Food Pitch Competition
March 21, 2026
9AM-12PM | BC Innovation Hub
APPLY TODAY!
DEADLINE TO APPLY FEBRUARY 14, 2026
$40,000 ways to make an impact
The pitch event is open to the public, selected participants and community are able to attend. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Food Prize, hosted by the Sprout BC, Battle Creek Food Reimagined, Kellogg Arena, City of Battle Creek Small Business Development Office and other regional partner groups*, are seeking food and beverage businesses looking for support to start or scale operations.
Businesses interested in participating should complete an application between January 1 – February 14, 2026. Please note that applicants will be required to submit a video as a part of the application process. Applicants are encouraged to use the Vimeo platform (or another similar platform) to record videos, and then provide the video link in the application.
Selected finalists will be invited to a pitch competition in Battle Creek on Saturday, March 21st, with awardees receiving 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place awards worth $10,000, $7,000 and $3,000, respectively. Prizes will be cash and may also include technical services. These services may include but are not limited to:
• Consulting Services and Strategic Planning
• Marketing & Branding
• Production/Processing Space
• Technical Assistance
• Buyer Connections
Selected participants will not receive all support services listed above; finalized packages will be customized to meet awardees’ unique needs. Support Service Package costs will be covered up front by hosting partners; awardees will not be provided cash to use for those services.
Eligibility
*PLEASE NOTE* Eligibility requirements are different for each food business track.
Participating businesses must meet the following criteria:
- FOR FOOD SERVICE BUSINESSES – Be located in Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Jackson, Hillsdale, Calhoun, Branch, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Cass or Berrien counties.
- FOR FOOD MANUFACTURING/PRODUCTION BUSINESSES – Be located in the State of Michigan.
- Have under $750,000 in annual revenue
- Have 10 employees or less (part-time employees can be measured as full-time equivalents)
- Operate a food business under the Michigan Cottage Food Law or Michigan Food Law (if the business is already operating)
Businesses who applied and/or participated in the 2023 or 2024 Food Prize event are still welcome to apply for the 2026 event.
January 1st - February 14th, 2026
Applications are open.
Week of February 22nd
Finalists announced with invitation to participate in pitch competition
March 21st, 2026 | 9AM-12PM
IN-PERSON Pitch Competition @ Battle Creek Food Innovation Hub
