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

Setting sail: a business launch story

September 29 | Parker Lammers, founder of Blue Vista Marine Services, LLC
Register

From student to successful entrepreneur

October 13 | Payton Walker, president and CEO of Specialty Cups
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