2026 Pitch Pit and Feature Presentation

Startup Presentation

Andrea Taylor with Livsee. A Michigan State graduate, Andrea began her career in the multifamily industry and quickly established herself as a leader in PropTech and innovation. After leading sales for two successful PropTech companies that achieved exits, she was recruited to oversee ancillary and innovation efforts for top real estate firms, including Village Green, Waterton, and Morgan Properties. Driven by the potential of generative AI, Andrea founded Livsee to help renters find their ideal apartments at the best price, while empowering apartment owners with smarter concession management strategies.

Pitch Pit Competition

Selected entrepreneurs will each give a four-minute pitch of their business plan to a panel of investor judges in a “Shark Tank” format. PowerPoint slides are not permitted. Think of it as the proverbial “elevator speech.”

After all of the pitches are completed, the judges will give detailed feedback. At the end of the evening, the person with the highest score will receive the opportunity to receive a Business Readiness Assessment coaching session with New Enterprise Forum coaches. Interested in pitching your own idea? Apply here!

Participants

AJ Johnson with Grace Productivity

Andrew Koper with MoreGetsDone

Zanne Ngatchou with iokeHX

Andres Weiss with Homestream

Judges

Joe Tenbusch, Managing Director at Microtech Ventures. Joe’s background spans more than fifteen years across CVC, management consulting, and engineering. Prior to Microtech, he invested in startups and strategic venture funds at Magna International, and advised the U.S. Department of Energy, Tier 1 suppliers, and private equity funds at Plante Moran. Joe has held commercial and engineering roles at Freudenberg, Mubea, and CTS Corporation, and earned his MBA from Northwood University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kettering University.

Micaela Trexler, PhD, Associate Director of Pointe Angels and Principal of MTM Research. Micaela brings over a decade of experience in biomedical research, startups, and investor engagement. At Pointe Angels, she helps lead deal flow, due diligence, and member engagement with early-stage companies across Michigan and beyond. Through MTM Research, she partners with biotech and medtech startups to develop grant proposals, regulatory documentation, and strategic marketing content to support successful fundraising and commercialization. Drawing on her own startup experience and academic background in biomedical engineering, Micaela offers a unique perspective at the intersection of science, strategy, and investment.

Networking

Come join us in person to enjoy food and drink and conversation with members of the local startup community.