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The year-long program gives �鶹��ýs confidential guidance and advice on key areas such as business planning, market research and financial analysis to help them develop and grow their startup companies, as well as prepare for pitch competitions and talking with potential investors. Starting Gate is open to �鶹��ýs of all majors, which creates a great synergy as �鶹��ýs with different talents connect and share their business concepts.

“Through the support and guidance of Starting Gate, I am working toward several key milestones in my business,” says Bartek Scheibe, a senior. “I have learned how to establish a strong and engaged community for my startup, The Polish Express. I am also working to increase brand awareness and diversify revenue streams. The accelerator’s support has been crucial in helping me navigate the many obstacles that arise during the process of building a business.”

Located right within the Haworth College of Business, the SBDC is easily accessible for WMU �鶹��ýs. Its statewide business network connects �鶹��ýs with industry experts, mentors and other resources to help them succeed during and after their college careers.

“When working with �鶹��ýs, I try to be the mentor I wish I would have met at that point in my life: Someone who would tell me to ignore what other people think, get out from behind the computer, talk to clients and build something you will be proud of,” says Bob Armbrister, B.B.A.’06, MBA’13, president and CEO of SPARK Business Works.

“I also like to ask �鶹��ýs tough questions about their business ideas, like why they want to start the venture and what success looks like for them. This type of perspective has changed many of my business plans for the better! The �鶹��ýs who take advantage of the program gain so much knowledge and experience.”

This past year there were seven companies in the accelerator, representing a range of businesses. A new addition this year is that �鶹��ýs were able to request independent study of up to three credits for their work on their business through Starting Gate.

Students meet weekly, and each meeting begins with a discussion of “wins, losses and pivots,” which gives the entrepreneurs the opportunity to discuss the status of their businesses, the challenges they are facing and how they navigated those challenges.

“When I first joined Starting Gate, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to achieve with my crypto-mining startup, but I wasn’t quite sure how to get there,” says senior Payton Walker. “Thanks to the support and resources provided by the program, I was able to turn my idea into a reality, launching CryptoShovel.app, an app that makes it easy for anyone to start mining crypto and earning rewards within days.”

“The guest speakers and weekly structure not only provided me with inspiration but also showed me that individuals in similar positions have been able to create impactful businesses,” says Walker. “The program has been an invaluable resource throughout my startup journey.”

Collaboration, networking and learning from one another’s experiences are central to Starting Gate, according to Sarah Forrest, business consultant for the SBDC. “Overall, the cohort experience in the accelerator is a valuable learning opportunity for �鶹��ýs, providing them with the tools, knowledge and support they need to be successful in their ventures.”