MBN On The Road: PitchMI Awards Event - Parker Boundy, co-founder & CEO of General Orbit, 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 Max Albert, CEO of Adrenaline Interactive, Ann Arbor (This Interview) 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. The road to the championship began in the fall of 2025 with four regional pitch events across the state, which saw 375 applications from founders in more than 100 Michigan communities. These regional competitions focused on key growth sectors: Healthcare & Life Sciences (Grand Rapids): Won by BedConnect, an online system streamlining hospital discharge processes. Cleantech & Outdoor Innovation (Traverse City): Won by Electric Outdoors, Inc., creators of a portable off-grid power and water canopy system. Mobility, Defense & Advanced Manufacturing (Detroit): Won by General Orbit, developers of simplified satellite navigation hardware and software. AI & Software (Ann Arbor): Won by Adrenaline Interactive. “Adrenaline Interactive, and all the PitchMI finalists, represent the kind of companies Michigan wants to elevate and celebrate more: ambitious, high-growth, and built by founders with the talent and drive to scale,” said Ben Marchionna, Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer at the MEDC. “PitchMI gives these entrepreneurs a stage that matches the quality of what they’re building. Companies like these are how Michigan attracts and retains exceptional people, creates high-wage jobs, and builds a durable, innovation-driven economy.” 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.