Coverage from WMUK, published 2026-03-30.
Western Michigan University said Monday that nine of its students had advanced as finalists in a competition offering a combined $100,000 in entrepreneurial funding. The contest, called Cultivate 269, is a student pitch program underwritten by the Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, the investment firm behind the program. The application window began in January, and the university reported that 49 students submitted proposals.
Those ideas spanned a wide range of business concepts, from a lounge built around alcohol-free drinks to management software aimed at union construction contractors. Five of the finalists were picked by a panel of judges and will compete for a $75,000 top award, while the remaining four advanced through a public vote and will compete separately for a $25,000 award. All nine were slated to present at a public pitch night scheduled for April 10.
Ahead of that event, each finalist was to receive mentorship from a consulting firm to help sharpen their presentations. The station’s report was filed by news intern Elliot Russell, who covers the Kalamazoo area for WMUK.
