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East Lansing's The Hatching Provides Monthly Innovation Jolt

EAST LANSING (WWJ) -- The last Wednesday of every month, entrepreneurs and investors are gathering to take part in the newest pitch competition in the Mid-Michigan region. The Hatching, a partnership between LEAP, Spartan Innovations and the NEO Center, provides an opportunity for five new ideas to be pitched and possibly funded each month with $1,000 prizes.

The winners of the monthly events will have the opportunity to advance on and pitch their ideas once more in December, for the chance to win $10,000 to start their venture.

This event was created through ongoing partnerships of LEAP, Spartan Innovations and the NEO Center, in an effort to strengthen our overall incubator and start up networks. Many idea and pitch competitions have taken place throughout the Lansing region and The Hatching will take the place of some, specifically Next Bright Idea and work alongside others, the Green Light Business Model Competition and Lansing Startup Weekend.

What makes The Hatching different is its focus on funding new ideas. In order to participate, LLCs cannot be in place at pitch time; however, they will need to be in place to receive the funding. Part of the prize package will include legal services to create the new business entity provided by Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting P.C.

"The Hatching is a monthly event at Beggar's Banquet that is jam packed and a who's who of industry leaders, creative businesses owners and students. Other regions have begun putting on events like this for people interested in the new economy, new ideas and new business to come together for a major social hour, not to mention the heavy competition," said Jeff Smith, Co-Director of the New Economy Division at LEAP. "We can now say that the Lansing region can rival these other communities each month."

People interested in participating and pitching in the upcoming events are asked to submit their ideas to www.thehatching.org the week prior to the event. Each month, five ideas will be chosen and the participants will be notified the Sunday before each event. The next Hatching event will take place at Beggar's Banquet in East Lansing on Wednesday, July 31 and will continue every last Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m.

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders committed to building a prosperous and vibrant region where business can thrive. For more information about LEAP, please visit www.purelansing.com.

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