The 8th Annual Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition will take place on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at Masonic Temple in Detroit. As one of the largest business plan competitions in the nation, this premier event showcases the best and brightest startups in Michigan and highlights the state as a powerhouse for business opportunity and next generation technology.

Each year, over 200 companies apply to Accelerate Michigan. On November 16th, only 36 of these companies will compete as semi-finalists for a piece of the $1 million in cash & in-kind prizes and for the opportunity to gain exposure to regional and national venture capital investors through the Michigan Venture Capital Association.

Since inception, participating companies have generated 1,000+ jobs in Michigan and have raised over $550 million in capital. Representing many of the regions of Michigan, previous winners include: Banza (Detroit), SkySpecs (Ann Arbor), Varsity News Network (Grand Rapids), Algal Scientific (Plymouth), Celsee Diagnostics (Plymouth) & Armune BioScience (Kalamazoo).