Upcoming Events
speaker series: Jim Mallekoote
Wednesday, April 1
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Room: BU 103
Jim Mallekoote spent nearly 30 years at Apple, serving as Senior Director of Retail Sales and working directly with Steve Jobs in both Apple’s early and revival eras. He played a key role in launching the original iPod team in 2002, helping Apple transition from a computer company to a consumer technology leader. Jim will share behind-the-scenes stories and leadership lessons from one of the most innovative companies in the world.
Workshop: Pitch Like A Pro
Wednesday, April 8
6:30pm-8:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
The Pitch Like a Pro Workshop offers an engaging, hands‑on environment for anyone looking to build confidence in their pitch - whether they’re new to pitching or simply want extra practice. Participants receive practical guidance and supportive feedback to help them communicate their ideas clearly and compellingly. While the workshop is open to all aspiring pitchers, there is a special invitation for students competing in MWest the following week, giving them a valuable opportunity to refine their pitch, strengthen their delivery, and gain added confidence before stepping into the competition.
Mwest Challenge
Wednesday, April 25
5:00pm-9:00pm
Grand Rapids Community College
151 Fountain St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The MWest Challenge Event begins with the Innovation Showcase from 5:00pm-6:30pm, where attendants can hear from 28 student teams from colleges across West Michigan as they present their business ideas in an interactive, expo‑style setting. The evening then builds to the Finalist Pitch Competition from 6:45pm-8:15pm, featuring the top seven teams selected to deliver full pitches on stage as they compete head‑to‑head for top honors and a share of $11,000+ in prize money. While teams have already been selected, anyone is welcome to attend. Parking passes are provided at check in for the Grand Rapids Community College Ramp!
Workshop: Build an app in two hours
Tuesday, April 21
5:00pm-7:00pm
Grace Christian University
1011 Aldon St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49509
In this hands-on workshop, Jon VerLee will guide early-stage founders and aspiring entrepreneurs through the process of turning an app idea into a functional MVP. Using modern tools and practical frameworks, you’ll learn how to move from concept to creation quickly - no technical experience necessary. By the end, you’ll walk away with a working MVP you can begin testing, validating, and refining with real users.
speaker series: Sheena Brown
Wednesday, April 22
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Room: BU 103
Sheena Brown is the founder of Fatirah’s Designs and a creative visionary with over 20 years of experience designing and producing transformational events. A former special education educator turned entrepreneur, Sheena blends artistic excellence with deep care for client experience. Recognized in national and local publications, she will share her journey of building a creative business rooted in vision, purpose, and excellence.
Build In a Day: App Challenge
Saturday, April 25
10:00am-4:00pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Room: BU 203
This challenge is a fast‑paced, hands‑on experience where participants go from idea to working app to live pitch - all in a single day. Teams of up to three will use AI‑powered tools to define a real problem, build an MVP from scratch, and present their product to the room with guidance from experienced founders and operators. Open to aspiring founders, students, professionals, and curious builders (no advanced coding required), the event culminates in live pitches and awards, with one winning team earning $5,000 to continue building. Applications are required, and spots are limited to 10 teams. Apply here by April 18.
Lunch and learn: Fraud prevention
Wednesday, May 6
11:30am-1:00pm
Bamboo Grand Rapids
2 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
5th Floor
This FREE fraud-prevention lunch and learn features Michael Moll, CPP, CFE, Macatawa Bank Security Officer and former U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer. Drawing from real-world cases, Michael will break down the four most common elements of fraud, what warning signs to watch for, and how to avoid becoming a victim. This event is sponsored by Macatawa Bank, hosted by Startup Garage in collaboration with Bamboo and the Grand Rapids Chamber as part of Small Business Week. Lunch will be provided. The event will take place in downtown Grand Rapids; please note that attendees will need to pay for parking. Parking instructions are attached below.
LinkedIn: Michael Moll