Yes, feel free to move around throughout the evening. To keep things distraction-free for pitchers, you won't be able to enter the auditorium while someone is pitching. You'll just need to wait for that pitch to finish before stepping in.
The Hatching 2026
Watch entrepreneurs from Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties pitch their business ideas live for a chance to win over $20,000 in funding.
October 8, 2026 | 4:30–7:30 PM
Hannah Community Center - 819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823
Come cheer on high school, college, and adult entrepreneurs as they pitch to live judges and compete for funding. Enjoy free drinks and light bites, plus a photo booth with free prints to take home.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Start a Conversation
Jazmin Anderson
Director of Small Business & Equity Programs
Meet the 2026 Competitors
15 Entrepreneurs. 15 Ideas. One Big Night.
Meet the high school, college, and adult entrepreneurs taking the stage at The Hatching. Get to know the people behind the pitches and the ideas they'll be competing to move forward.
Adult Track Finalists
Competing for up to $10,000
Dustin Creagh
Come Play With DJ!
An educational children’s brand making learning fun through original music, animation and everyday adventures for a growing global audience.
Mo Gerhardt
Every Spartan™
An officially licensed Michigan State University apparel brand bringing traditional and adaptive clothing together under one inclusive Spartan identity.
Shameka Terry
Shane’s Doggy Bag
Fresh-baked homemade dog treats made with simple, clean ingredients and no unnecessary fillers or preservatives.
Jacob Toomey & Kendrick Quon
Keel
An app that brings groceries, reminders, finances and other everyday household responsibilities together in one easy-to-manage place.
Zachary Kauffman
Troubleshot Industrial Solutions
Software and troubleshooting tools that help food and beverage manufacturing teams solve problems faster and more effectively.
College Track Finalists
Competing for up to $5,000
Kaylie Livingston
ParPack
A golf organization brand creating practical, versatile products that help golfers stay organized and prepared on the course, starting with its signature golf backpack.
Lorenzo Ruma
Popcorn
A movie and TV discovery app that helps people decide what to watch with personalized recommendations.
Jordyn Heaney & Marrianna Cruz
Blu’s Bagels
An East Lansing-based bagel brand serving handcrafted bagels and creative flavors through catering, group orders, pop-ups and community events.
Jack Coats
Pure Formance
A functional energy beverage company offering a smoother, more balanced approach to energy for athletes, students and everyday high performers.
Rahil Joshi
Pero
A platform for creating customizable, interactive pocket companions designed to bring imaginative digital characters and experiences to life.
What to Expect
- Finalists from all three tracks deliver 3-minute live pitches
- Judges award prizes based on creativity, feasibility, and impact
- Free drinks, light bites, and a photobooth with free prints
- A full night celebrating Lansing's entrepreneurial community
The Hatching is open to the public and free to attend. Come cheer on high school, college, and adult entrepreneurs as they pitch live, no ticket or application required.
Doors open at 4:30 PM with drinks, light bites, and the photobooth running the whole time. Pitches run across the three tracks through 7:30 PM, so come whenever fits your schedule and stay for as much of the evening as you'd like.
Parking is free, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. The event will be held in the Albert A. White Performing Arts Theater inside the Hannah Community Center, and wayfinding signage will be up to help you find your way once you're inside.
FAQs
No. Each track has its own awards ceremony immediately following its pitches, so you'll see High School winners announced before College even begins, and so on through Adult.
Yes, feel free to bring family, friends, or coworkers to cheer on the pitchers with you.
The evening runs High School, then College, then Adult, with short breaks in between for judges to deliberate and announce winners for each track.
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
