Cargo trike maker wins Michigan’s first “Shark Tank” style contest

DETROIT, MI – A Detroit-based designer and manufacturer of ultra-light electric vehicles has won Michigan’s first “Shark Tank” style competition.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, Oct. 24, announced Civilized Cycles as the winner of the “PitchMI” competition. The company will receive a $100,000 award from the state to continue its work.

“Today’s Mobility Conference was a celebration of the collaboration, innovation, and talent investments that are driving the future of mobility forward right here in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “I was proud to announce the winner of our first-ever PitchMI competition, which I first unveiled at the Mackinac Policy Conference earlier this year.”

Civilized Cycles’ flagship product is the Semi-Trike, which state officials say offers the cargo capacity of a van at a fraction of the cost. In addition to being more affordable, state officials say it’s also a more practical and sustainable alternative to moving large amounts of cargo short distances.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that our team has been recognized with this prestigious award. Winning PitchMI is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved,” said Marc Liu, co-founder and chief revenue officer of Civilized Cycles. “This funding will be instrumental in accelerating our mission to revolutionize urban cargo transportation. We’re eager to scale our operations in Michigan and make a positive impact on cities nationwide and beyond.”

Along with the $100,000 prize, Civilized Cycles will also receive a package of complementary corporate, intellectual property and employment legal services from law firm Miller Canfield.

A total of 49 companies applied for this year’s PitchMI competition. Eligible pitches focused on addressing mobility and transportation challenges in the state, focusing on improving safety, affordability and efficiency in how Michiganders travel from point A to point B.

The three other finalists were:

• Boaz Bikes: Boaz Bikes is a micromobility electric scooter with improved design and safety features for use in urban areas. The company is based out of Detroit.
• GEKOT Robotics: GEKOT Robotics is a system of controls, software and sensors for light vehicles (bikes, mopeds, etc.) to improve safety for the rider. The company is based out of Bloomfield Hills.
• Voltaic Marine: Voltaic Marine is an electric boat manufacturer with advanced propulsion and end to end solutions in Traverse City.

“Mobility innovation is critical to the state’s growth, both in terms of opportunities for our workforce and in enabling the movement of people and goods across our great state,” said Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe. “PitchMI serves as a way to amplify and support our state’s entrepreneurs and innovators while being a beacon for others to come and join us.”

A panel of four volunteer judges scored each company during the competition. Those judges were Allison Murdock, mission driven investments director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Melissa Butler, CEO and founder of The Lip Bar; Ben Handzo, founder of SetPiece and Dakota Porter, co-founder of Action Glow.

Each company was scored on innovation, impact, technology maturity and feasibility, market potential, team competence and advancement of the state’s climate and mobility goals, among others.

Whitmer announced the inaugural competition earlier this year as one of three ways the state would be looking to help entrepreneurs be successful.

Future competitions, Whitmer previously said, will also revolve around solving the biggest problems facing Michigan.

On Thursday, Whitmer also announced a new initiative called Changing Lanes that she said will help connect auto workers with new opportunities building electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, or mobility services.

She also announced an expansion of the Michigander Scholars Program, which connects young engineering graduates with opportunities in emerging mobility companies.