Any innovative business idea is welcome, whether it's a product, service, or technology. The idea or business must have been operating for one year or less.
The Hatching
October 8, 2026 from 4:30-7:30 PM
Hannah Community Center, East Lansing
The Hatching is a live pitch competition where entrepreneurs from Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties present their ideas to a live audience and judges for a chance to win funding, receive feedback, and build community connections.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Aurora Lemieux-Mckissic
Small Business Programs Coordinator
Apply to Pitch
Turn your business idea into a live pitch for a chance to win funding, receive coaching, and share your vision with the community.
Applications are open now. Apply by August 31.
High School Track
$1,000
1st Place Prize
College Track
$5,000
1st Place Prize
Adult Track
$10,000
1st Place Prize
How it Works
- Submit your business idea through the application process.
- A panel of judges will review applications and select finalists.
- Finalists will pitch their ideas during The Hatching 2026
- Judges will award prizes to winners based on creativity, feasibility, and impact.
- High School: Rising freshmen through seniors enrolled in any high school in the Lansing Region (Ingham, Eaton, or Clinton counties) with a business idea or venture operating for one year or less.
- College: Students currently enrolled in a college or university in the Lansing Region (Ingham, Eaton, or Clinton counties) with a business idea or venture operating for one year or less.
- Adult: Individuals 18 and older who live or work in the Lansing Region (Ingham, Eaton, or Clinton counties) and own or are launching a small business that has been operating for one year or less.
- Prepare Your Idea - Clearly outline your concept, purpose, and potential impact.
- Submit Online - Complete the application form before the deadline.
- Selection - Finalists are notified and invited to participate in pitch feedback and pitch deck development sessions.
- Pitch - Present your idea during The Hatching in a live, high-energy setting.
- Coaching and feedback sessions to help you refine your pitch
- Graphic design support to help you build a strong, clear pitch deck
save the date for The Hatching 2026
Watch high school, college, and adult entrepreneurs pitch their ideas live on October 8, 2026, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at the Hannah Community Center.
2025 Hatching Winners
The Hatching: Main Event
- 1st Place: Carter Louisell, BRCE
- 2nd Place: Fatima Taha, CocoMar
- People’s Choice: David Garza, All Things Soccer 517
The Hatching: Youth Edition
- 1st Place: Jamie Tran, NailsbyJamieT
- 2nd Place: Zayyir Doyle, BoxerBlitz
- People’s Choice: Jashalyn Clay, Deveah’s
FAQs
The competition is open to three segments: High School (rising freshmen through seniors), College (currently enrolled college students), and Adult (18 and older). All participants must live or work in the Lansing Region.
Finalists will receive guidance through scheduled coaching sessions with feedback from a variety of sources to help sharpen their pitch skills prior to the event.
