In October 2024, Sarovyn founder Keith Walker was selected as one of seven finalists in Pitch Black Detroit, a statewide pitch competition organized by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The event took place on October 3, 2024 at the Wayne State University Industry Innovation Center and featured entrepreneurs presenting their businesses to a panel of judges and a live audience.
Pitch Black Detroit was created to support and elevate Black-owned businesses across Michigan through mentorship, training, and funding opportunities.
Twenty-five businesses were initially selected to participate in the program and received six weeks of pitch development training through the Michigan SBDC’s Uplift Michigan initiative. After preliminary rounds, seven finalists advanced to present their business on stage during the final competition.
Walker presented the vision behind Sarovyn and its approach to creating culturally grounded wellness and movement experiences.
At the conclusion of the event, Sarovyn received the People’s Choice Award, recognizing the audience’s support for the concept and its potential impact within Detroit’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The recognition added to a growing list of public acknowledgments for the project as it continues to develop its long-term vision.