The Upper Michigan Food Processing Support Program, hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Small Business Development Center, Michigan State University Product Center, and U.P. Food Exchange are seeking food businesses looking for support or to scale up their operations.
Businesses interested in participating must complete an application from Jan. 8 - Feb. 5.
Selected finalists will be invited to a virtual pitch competition on February 23, 2021, with awardees choosing from these customized support services* including:
ELIGIBILITY
Participating businesses must meet the following criteria:
Jan. 8: Application opens
Feb. 5: Application closes
Feb. 12: Finalists announced and receive an invitation to participate in the Virtual Pitch Competition
Feb. 16 at 6 pm (ET): Pitch Prep Workshop for finalists
Feb. 23 at 10 am (ET): Virtual Pitch Competition
Final awarded businesses announced at event culmination
RULES
Please refer to the Process & Selection Terms & Conditions
Contact pmbc@michigan.org with any questions.
Businesses interested in participating must complete an application from Jan. 8 - Feb. 5.
Selected finalists will be invited to a virtual pitch competition on February 23, 2021, with awardees choosing from these customized support services* including:
- Strategic Business Development: Connect2Market
- Production and Processing Space: Michigan State University Extension Food Processing and Innovation Center
- Buyer Connections: PMBC/MEDC
- Graphic Design & Logo Creation: Taste the Local Difference
- Website/E-Commerce Development: LaDolce Video & Design
- Photography & Video Production: LaDolce Video & Design
- Systems Audit: Fresh Systems
ELIGIBILITY
Participating businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Be located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
- Have 50 employees or less
- Businesses must plan to or make or manufacture a food or food-related product offered for sale to the public under the Michigan Cottage Food Law, Michigan Food Law, or processing meat as Custom Exempt or United States Department of Agriculture Inspected
Jan. 8: Application opens
Feb. 5: Application closes
Feb. 12: Finalists announced and receive an invitation to participate in the Virtual Pitch Competition
Feb. 16 at 6 pm (ET): Pitch Prep Workshop for finalists
Feb. 23 at 10 am (ET): Virtual Pitch Competition
Final awarded businesses announced at event culmination
RULES
Please refer to the Process & Selection Terms & Conditions
Contact pmbc@michigan.org with any questions.