HYPE is Back for Year Three!
HYPE IS BACK FOR YEAR THREE: SPONSORSHIP AND PITCH APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN'S SHARK TANK-STYLE COMPETITION
3rd Annual HYPE Event Set for Wednesday, November 18th at the Watermark Solarium in Stevensville
The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is proud to announce that sponsorship and pitch applications are officially open for the third annual HYPE (Highlighting Young Professional Excellence) pitch competition. This high-energy, Shark Tank-style event returns to showcase, support, and empower young entrepreneurs from across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties, giving them a platform to pitch their business ideas and compete for valuable start-up capital and in-kind support.
This year's HYPE will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at the Watermark Solarium in Stevensville, and is open to aspiring entrepreneurs ages 21–40 with an established business between one and five years old. The evening will feature a dynamic panel discussion with local entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses in the region, followed by the highly anticipated pitch competition, in which seven finalists will present their business concepts live in front of the panel and a live audience. Exact prize amounts will be announced as the event draws closer, and past years have offered a mix of cash awards and in-kind resources—including mentorship, marketing assistance, and business coaching—to help winners continue growing their ventures. Attendees will also help select a "crowd favorite": in-person voting will open following the last pitch, and the winner will receive a cash award along with in-kind resources.
Event Schedule
The evening kicks off with registration and networking at 5:00 p.m., followed by opening remarks, the HYPE panel discussion, and a brief intermission before the top seven finalists take the stage for the pitch competition. Winners will be announced following the last pitch and a short intermission, with the program wrapping up by 8:30 p.m.
Stay tuned for this year's judges! You'll see some familiar faces.
“We are thrilled to bring HYPE into its third year and continue giving the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs a space to shine and take meaningful steps toward achieving their dreams,” said Jasmine Hansen, Events Director and Program Lead for NextGen at the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “HYPE isn’t just about pitching an idea and potentially winning money; it’s about engaging the community and demonstrating to entrepreneurs that they are part of a supportive network of like-minded individuals. It’s about fostering growth, whether or not they secure a top prize.”
Calling All Sponsors: Join Us in Shaping the Future
The Regional Chamber invites the business community to join in championing the next generation of entrepreneurs. By sponsoring HYPE, organizations play a vital role in helping young professionals bring their ideas to life while demonstrating a shared commitment to innovation, workforce development, and economic growth across Southwest Michigan. HYPE is supported under the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation, with all contributions and sponsorships fully tax-deductible.
Sponsorship applications opened July 31st and close on October 19th. Details and the sponsorship form are available at smrchamber.com/hype.
Pitch Applicant Info & Key Dates
Pitch applications opened August 10th and can be submitted online at smrchamber.com/hype. To compete, applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 40 at the time of the event, reside in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County or have concrete plans to open a business within the region, and have run their business for between one and five years. The application process includes a pre-pitch elimination round, submission of a slide deck, and business plan, among other requirements. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.
Key Dates:
- July 31 – Sponsorship Applications Open
- August 10 – HYPE Pitch Applications Open
- September 14 – Ticket Sales Open
- September 30 – HYPE Pitch Applications Close
- October 6 – Welcome to HYPE: Information Session (5:30 p.m., virtual or in-person; mandatory for pitch applicants, closed to the public)
- October 19 – Sponsorship Applications Close
- November 10 – Pre-Selection Night (closed to the public)
- November 17 – HYPE Rehearsal (closed to the public)
- November 18 – HYPE Event Night at Watermark Solarium
Registration to attend HYPE opens September 14th; seats can be reserved at ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/HYPE2026. Admission is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5, which will help support future entrepreneurial programming through the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation.
About the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation: Established in 2024, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to empower the region's business community through leadership, business, community, and economic development.
About the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber: The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is a non-profit business advocacy and collective-impact organization serving Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Established in 1954, the Chamber works to strengthen regional assets, advocate for regional priorities, and cultivate an economic ecosystem that prepares the region for future opportunities.
