MBN On The Road: PitchMI Awards Event - Max Albert, CEO of Adrenaline Interactive, Ann Arbor

Originally uploaded April 14, reloaded May 5, 2026. MBN was on the road to cover PitchMI's Finals competition on Tuesday, April 7. The MSU Research Foundation hosted the event at Grewal Hall in Lansing from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PitchMI brought together four founders from Michigan-built startups spanning healthcare, AI, navigation technology, and sustainable tech. These finalists were selected last autumn and were competing for a $1 million investment. More than 300 Michigan-based startups applied. Now, just four finalists remained. This interview was one of four right before they took the stage, each pitching with the goal of the Million. This year’s finalists included: Lindsay Joseph, co-founder and CEO of BedConnect, Ann Arbor (This Interview) Max Albert, CEO of Adrenaline Interactive, Ann Arbor Parker Boundy, co-founder and CEO of General Orbit, Ann Arbor Josef Hjelmaker, founder and CEO of Electric Outdoors, Detroit What can happen in seven minutes? On Tuesday, April 7, four Michigan startups stepped on stage in Lansing and pitched for a $1 million investment. Hosted by the MSU Research Foundation, PitchMI is one of the nation’s largest founder-focused startup competitions, with more than 400 attendees. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan Startup wins $1 Million Investment at Second Statewide PitchMI Competition Adrenaline Interactive of Ann Arbor, a startup specializing in dynamic in-game advertising, was named the winner of the 2026 competition, which saw 375 applicants from around the state. LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State University (MSU) Research Foundation to announce Adrenaline Interactive as the grand prize winner of the 2026 PitchMI Championship. Following a high-stakes "Shark Tank" style competition at Grewal Hall in Lansing, the company was awarded a $1 million investment, bringing its total PitchMI winnings to $1.375 million. “Winning feels surreal. To be honest, I still don't really believe that I won, because the other companies were just so phenomenal,” said CEO and founder of Adrenaline Interactive, Max Albert. “There were four great companies up there, and I feel so lucky to share the stage with all of them. In terms of the future, this check is so meaningful to help us bring back advertising dollars to the state of Michigan.” PitchMI (pronounced “Pitch-Me”) is one of the nation’s largest founder-focused startup competitions, designed to identify and invest in Michigan’s most promising startups. The PitchMI Championship served as the culmination of a statewide search for Michigan’s most innovative startups, highlighting the state’s commitment to fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting founders who want to make a career or business in Michigan. “Michigan is a place where big ideas come to life, and today’s PitchMI Championship is yet another example of how Michigan is creating the jobs of the future,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Congratulations to Adrenaline Interactive and all of the competing companies. By investing in our homegrown entrepreneurs, we are creating high-tech jobs and ensuring Michigan remains the best place in the world to innovate, grow a business, and dream big.” MI’s entrepreneurial landscape continues to thrive with the addition of critical tools, including a $60 million investment in early-stage startups through the Michigan Innovation Fund, an R&D tax credit for small businesses.