competition but were not finalists in previous years may apply in 2024.
  • Videos and applications will be scored on the following:  
    • Meeting the mission of the Michigan Good Food Fund.
    • Including mention of the why the business is needed, who buys the product, competitive advantage, financials, entrepreneur’s background, and how the award will be used.
    • The business’ impact on building healthy communities, racial equity, equitable ownership, local foods, and/or environmental sustainability.
    • How the funds will be used.
  • On March 29, the entrepreneurs selected to pitch live on April 23 will be contacted by email.
  • Funding for the awards is powered by Lake Trust Credit Union, Fair Food Network, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. 

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • center for regional food systems,
  • food spice,
  • michigan good food fund

Center for Regional Food Systems

Food System Infrastructure, Planning and Policy

Michigan Good Food

Farm to Institution/School

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).