West Michigan’s Premier
Pitch Competition
for Student Entrepreneurs
CURRENT WMU STUDENTS
Do you think you have what it takes to win thousands of dollars toward your business?
Cultivate 269® is bringing a whole new energy to Western Michigan University.
A high-impact pitch competition built to find the boldest student founders who are ready to take their ideas from
campus, to community, to the world.
This is your shot.
In year one, nearly $100,000 in non-dilutive investments were awarded to winners to launch, scale, or bring their world-changing business to life — without giving up any ownership.
The Path to the Stage
When the competition is open, submit your idea, and you could be selected as one of the nine finalists who receive pitch preparation and training before the final event.
This is where big ideas stop living in notebooks and start moving into the marketplace.
2026 Pitch competition
the stage WAS set
Making History in Michigan’s Business Ecosystem
Subscribe to our mailing list so you can be the first to hear updates as we look toward 2027!
© 2026 Cultivate 269®. A partnership between Kalamazoo Forward Ventures and Western Michigan University.
*269 is a registered trademark of Discover Kalamazoo.