{"id":682,"date":"2024-07-22T14:15:45","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T18:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miwf.org\/?page_id=682"},"modified":"2025-10-02T09:55:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T13:55:04","slug":"womanup-pitch","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/","title":{"rendered":"WomanUp &amp; Pitch Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel\" data-effect=\"slide\" data-speed=\"0.2\" data-autoplay=\"4\" data-slides-per-view=\"3\" data-centered-slides=\"true\" data-loop=\"true\" data-free-scroll=\"false\" data-show-arrows=\"true\" data-show-bullets=\"false\" data-dynamic-bullets=\"true\" data-gap=\"3\"><div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-items\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-12.jpg\" alt=\"womanup and pitch event photo\" class=\"wp-image-3826\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-12.jpg 800w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-12-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-36.jpg\" alt=\"womanup and pitch event photo\" class=\"wp-image-3830\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-36.jpg 800w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-36-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-36-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-36-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-58.jpg\" alt=\"womanup and pitch event photo\" class=\"wp-image-3835\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-58.jpg 800w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-58-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-58-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-58-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-134.jpg\" alt=\"womanup and pitch winner photo\" class=\"wp-image-3842\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-134.jpg 800w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-134-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-134-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MWFFoodPitch2024-134-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-arrow-prev-icon\"><svg class=\"ghostkit-svg-icon\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14.7803 17.7803C14.4874 18.0732 14.0126 18.0732 13.7197 17.7803L8.4697 12.5303C8.1768 12.2374 8.1768 11.7626 8.4697 11.4697L13.7197 6.21967C14.0126 5.92678 14.4874 5.92678 14.7803 6.21967C15.0732 6.51256 15.0732 6.98744 14.7803 7.28033L10.0607 12L14.7803 16.7197C15.0732 17.0126 15.0732 17.4874 14.7803 17.7803Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-arrow-next-icon\"><svg class=\"ghostkit-svg-icon\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.21967 6.2197C9.51256 5.9268 9.98744 5.9268 10.2803 6.2197L15.5303 11.4697C15.8232 11.7626 15.8232 12.2374 15.5303 12.5303L10.2803 17.7803C9.98744 18.0732 9.51256 18.0732 9.21967 17.7803C8.92678 17.4874 8.92678 17.0126 9.21967 16.7197L13.9393 12L9.21967 7.2803C8.92678 6.9874 8.92678 6.5126 9.21967 6.2197Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94bc23d7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-sponsored-by\">Sponsored By:<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-1024x392.png\" alt=\"consumers energy logo\" class=\"wp-image-1086\" style=\"width:374px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-1024x392.png 1024w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-300x115.png 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-768x294.png 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-1536x587.png 1536w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-2048x783.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-grid ghostkit-grid-gap-md ghostkit-grid-align-items-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-grid-inner\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-6\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Want to make your business dream a reality? Start here! Michigan Women Forward\u2019s WomanUp &amp; Pitch Business Plan and Pitch Competition, sponsored by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumersenergy.com\/community\/foundation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Consumers Energy Foundation<\/a>, is a funding opportunity for Michigan women who want to start or grow an existing for-profit business.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-6\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube ghostkit-custom-vwda2 wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2025 Southeast Michigan WomanUp &amp; Pitch Competition\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ljYY5rb0LBc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper ghostkit-button-wrapper-gap-lg ghostkit-button-wrapper-align-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper-inner\">\n<a class=\"ghostkit-button ghostkit-button-xl ghostkit-custom-Z2qSVO3\" href=\"https:\/\/miwf-apply.smapply.io\/prog\/2026_womanup_and_pitch_competition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"ghostkit-button-text\">CLICK TO APPLY! Deadline Extended to Oct. 3, 2025<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-Z19T9NB\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-it-works\">How It Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There will be FIVE competitions: Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Bay City Region, and a Statewide Food Competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ten female entrepreneurs will be selected to compete in each of the FIVE WomanUp &amp; Pitch competitions. Five entrepreneurs will compete in the Idea Phase\/Startup Business category (in business fewer than 3 years and revenue less than $150,000) and five entrepreneurs will compete in the Established\/Growth Business category (in business for 3 years or more and\/or revenue greater than $150,000). