Starting Gate

Starting Gate students and mentors are listening to pitch presentations in the Haymarket downtown location.

Events

All workshops are held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in 2150 Schneider Hall (Dean's Conference Room) at the Haworth College of Business, unless otherwise noted. These events are open to all WMU students, even those not participating in the full accelerator program, by registering no later than noon on the day of each workshop. Additionally, business students may attend for SPuRS credit.

Starting Gate
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5429 USA
(269) 387-5860

Fall 2025 schedule

Starting Gate Information Night

September 8 | Tamara Davis, director of Starting Gate, WMU
Register

Excellent customer services: Key to your success

October 13 | Advia Credit Union
Register

Getting unstuck

October 20 | Beth Smith, Department of Management, WMU
Register

The value of the customer value proposition

October 27 | Dr. Marcel M. Zondag, JD, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing, WMU
Register

Digital marketing tools for entrepreneurs

November 3 | Dr. Scott Cowley, associate professor of marketing, WMU
Register

Tools for being a highly effective workplace communicator

November 10 | Trisha Mitchner, founder of Be Here Now with Trisha, LLC
Register

Accessing capital in today's economic environment—Panel Discussion

November 24 | Scott Petersen, commercial market manager, Arbor Credit Union, and Mike Gerfen, director of Ka-Zoo Angels
Register