2nd Annual HYPE Event - Highlighting Young Professional Excellence - Nov 19, 2025

Join us for the 2nd Annual HYPE Competition!

HYPE (Highlighting Young Professional Excellence) is set to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs on November 19, 2025, at the Watermark Solarium in Stevensville, Michigan. The event, designed for young professionals aged 21-40, will feature a dynamic panel discussion and a Shark Tank-style pitch competition, providing a unique platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and compete for valuable capital and in-kind support.

August 1st – Sponsorship Applications Open
August 15th – HYPE Participant Applications Open
September 15th – "TICKET SALES" OPEN
September 30th – HYPE Participant Applications Close
October 9th – Welcome to HYPE: Information Session (5:30pm Virtual or In- Person, Mandatory)
October 10th – Sponsorship Applications Close
November 12th – Pre-Selection Night (Closed to the Public)
November 18th – HYPE Rehearsal (Closed to the Public)
November 19th – HYPE

JUDGES

Vanessa Frias: Willowbrook Farms, HYPE 2nd place Winner

Danielle Grandholm: Director & Founder, Rising Kites & Rising Kites Coffee

Michael Rowland: President & CEO of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation | Co-Owner of Rowland Property Group, Co-Owner of Thistledown & Row

Dustin Jankoviak: Co-Owner, 2nd & Main, Owner of Vision Real Estate Holdings, LLC

Event Schedule

The event begins with a panel discussion highlighting young entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses in Southwest Michigan. In the second part of the event, a Shark Tank style Pitch Competition takes place, with the panelists serving as the judges.

The Panel

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Registration & Networking

5:30 PM – 5:40 PM: Welcome & Opening Remarks

5:40 PM – 6:20 PM: HYPE Panel Discussion

6:20 PM – 6:30 PM: Intermission

The Pitch

6:30 PM – 6:40 PM: Pitch Competition Rules

6:40PM – 7:45PM Top 7 Finalists Pitch

7:52 PM – 8:15 PM: Winners Announced

8:15PM-8:30PM: Final Remarks

Criteria

To compete, pitch participants must meet certain criteria, including but not limited to:

Age Requirement: Participants must be between the ages of 21 and 40 at the time of the event.
Residency or Regional Connection: Applicants should reside in or have a strong connection to the region, such as being a current resident, working in the area, or planning to launch their business locally.
Entrepreneurial Stage: Must have an established business between 1 and 3 years old.
Application Process: All participants must complete the application process, including participating in the pre-pitch, submission of a slide-deck, provision of references, etc.

Goals

Inspire Young Professionals: Motivate and empower attendees by showcasing success stories from young entrepreneurs and professionals who have excelled in their fields.
Foster Entrepreneurship: Encourage the development of innovative ideas by providing a platform for young professionals to pitch their business and compete for start-up capital.
Showcase Regional Talent: Highlight the creativity and potential of the region’s young professionals, building the area’s reputation as a hub for innovation and business development.
Provide Financial Support: Offer start-up capital to winning pitches, giving them the resources needed to launch or grow their businesses as well as technical assistance and support.