TCNewTech Pitch Competition

Connect. Pitch. Collaborate.

Traverse City’s pitch competition

TCNewTech is a community pitch competition for early-stage, Michigan-based startups. We bring together a vibrant community that is a seedbed of potential for making the right connections. When you pitch your next big idea, you get access to pitch coaching, pitch practice, mentors, feedback from an expert panel of judges, build incredible connections with startup leaders in our community… and you might even walk home with a cash award.

Join us at an upcoming event and you’ll find entrepreneurs, investors, business professionals, mentors, and startup and tech enthusiasts — all with the shared goal of building incredible companies and fostering a culture of homegrown innovation, right here in Northern Michigan.

Next event: Nov. 19

This pitch event will exclusively feature women entrepreneurs. Join us for an evening of exploring new ideas and connections, while supporting and celebrating female founders.

How it works

For each TCNewTech event, idea-stage entrepreneurs and early-stage startups are invited to participate in a pitch competition and compete against 3 to 5 pitch teams for a chance to win cash awards and startup support services. Each pitch presenter will present to a live audience and be reviewed by a panel of expert judges to determine the best and most innovative idea.

But the pitch competition is just the beginning – this event is really about the connections. After the pitch competition, join the Winner’s Ceremony to meet interesting people and startup partners, learn from local business leaders, discuss ideas, and find out who will walk away with the Audience Choice Award & First Place Award.

Attend an Event

Who is invited? You are! Our quarterly pitch events are free and open to the public.

Apply to Pitch

Ready to share your big idea? TCNewTech is a place to get exposure for your new business and win cash awards.

Applications are closed for our Nov. 19 event. Keep an eye out for application information for our 2025 pitch competitions.

The History of TCNewTech

Founded in 2015 by local entrepreneur Russell Schindler as a way to connect local tech professionals, TCNewTech quickly became the backbone of the region’s growing startup community. Pitch nights were vibrant, energetic, and positive events that brought together local tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts and launched a local startup culture.

TCNewTech pitch events quickly grew in popularity and became known across Michigan as an opportunity to pitch to a large, supportive audience of investors, business mentors, and well-connected community members.

Since its founding, more than 250 people have pitched at TCNewTech and $40,000 in pitch prizes have been awarded. The pitch events have provided the visibility and connections to help launch numerous local startups including Hybrid Robotics, First Ignite, Stocked, and Meeting Maker.

In 2024, TCNewTech became a program of the 20Fathoms startup incubator where entrepreneurs find wrap-around support services including pitch coaching, mentorship, business education, professional service providers, and connections to funding sources and a valuable network.

Charlie Childs Co-founder, Intero Biosystems

“The TCNewTech university pitch competition was an excellent forum for us to get support and feedback for our idea. We learned so much and had a great time networking.”

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Russell Schindler Founder, TCNewTech

“From its inception, TCNewTech has been a beacon in Traverse City’s tech landscape, fostering innovation and bridging the gap between ambitious technology founders and astute local tech investors. The journey of TCNewTech has been a remarkable testament to the spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurial drive inherent in our community.”

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