Coverage from WMUK, published 2026-01-30.
Cultivate 269, an initiative created by the Kalamazoo-based investment firm Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, opened applications for a student pitch competition carrying $100,000 in total prize money, WMUK reported. Any currently enrolled Western Michigan University student may apply regardless of academic major, with submissions closing February 27. Organizers planned to name nine finalists on March 20: five picked by a panel of experts and four determined by public voting.
Those finalists were scheduled to present their business concepts at the WMU Student Center on April 10. The judges’ top choice was set to receive $75,000, while the entry favored by the public would receive $25,000.
The report noted that participating students would keep full ownership of their businesses, indicating the awards carry no equity requirement. The article was written by Annabella Tetner, an intern at the station and a final-year Western Michigan University student studying digital media and journalism.
