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Workshops & key dates

Workshops & key dates

Two workshops on writing and delivering your pitch, and every date between now and the stage.

The path

From an idea to a stage to a company.

  1. 1

    Apply

    Send a brief expression of interest by November 6. It is not your final pitch. We use it to give you feedback during the workshops. The full application opens after that and is due Sunday, November 22.

  2. 2

    Shape it

    Two Pitch Academy workshops, Thursday, November 12 at Downtown (DCIH) and Thursday, November 19 at the Allendale campus, 3:30–4:30 pm, on how to write and deliver your pitch. Invitations go to everyone who expresses interest, with feedback on your submission. You leave with a clear story.

  3. 3

    Pitch

    Five finalists, five minutes each plus questions, on stage at Innovation Day, December 8.

  4. 4

    Grow

    Winners get GVSU student build teams, faculty expertise, mentors, a coworking membership, and guidance into SBIR/STTR federal funding.

Pitch Academy

Come learn how to pitch. Express interest and you're invited.

A founder pitching to the judging panel at GVSU Innovation Day
Pitching to the judges at Innovation Day, Grand Rapids.

Thursday, November 12

Pitch Academy · Workshop 1

Downtown (DCIH) · 3:30–4:30 pm

How to find the real problem, how to say what your technology does, and how to hold a room for five minutes.

Invitations will be sent to everyone who expresses interest. Room to be announced by email.

Thursday, November 19

Pitch Academy · Workshop 2

Allendale campus · 3:30–4:30 pm

Sharpen your pitch with feedback on your submission, with West Michigan founders and mentors in the room.

Invitations will be sent to everyone who expresses interest. Room to be announced by email.

Timeline

Dates to put on the calendar.

  1. Open now

    Expression of interest form open

  2. Nov 6

    Expression of interest due: a brief submission we use to give you feedback at the workshops

  3. After Nov 6

    Full application opens

  4. Nov 12

    Pitch Academy workshop 1 · Downtown (DCIH) · 3:30–4:30 pm

  5. Nov 19

    Pitch Academy workshop 2 · Allendale campus · 3:30–4:30 pm

  6. Nov 22

    Full application and pitch deck due, Sunday 11:59 pm ET

  7. After Nov 22

    Five finalists announced; final deck due five days later

  8. Dec 8

    GR DeepTech Pitch Competition at Innovation Day

What makes a strong pitch

Tell a clear story that connects your technology to real-world impact.

01

The innovation itself

What have you made that did not exist before? Be concrete about the thing itself, not the category it sits in.

02

The technical challenge

What is genuinely hard about this, and why is your solution unique?

03

The market opportunity

Who needs this, how many of them are there, and what changes for them when they have it?

04

The strength of your team

Why are you the people to do this? Skills, research background, and obsession all count.

FAQ

Questions people actually ask

Apply to pitch

Expression of interest due November 6. Full application and pitch deck due Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.