EAST LANSING — The third annual GreenLight Business Model Competition is now accepting applications to compete in the March competition. New this year is the Best Home Appliance Innovation Award, sponsored by Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp.
With a focus on consumer needs, and finding relevant solutions for homes around the world, Whirlpool partnered with Spartan Innovations and GreenLight Michigan to create the $5,000 Home & Housewares Award, promoting innovation that helps keep homes running smoothly.
All entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply to compete in this statewide business pitch competition. The GreenLight Michigan competition is open to anyone with a business idea, including students and business professionals. Business entities applying to participate must be a Michigan-based business, in existence for less than a year from the date of March 31, 2014. Applicants must register before March 1 at https://greenlight.fluidreview.com.
GreenLight Michigan was created by Spartan Innovations, which provides educational and financial support necessary to turn MSU research technologies into successful Michigan businesses, and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. It is sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Whirlpool Corp., M3 Group, Brooks Kushman PC, Foster Swift PC, and other sponsors.
With opportunities to win up to $50,000 in cash prizes, finalists will present their business concepts in front of an expert panel and live audience at MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing on Tuesday, March 31 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Working to expand entrepreneurship and small business success in Michigan, the final GreenLight Michigan event will include winners of recent regional GreenLight events in Detroit, Port Huron and Flint.
“Our partnerships allow us to support great ideas and innovators from around the state,” said Paul Jaques, director of student and community engagement at Spartan Innovations. “Michigan startups have ideas and talent that can compete on a global scale. We’re proud to offer this opportunity, in addition to the funding support, to help grow small business and entrepreneurship.”
The public is invited join the live audience in cheering on their favorite ideas, and to attend the networking reception and awards presentation that follows. Learn more about this event and register at www.greenlightmichigan.com.
More about Spartan Innovations and the MSU Innovation Center that it’s part of at http://innovation.msu.edu.