Until July 12, you can submit a pitch on The 100 website. On July 21, we'll announce the 100 selected semi-finalists. Those 100 must attend a mandatory weekend bootcamp August 7–8 at Start Garden, where the field is narrowed to 50 finalists. The top 50 then have 60 days to execute their goals and prepare an executive summary. All 50 must showcase at Demo Day on October 22 at Start Garden, where Start Garden and Capital Partners announce funding live.

There are no restrictions on who can participate if they're over 14 years old and Michigan-based, or planning to register their business in Michigan. Start Garden favors projects that will draw value from and create benefit back into our community. Ultimately, The 100 is here to level the playing field for anyone who thought trying out a new venture was outside their reach.

We retired it. The $1,000 was designed to help people flesh out a back-of-the-napkin idea, but what we kept finding is that different businesses need different kinds of support. A startup raising its first round needs something very different from a small business looking to buy equipment. The new model connects participants with the right type of capital for their stage: grants, venture funding, business lending, revenue-share agreements, and first-customer introductions.

The 100 is a multi-year initiative to expand upon the community's innovative ideas and how we go about funding them. It begins with connecting 100 entrepreneurs annually to the right capital for their stage. In the future, we will explore how as a community we can better support them as they grow.

Anyone 14 years or older with a for-profit business idea. You must be Michigan-based or planning to register your business in Michigan.

No. Our funding is focused on sustainable, for-profit businesses. We're not able to support nonprofits, events, or short-term projects.

Yes. The 100 serves businesses at multiple stages — from brand new ideas to companies with real revenue looking to scale.

Yes. The Start Garden 100 serves businesses at every stage, including existing businesses looking to grow or expand. Start Garden grants are designed for new ideas and early-stage concepts. Other Capital Partner funding types may be used to support and grow an existing business.

You must be Michigan-based or planning to register your business in Michigan to apply.

Our funding is focused on sustainable and viable businesses or startups, so we're not able to support nonprofits, events, or short-term projects at this time. Keep in mind, we expect the person who submits the idea to keep running with it if selected.

The 100 is open to businesses at any stage. When you apply, you'll select where you are right now: idea stage (minimal revenue, minimal customers), small business with customers looking to grow, or startup seeking venture investment. Start Garden reviews every application and may move you to a different category if they feel it's a better fit — you'll be notified either way. Each stage competes separately, and Capital Partners are matched to the categories most relevant to their focus.

A complete application includes a 100-second video explaining your business and a Milestone statement describing what you plan to prove in 60 days. The Milestone statement is built into the application — no prep needed.

Definitely. Pitch as many as you want. Just don't submit multiple pitches about the same idea.

After you submit a pitch, you can update your 100-second video at any time with no restrictions. Do not submit another pitch about the same idea. Start Garden is not responsible to know which pitch is the correct one.

All pitches must be submitted through the website. If you'd like help recording your pitch in person, Start Garden hosts pop-up events across West Michigan during the application window. Visit startgarden.com/events for dates and locations.

Try using a different device: a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. You can also contact us if you need troubleshooting help. If all else fails, join us at one of our events.

The 100-second video pitch submitted is not made public without permission from the submitter. The only people that will review the videos are Start Garden staff and members of the entrepreneur support community designated by Start Garden. However, if a submitter still wants more protection, we recommend filing a provisional patent through an attorney.

No, and we never have. With the volume of ideas we encounter each year, it's not feasible for us to keep track of restrictions within all of the NDAs we could potentially sign. To better protect ideas, we don't make the 100-second pitch videos public without permission from the person who submitted. Furthermore, any submitter can independently file a provisional patent on their idea before submitting.

It depends on which Capital Partner you work with. Start Garden grants are no-strings-attached — no equity, no payback. Loans through Grow Business are paid back over time. Opportunity Ventures' shared revenue agreements are paid back as a percentage of earnings. Union Heritage venture capital involves equity in exchange for investment. Meijer's path is a customer contract, not investment. Each Capital Partner's terms are their own — you'll discuss them directly with that partner before committing to anything.

Yes. The August 7–8 bootcamp at Start Garden is required for all 100 selected participants. The event on August 7 will start at 5:00 PM. If you cannot attend, you will not be eligible to continue in the competition. Plan accordingly before you apply.

Yes — a co-founder or business partner can attend in your place, but it must be someone with full decision-making authority for the business. Whoever attends Bootcamp will be responsible for setting and meeting the Milestone. If no one from your team can commit to August 7–8, do not apply.

You'll meet the Capital Partners, hear what they're looking for, workshop your pitch, and refine your Milestone statement. By the end of the weekend, you'll submit your final Milestone.

Start Garden at 2 Fulton W in downtown Grand Rapids.

All 100 selected semi-finalists must attend the mandatory bootcamp at Start Garden, August 7–8. Attendance is required to remain in the competition — there are no exceptions. Following bootcamp, Start Garden and Capital Partners will narrow the field to 50 finalists.

Start Garden reviews all applications and selects 100 based on the strength of the idea, the clarity of the plan, and fit with our Capital Partners.

After Bootcamp, Capital Partners select the founders they want to work with during the sprint. You must be selected by at least one Capital Partner to become a finalist.

You'll receive feedback on your application. Many founders apply again with a stronger pitch and make it the next time.

Yes. You might be selected by multiple Capital Partners — each one is a potential path to funding.

All 50 finalists showcase at Demo Day on October 22 at Start Garden HQ. Attendance is mandatory to be eligible. Funding announcements are made live at the event. Even if you're not funded that night, many deals close in the weeks after Demo Day.

No. The 50 finalists are not expected to perform a traditional pitch from a stage, though we strongly encourage preparing an elevator pitch to share with the audience. Each finalist will have a space to demo their project in whatever format fits their business. You must be represented in person to be eligible for funding. Demo Day is open to the public.

Yes. Every finalist showcases at Demo Day on October 22.

You still leave with visibility, connections, and momentum. Many deals close in the weeks and months after Demo Day.

Start Garden at 2 Fulton W in downtown Grand Rapids.

Up to $500,000 in total funding will be announced live at Demo Day across all Capital Partners. Individual awards vary by Capital Partner and are still being finalized — we'll share those details as soon as they're set.

It depends on the Capital Partner. Start Garden awards are grants — no payback, no equity. Other Capital Partners have their own structures: loans, shared revenue agreements, venture investment, or customer contracts. You're always in control of whether you accept any offer.

No. The Start Garden 100 is free.

No. You're always in control of your decision.

Yes. A founder could receive a Start Garden grant and close a contract with Meijer, for example.

We want to deepen the culture of innovation for anyone that thought entrepreneurship was out of reach. Success for us looks like new businesses or business projects operating in our community each year. Entrepreneurs teach us along the way how we as a community can support them.

We'd love to see every finalist walk away with a capital commitment. What we know is that funding announcements happen live at Demo Day, and many more deals close in the weeks that follow. Our goal isn't a number — it's making sure every participant leaves with real momentum, whether that's funding, connections, or a clearer path forward.

Contact us at [email protected]