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.
Start Garden 100
Submissions Open
Submissions Close: July 12, 2026 11:59 pm
Submit your video

Since 2018

The Start Garden 100 has launched hundreds of businesses across Michigan.

800+
Entrepreneurs through our pipeline
75%+
From historically underrepresented communities
53%
Women finalists
60%
From minority groups

No advantage or disadvantage based on neighborhood, education, or income.

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

Now it's your turn.

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.
have questions? We have answers.

Mark your calendar now

Bootcamp: August 7–8, 2026

Friday · Aug 7
Evening session
After 5:00 PM
Saturday · Aug 8
Full day
All day
!
Bootcamp is mandatory
All 100 selected participants must attend. If you can't make it, a co-founder or business partner with full decision-making authority can attend in your place.
Plan around summer vacations now — not later.

Who can apply

There are no restrictions on who can participate beyond these basics:

14 or older
Any age welcome
For-profit only
No nonprofits, events, or short-term projects
Michigan-based
Or planning to register in Michigan
Any stage
Idea, early revenue, or scaling
Any industry
All sectors welcome
See full Terms & Conditions

2026 Capital Partners

Not every business needs the same kind of money. That's why we've assembled a coalition of Capital Partners offering different types of funding for different stages of business. When you apply, Start Garden will match you with the partners best suited to where your business is right now.

Start Garden
Grants
Best for: Pre-revenue businesses and early-stage ideas.

Grants are free money to get started. No payback required.

Grow Business
Small Business Loans
Best for: Post-revenue businesses ready to grow.

For businesses already making money that need capital to expand — new equipment, inventory, a bigger space, or hiring.

Opportunity Ventures
Shared Revenue
Best for: Post-revenue businesses with strong growth potential who want flexibility.

Pay back a percentage of what you earn rather than fixed monthly payments.

Union Heritage
Venture Capital
Best for: Scalable startups that could grow fast and big.

Investors give you money in exchange for a piece of your company.

Meijer
First Customer
Best for: Food and consumer product companies ready for retail.

Not every business needs an investor. Some just need a customer. Meijer is looking to contract with food and consumer packaged goods companies ready for shelves.

have questions? We have answers.

2026 Timeline

  • June 1Applications open
  • July 12Submission deadline
  • July 21Top 100 notified
  • August 7–8Mandatory bootcamp at Start Garden
  • August 10Top 50 notified
  • October 8Executive summaries due
  • October 22Demo Day at Start Garden
Apply Now

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