Compete for a $10,000 Grant and Pitch Your Vision Live at Future Leader Live!
The Future Leader Pitch Competition is designed to support entrepreneurs and innovators who are building meaningful solutions for the future of work. This is an opportunity to share your vision, demonstrate leadership, and compete for a $10,000 grant awarded live at Future Leader Live!. We are looking for founders who are clear on the problem they are solving, intentional about their impact, and committed to building something that matters. If that sounds like you, we invite you to apply.
- Application Opens: 1/24/26
- Application Closes: 3/16/26
- Notification of Finalists: 4/1/26
- Pitch Competition: 4/16/26 at Future Leader Live! Conference
- Announcement of Winners: 4/16/26 at Future Leader Live! Conference
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for the Future Leader Pitch Competition, applicants must be a Michigan-based business and have been operating for at least one year at the time of application.
All applications must be submitted by March 15, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
Only three (3) businesses will be selected to participate in the live pitch competition at Future Leader Live!
The three selected businesses will be notified by April 1, 2026.
Finalists will be invited to pitch their business live on stage at Future Leader Live!. Each finalist will have 3–5 minutes to present their idea, business, and vision.
The winner will be determined by live audience voting during the event.
The winning business will be announced at the end of the conference and will receive a $10,000 grant, presented live on stage.
Yes. Finalists must be present at Future Leader Live! to pitch and be eligible to win the grant.
No. There is no cost to apply for the Future Leader Pitch Competition.
We are looking for businesses that demonstrate leadership, clarity, innovation, and impact, particularly those aligned with the future of work, leadership development, technology, or community advancement.