Coverage from WMU News, published 2026-01-29.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.: Western Michigan University announced Cultivate 269, an inaugural student pitch competition launched by Kalamazoo Forward Ventures that offers $100,000 in prizes to student founders. Dwayne Powell Jr., the firm’s chief operating officer and main street managing partner, said five of its founders were shaped at Western and framed Kalamazoo as a launchpad rather than a stepping stone. Jeff Breneman, WMU’s vice president for government relations and external partnerships, welcomed the alumni-backed investment.
Marcel Fable Price, the firm’s director of community and strategic engagement, called the effort a bet on untapped student talent and urged submissions from every discipline. Applications through the Cultivate 269 website were open to all current Western students until Friday, Feb. 27, with concepts posted publicly for voting.
Nine finalists: five chosen by an expert committee and four by public vote: were to be named Friday, March 20, and would receive coaching and professionally designed pitch decks from Michigan consulting firm A:LAB. The final pitch event was scheduled for April 10 inside Western Michigan University’s student center gave each finalist six minutes; the judges’ pick earned a $75,000 non-dilutive investment and the public winner $25,000.