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finalists are connected to coaches and mentors who provide professional services and expert advice to help the WomanUp &amp; Pitch contestants create viable business plans and craft a compelling business pitch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finalists in the Statewide Food Competition pre-record their pitches and prepare samples of their food they serve at an in-person event attended by guests, food industry leaders\/investors and our panel of judges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finalists of the other four WomanUp &amp; Pitch competitions present their pitches live online before a panel of judges, online viewers, business experts and investors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-eligibility\">Eligibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Businesses must be based in Michigan, for-profit, and at least 51% woman-owned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finalists who participated in a previous WomanUp &amp; Pitch competition but did not win prize money are eligible to participate after a one-year waiting period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Businesses in the industries of cannabis, weapons, or adult entertainment are not eligible to participate. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Current employees of Michigan Women Forward and Consumers Energy are not eligible to participate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper ghostkit-button-wrapper-gap-lg ghostkit-button-wrapper-align-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper-inner\">\n<a class=\"ghostkit-button ghostkit-button-xl ghostkit-custom-2fuJ3e\" href=\"https:\/\/miwf-apply.smapply.io\/prog\/2026_womanup_and_pitch_competition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"ghostkit-button-text\">CLICK TO APPLY! Deadline EXTENDED: Oct. 3, 2025<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-Z1BzDKA\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-grid ghostkit-grid-gap-lg\"><div class=\"ghostkit-grid-inner\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-6\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-important-dates\">Important Dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, Noon: <\/strong>2026 WomanUp &amp; Pitch application opens. (2-page <a href=\"https:\/\/miwf-apply.smapply.io\/protected\/nr\/q2sN5\/Pitch_Competition_Concept_Paper_Template.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">concept paper<\/a>\u202fand $20 application fee)\u00a0<br><strong>Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, Noon-12:45 p.m.: <\/strong>WomanUp &amp; Pitch Info Session + Q&amp;A Webinar<br><strong>Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, Noon-12:45 p.m.: <\/strong><br>WomanUp &amp; Pitch Info Session + Q&amp;A Webinar<br><strong>Friday, Oct.  3, 2025, Noon: <\/strong>2026 WomanUp &amp; Pitch application closes. <br><br><strong>Week of Dec. 1, 2025: <\/strong>Mandatory Virtual Pitch Preparation Workshops (schedule coming soon)<br><br><strong><strong>Feb. 3, 2026<\/strong>: <\/strong>Southeast Michigan Virtual Pitch Competition<br><strong>Feb. 10, 2026:<\/strong> West Michigan Virtual Pitch Competition<br><strong>Feb. 17, 2026: <\/strong>Mid-Michigan Virtual Pitch Competition<br><strong><strong>Feb. 24, 2026<\/strong>:<\/strong> Bay City Virtual Pitch Competition<br><strong><strong>March 3, 2026<\/strong>: <\/strong>Statewide Food Competition (In Person)<br><em>Statewide Food Competition will be in person in the Southeast Michigan area. If selected, finalists agree to attend in person and provide approximately 80 food samples for attendees. Businesses competing in this competition must be licensed for food service or operate under Michigan Cottage Food law.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-6\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prizes\">Prizes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Winners in both the Startup Business and Established Business categories in each of our five competitions are awarded:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>First place:<\/strong> $10,000<br><strong>Second place:<\/strong> $5,000<br><strong>Third place: <\/strong>$2,500<br><strong>Audience choice:<\/strong> $1,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The top 50 finalists who don&#8217;t place or win the audience choice award will receive $500<\/strong>. We will connect our WomanUp &amp; Pitch finalists to coaches and mentors who will provide professional services and expert advice as they create viable business plans and prepare to pitch their business to a panel of business experts and an audience of other entrepreneurs, small business owners, potential investors, and business and community leaders. The business plans, reviewed in advance of the pitch by our judges, account for 60% of the final score; the pitch accounts for 40%.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper ghostkit-button-wrapper-gap-lg ghostkit-button-wrapper-align-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper-inner\">\n<a class=\"ghostkit-button ghostkit-button-xl ghostkit-custom-2gNJws\" href=\"https:\/\/miwf-apply.smapply.io\/prog\/2026_womanup_and_pitch_competition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"ghostkit-button-text\">CLICK TO APPLY! Deadline EXTENDED: Oct. 3, 2025<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94bc23d7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-sponsored-by-0\">Sponsored By:<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-1024x392.png\" alt=\"consumers energy logo\" class=\"wp-image-1086\" style=\"width:374px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-1024x392.png 1024w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-300x115.png 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-768x294.png 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-1536x587.png 1536w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Consumers-Energy_logo_vertical_transparent_blue-green-2048x783.