Saginaw Soup

06/23/2026

Who will "Think Big" and take home the grand prize?

Don't miss this year's Saginaw SOUP Pitch Competition! Come out to hear from incredible emerging local entrepreneurs and learn all about their newest endeavors.

Your $5 admission goes directly toward the Audience Choice winner, meaning YOU get to help fund Saginaw's next local business!

🗓 Thursday, June 25th
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 SVRC Marketplace (2nd Floor Ballroom)

See you there! 👇

06/22/2026

06/20/2026

Consider this your official invitation to the Saginaw SOUP Annual Pitch Competition!

📅 Thursday, June 25
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 SVRC Marketplace – 2nd Floor Ballroom

Join us for an exciting evening as our participants take the stage to showcase the businesses they've been developing over the past several months. This is your chance to support local innovators, connect with community members, and see firsthand what's in store for the future of our region.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, community supporter, or simply curious about the amazing work happening in Saginaw, we'd love to see you there!

Bring a friend and be part of a night dedicated to creativity, collaboration, and community growth.

06/02/2026

Our 2026 cohort has completed all but one of their training workshop sessions. They are officially in the home stretch as they prepare for the upcoming Saginaw SOUP Pitch Competition, taking place on June 25th at The SVRC Marketplace

Throughout the program, participants have worked diligently to address critical challenges across almost every sector of their business models. Key milestones include defining target demographics, developing effective outreach strategies to reach their target audience, and analyzing financials to ensure a strong understanding of startup costs and bookkeeping.
Thanks to the ongoing dedication of our mentors, these up and coming small businesses are well equipped and strategically positioned for long term success. We look forward to celebrating their hard work at the pitch competition, which the public is encouraged to attend. There is a $5 cost to attend, but the $5 will go toward who the audience chooses as their favorite pitch.

Here is our current list of participants! Please support them in their business journey:

Xavier Rozay Holmes - XDH Photography
Parys Rogan - UpLoading
Sandra Robinson - Just Pen It Shop
Tanya Howard & Brandi Hayes - BLACK BREW CAFE
Christian Hoyt - Blue Collar AI
Alycia Norton- Purradise Cat Cafe
Chareese Mahalic- Lollipops Indoor Playground
Alona Simmons- Full Figure Sensations
India Collins - TBA
LaRosa Beatty - Tastes Like Branding

We also want to give a huge shout-out to Old Town Distillery by Wonder and Miles Market! Thank you both for graciously opening your spaces and hosting our networking meet-ups. We love supporting local businesses that support our community!

04/17/2026

🚨 LAST CALL, Saginaw Entrepreneurs! 🚨
Today is the final day to submit your application for the upcoming Saginaw SOUP cohort!
If you have a business idea or a growing startup, now is the time to tap into the "grit and grind" of our community and turn your hustle into a legacy.
Why apply?
Saginaw SOUP is more than just a "one-and-done" pitch contest—it is a comprehensive support system designed to help you secure the capital and connections you need to scale.

Participants receive:
Targeted Programming: Exclusive workshops to master your business plan, marketing, and financial forecasting.
Strategic Networking: Direct access to a powerful network of Saginaw County leaders and mentors.
Funding Opportunities: A chance to compete for cash prizes (over $40K awarded to date).

Are you eligible?
✅ For-profit business based in Saginaw County.
✅ Early-stage venture (less than $1M in private investment and $2.5M in recent revenue).
✅ Entrepreneur aged 18+ ready to commit to the program timeline.

Don't wait for the "perfect" time, stop waiting and start tapping into the resources available in your own backyard.
The application deadline is tonight, April 17th, at 11:59 PM.

How to apply: Download the application and email it directly to [email protected]
Application:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RytDy63QyOScftLZa9zT0Gh5esrKceNT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107034757122439581040&rtpof=true&sd=true

04/01/2026

𝔾𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕓𝕚𝕘 𝕓𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕒? 𝕃𝕖𝕥’𝕤 𝕝𝕒𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕙 𝕚𝕥!

Saginaw SOUP wants to assist you in turning your dream business into a reality and we’ve officially extended our deadline!
You now have until 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟳𝘁𝗵 to submit your application to join our new cohort of entrepreneurs.

This is your chance to recieve 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 personalized business counseling, present your concept to a supportive local audience and compete for the funding you need to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.

Don't miss this opportunity to turn your "𝙐𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝" into reality.

Application: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RytDy63QyOScftLZa9zT0Gh5esrKceNT/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ6AFhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtc0pqUHg4RGdiNm42Zlp0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiBxfzsKSrwewP8-rb28JaggjWjzgnn-Glc1t4_F2ybx2iHgHJdDECHnkaUv_aem_7_xKJRGxMgHYEcvLQudR1g

Please download and email completed document to: [email protected]

For more information please visit our website ( saginaw-mi.com/Saginaw-SOUP ) or reach out to [email protected]

03/30/2026

It isn’t too late to apply for the upcoming 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘄 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗣 cohort. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to accelerate your business or transition from aspiring entrepreneur to business owner!

For more information, visit: www.saginaw-mi.com/Saginaw-SOUP or Email: [email protected]

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RytDy63QyOScftLZa9zT0Gh5esrKceNT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107034757122439581040&rtpof=true&sd=true

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆:

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 the application document linked above.

𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁 all sections.

𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 your completed form to [email protected]