DETROIT – The annual Rocket Mortgage Detroit Demo Day pitch competition culled its list of 15 finalist to five winner on Friday night each getting a share of more than $1 million in funding, including a top prize of $250,000.

But the 10 losing finalists didn’t walk away empty handed. Each received $25,000 to help build their nascent businesses.

“Rocket Mortgage Detroit Demo Day has had a catalytic presence in the Detroit entrepreneur community for the last five years” said James Feagin, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Rocket Community Fund. “As we reflect on the past years and celebrate this year’s incredible winners and finalists, we are reminded of the power each business owner has to make a difference and the impact we have through investing in equitable entrepreneurship.”

A drum roll please…

Winners:

Start Category (Winner receives $125,000 in grant funding):

  • Athlytic – Brings athletes and brands together

Pivot Category (Winner receives $200,000 in funding):

Scale Category (Winner receives $250,000 in funding):

Youth Category

  1. Global Kid Media ($10,000)
  2. Carter’s Concessions & Ice Cream ($7,500)
  3. Anansee ($5,000)

People’s Choice: (Winners of Start, Pivot, and Scale receive a $25,000 grant)

  • Carter’s Concessions & Ice Cream
  • Anansee

“As a native Detroiter that’s attended every Rocket Mortgage Detroit Demo Day, it’s surreal to be on the other side as a founder,” said Ashton Keys, co-founder of Athlytic, the People’s Choice Award winner. “I am thankful for the opportunity to showcase my company and become engrained in the entrepreneur community that is in Detroit. These funds will allow me to expand my business in a way that I have only dreamed.”

For an earlier story that provides full details on Detroit Demo Days, click on https://dev.mitechnews.com/entrepreneur/detroit-demo-day-announces-finalists-for-annual-entrepreneurship-competition/