Adrenaline Interactive Wins $1M at PitchMI 2026 Championship in Lansing

Adrenaline Interactive Triumphs in PitchMI Championship with $1 Million Prize

The dynamic entrepreneurial landscape of Michigan took center stage as Adrenaline Interactive emerged victorious in the 2026 PitchMI Championship. This prestigious event, known for its high-energy “Shark Tank” style competition, concluded at Grewal Hall in Lansing, where the Ann Arbor-based startup was awarded a $1 million investment, rounding up its total PitchMI winnings to $1.375 million.

Max Albert, CEO and founder of Adrenaline Interactive, expressed his disbelief and gratitude, stating, “Winning feels surreal. To be honest, I still don’t really believe that I won, because the other companies were just so phenomenal.” He emphasized the significance of this award in helping their mission to redirect advertising dollars back to Michigan.

PitchMI, one of the largest founder-focused startup competitions in the country, seeks to uncover and support Michigan’s most promising startups. The championship is the result of a comprehensive statewide search aimed at fostering the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Gov. Whitmer and members of the MSU Research Foundation, Michigan State University and MEDC celebrate with the PitchMI finalists, judges, and winner Max Albert, CEO and founder of Adrenaline Interactive.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer lauded the event, stating, “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.” She congratulated Adrenaline Interactive and all participants, highlighting the importance of investing in local entrepreneurs.

The journey to the final commenced in the fall of 2025, featuring four regional pitch events across the state. These events attracted 375 applications from over 100 communities, focusing on key growth sectors:

Healthcare & Life Sciences (Grand Rapids): BedConnect, streamlining hospital discharge processes. Learn more

Cleantech & Outdoor Innovation (Traverse City): Electric Outdoors, Inc., creators of a portable off-grid power and water canopy system. Learn more

Mobility, Defense & Advanced Manufacturing (Detroit): General Orbit, developers of simplified satellite navigation systems. Learn more

AI & Software (Ann Arbor): Adrenaline Interactive.

Ben Marchionna, Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer at the MEDC, remarked on the importance of supporting companies like Adrenaline Interactive, which are characterized by ambition and high growth. “PitchMI gives these entrepreneurs a stage that matches the quality of what they’re building,” he said.

Michigan’s entrepreneurial scene is supported by significant investments, including a $60 million fund for early-stage startups and tax credits for small businesses. These initiatives have helped create over 15,800 jobs and 1,400 high-tech companies in the last five years.

In its efforts to provide substantial capital and visibility to startups, the PitchMI event saw attendance from over 75 investors and venture capitalists nationwide. David Washburn, CEO of the MSU Research Foundation, highlighted the competition’s role in helping founders scale their businesses without leaving Michigan.

Adrenaline Interactive, founded in 2024 by Max Albert, specializes in in-game advertising. Their Brand Fusion AI platform automates product placement in games like Fortnite and Roblox, targeting the growing Gen Z demographic who spend more time gaming than on other leisure activities.

The competition awarded over $2.3 million in investment capital, with regional winners receiving $250,000 each, and additional investments from Corewell Health Ventures, Assembly Ventures, and eLab Ventures. The event also provided $400,000 in Google Cloud credits.

PitchMI is set to continue into the 2026-2027 season with industry-specific semifinal rounds, starting in September 2026. More details on participation will be released soon.