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Start Garden 100 Competition
Right Capital. Right Time.
New this year: We've assembled a coalition of Capital Partners offering grants, loans, shared revenue agreements, venture capital and first-customer contracts — all on one stage. Whether you're testing an idea, growing a business, seeking investment or ready for retail shelves, there's capital here for you.
Up to $500,000 in funding announced live at Demo Day.
Since 2018
The Start Garden 100 has launched hundreds of businesses across Michigan.
Past participants have:- Expanded into major retail stores
- Launched accelerators
- Opened restaurants
- Scaled and sold tech companies
- Grown small business ideas to $10,000,000+ in revenue
How It Works
The Start Garden 100 is a competition that connects founders to the right capital at the right time. Not everyone who applies will make it to Demo Day. But everyone who participates will learn something valuable.
1. Apply June 1 – July 12
Submit your 100-second video and Milestone application at 100.startgarden.com. You can update your video anytime before the deadline.
2. Bootcamp August 7–8
100 participants workshop their pitches and meet Capital Partners. This is where Capital Partners decide who moves forward. If no one from your team attends, you cannot continue in the competition.
Mandatory
3. Get Selected August 10
Capital Partners choose 50 finalists to pursue their sprints. If you're not selected, you'll receive feedback on your application.
4. Sprint August 10 – October 8
60 days to hit your Milestone. During the sprint, Start Garden hosts meetups, advisor workshops, and regular check-ins to support your progress. Executive summaries are due October 8.
5. Demo Day October 22, 2026 — Start Garden at 2 Fulton
All 50 finalists showcase to the community. At the end of the night, Capital Partners take the stage and funding is announced live — grants, loans, investments, and contracts. Even if you're not funded that night, many deals close in the weeks after Demo Day.
Submissions Close: July 12, 2026 11:59pm
To apply and learn more visit: https://contests.startgarden.com/start-garden-100/
