DETROIT — Michigan’s first “Shark Tank” style competition is now taking applications from startups with innovative transportation solutions.

The winner of the inaugural “PitchMI” competition, which will be held Oct. 24 in Detroit, will receive $100,000 from the state to develop or improve their prototype solution.

“PitchMI will unleash Michigan’s innovative spirit, strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem, create good paying jobs, and spur new ideas on the future of mobility,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I can’t wait to see all the creative ideas and look forward to the competition in October.”

Whitmer likened the competition to Shark Tank, a long-running reality TV show where entrepreneurs present their product or business to venture capitalists for potential investment.

Gov. Whitmer announces ‘Shark Tank’ style statewide competition

Applications for the PitchMI competition are due by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 16. People can submit their applications at this link, which also contains information on eligibility and competition requirements.

Eligible pitches will focus on addressing mobility and transportation challenges in the state, focusing on improving safety, affordability and efficiency in how Michiganders travel from point A to point B.

Some examples, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), include innovations in public transit, personal vehicles, ride-sharing, cycling, walking, ground/maritime/air mobility and emerging technologies.

“This competition offers our entrepreneurs a stage to share their ideas with the world and demonstrate yet again that Michigan is at the cutting edge of innovation,” said Hilary Doe, chief growth officer at the MEDC. “Investing in entrepreneurs and innovators will help our state become a magnet for both businesses and talent, working together to drive population growth.

“Supporting entrepreneurs in starting and scaling their businesses will also create a more prosperous place to live for all Michiganders.”

The competition will see applications whittled down to four finalists that will then present their pitches Oct. 24 at the MI Future Mobility Conference in Detroit.

Judges from “the state, in partnership with leading organizations,” will then select the most innovative startup to invest $100,000 in, according to the Governor’s Office.

Runners-up will not be awarded any funds, and MEDC officials said the names of the judges will be announced later on.

The PitchMI competition was first announced May 30 by Whitmer during her keynote speech at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island.

Entrepreneurs and innovators and their benefit to economic development and moving Michigan forward was the key topic of Whitmer’s speech.

The Shark Tank style competition was one of three ways Whitmer announced the state would be looking to help entrepreneurs be successful.

She also announced a new executive order intended to connect startups with high tech equipment and specialized testing facilities already present in the state and the creation of a new role at the MEDC designed to be the state’s chief advocate for entrepreneurs.

Michigan State football is readying for its opening contest in Spartan Stadium against Florida Atlantic, which is arriving fast.

Fall camp has been a successful one for Coach Jonathan Smith, whose staff has implemented new systems on each side of the ball, as well as evaluated the mixture of returning talent and transfer portal grabs.

Michigan State recently announced its five captains for the 2024 season — quarterback Aidan Chiles, running back Nate Carter, center Tanner Miller, linebacker Jordan Turner and defensive lineman Maverick Hansen.

Chiles’ naming as a team captain is significant for many reasons. Chiles, still just 18 years old, is young even by true sophomore standards. He also hasn’t played a starting rep as a college quarterback, let alone for the Spartans.

Chiles was the presumed starter ever since his highly anticipated East Lansing arrival in December. All of the attention has been on the young signal-caller, and he has looked the part so far and even showed signs of it as a true freshman earning reps at Oregon State. Chiles has a lively arm and he is a big-time threat running the ball. He can get yards or extend plays.

Carter will get the majority of the carries this season alongside transfer back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams. Carter was the Spartans’ leading rusher last season (he started all 12 games) and he is looking to take another step with an improved offense around him.

Carter is the right kind of running back for offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren and running backs coach Keith Bhonapha. He can receive out of the backfield, block, has good vision as a runner, and most importantly, he falls forward.

Miller was another big transfer addition that followed Smith from Corvallis. Miller received some All-American recognition last season and was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection. He will be the most experienced player on the offensive line and its heartbeat as the center.

Turner is will likely take over the Spartans defense as the Mike linebacker in Joe Rossi’s scheme. Turner has received praise for his physical playstyle and his feel for the game has earned him the honor of wearing Rossi’s mic’ed up helmet during some practices. Rossi said it will be more of a player-based decision than a position-based one. Turner might just be the player to have earned it.

Hansen has played in 41 career games and made eight starts in his five seasons at Michigan State. He is a vocal veteran, so it is no surprise that Hansen earned his captaincy.

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Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow tried to throw the book at Donald Trump — literally hoisting an oversized copy of “Project 2025” onto the lectern and quoting from portions of it.

It was prop comedy on one of the highest political stages.

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“So we read it,” McMorrow said. “Whatever you think it might be, it is so much worse.”

Trump, the former president, has publicly disavowed any interest in the policies outlined in Project 2025, but it’s a blueprint for a second Trump term that was put together by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

McMorrow said the ideas in the text would enable Trump to be a dictator who could fire civil servants and use the Justice Department to investigate political opponents.