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Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition To Return -- With $1 Million

One of the world's richest business plan competitions is coming back to Michigan this fall.

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, supported through the collaborative efforts of the founders, the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan and the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan and the premier sponsors, Business Leaders for Michigan and the University Research Corridor, will return Nov. 16 and 17.

Cash winnings, plus in-kind awards of services, staffing and software valued at more than $1 million will be awarded to top entrepreneurial businesses that make a commitment to locate and grow in Michigan. The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition includes a competition for college students with innovative business ideas.

The second annual Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition will be held No. 16-17 at the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest. 

The Competition Finals and Gala Awards Celebration will be held the evening of Nov. 17 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition provides a catalyst to emerging businesses in Michigan. It attracts national attention from venture capitalists, start-ups and media to Michigan as a destination for innovation and an ideal place to launch and grow a new business.  The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition provides critical start-up funding to emerging businesses in key areas of opportunity for entrepreneurial growth and success, including alternative energy, IT, advanced manufacturing, life science, medical devices and advanced transportation.

The competition is an international business competition offering more than $1 million in cash awards, plus in-kind awards of services, staffing and software. In addition to the prizes from the competition, entrepreneurs will have access to Michigan's robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, which includes wet labs, incubators, and access to talent from the world's leading research universities.

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is a collaborative effort of the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan and Accelerate Michigan.  For more information, visit www.acceleratemichigan.org.

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