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-1xKGPF\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-mfwlbeige-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">\u201cThis&nbsp;pitch&nbsp;competition didn&#8217;t just provide funds. It helped me build new skills to further&nbsp;my business. I highly recommend applying for the MWF&nbsp;WomanUp &amp; Pitch&nbsp;Competition!\u201d<\/p>\n<cite><strong>Allison Jordan, Better Belly Therapies, 2024 winner<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bbt_086-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3784 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bbt_086-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bbt_086-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bbt_086-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bbt_086-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/bbt_086.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-1JmCeg\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-Z11RlKP\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-previous-womanup-amp-pitch-winners\">Previous WomanUp &amp; Pitch Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on the previous WomanUp &amp; Pitch pages below to see honorees and watch their pitches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel\" data-effect=\"slide\" data-speed=\"0.8\" data-autoplay=\"4\" data-slides-per-view=\"4\" data-centered-slides=\"true\" data-loop=\"true\" data-free-scroll=\"false\" data-show-arrows=\"true\" data-show-bullets=\"true\" data-dynamic-bullets=\"true\" data-gap=\"3\"><div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-items\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center ghostkit-custom-ZFNKxx has-white-color has-mwfbeige-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-92284788eff87dd71721fc480e96e5fb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/womanup-pitch-2024-winners-and-finalists\/\">2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-mwfpink-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-42b711cfcd993dab3260cd11223b1bc3\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center ghostkit-custom-8JQGW\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/womanup-pitch-2023-winners-and-finalists\/\">2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center ghostkit-custom-Wr509 has-white-color has-mwfblue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-6df6f95bd87ed0b1caa213cb2cdd61d6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/womanup-pitch-2022-winners-and-finalists\/\">2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center ghostkit-custom-1TbQhx has-black-color has-mfwlbeige-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-673117df2d9c553e1277c796340f122c\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/womanup-pitch-2021-winners-and-finalists\/\">2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-slide is-layout-flow wp-block-carousel-slide-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center ghostkit-custom-1YF7yN has-white-color has-mwfgreen-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-445e629783db4937a5f508c2aad86d35\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/womanup-pitch-2020-winners-and-finalists\/\">2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-arrow-prev-icon\"><svg class=\"ghostkit-svg-icon\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14.7803 17.7803C14.4874 18.0732 14.0126 18.0732 13.7197 17.7803L8.4697 12.5303C8.1768 12.2374 8.1768 11.7626 8.4697 11.4697L13.7197 6.21967C14.0126 5.92678 14.4874 5.92678 14.7803 6.21967C15.0732 6.51256 15.0732 6.98744 14.7803 7.28033L10.0607 12L14.7803 16.7197C15.0732 17.0126 15.0732 17.4874 14.7803 17.7803Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ghostkit-carousel-arrow-next-icon\"><svg class=\"ghostkit-svg-icon\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.21967 6.2197C9.51256 5.9268 9.98744 5.9268 10.2803 6.2197L15.5303 11.4697C15.8232 11.7626 15.8232 12.2374 15.5303 12.5303L10.2803 17.7803C9.98744 18.0732 9.51256 18.0732 9.21967 17.7803C8.92678 17.4874 8.92678 17.0126 9.21967 16.7197L13.9393 12L9.21967 7.2803C8.92678 6.9874 8.92678 6.5126 9.21967 6.2197Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sponsored By: How It Works There will be FIVE competitions: Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Bay City Region, and a Statewide Food Competition.&nbsp; Ten female entrepreneurs will be selected to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":149,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-682","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.2 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>WomanUp &amp; Pitch Competition - Michigan Women Forward<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Michigan Women Forward\u2019s WomanUp &amp; Pitch Business Plan and Pitch Competition is a funding opportunity for Michigan women who want to start or grow an existing for-profit business.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/business-programs\/womanup-pitch\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"WomanUp &amp; 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