M West Challenge

West Michigan's Student Entrepreneurship Competition

Welcome to the 2023 MWest Challenge, a student venture competition designed to create cross collaboration between students that span across several universities from West Michigan. Through MWest, entrepreneurially minded students are able to develop and grow new ventures based on their own ideas. MWest involves eight West Michigan colleges and universities, representing 75,000 students from: Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art and Design, Davenport University, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Kuyper College, and Hope College.

A West Michigan Collaboration

The MWest Challenge is facilitated by an informal consortium of West Michigan-based colleges and universities representing Aquinas College, Calvin University, Cornerstone University, Davenport University, Grace Christian University, Grand Rapids Community College, and Ferris State University. Educators are also joined by community organizations with a mission focused on community, economic, and talent development, including The Michigan State Research Foundation/The Bridge and Startup Garage. Our purpose is to enhance the business and economic culture in West Michigan via educational, occupational, and entrepreneurial efforts in a collaborative, cohesive, community-oriented spirit - synergized by collective organizational strengths. The primary focus is fostering and promoting entrepreneurship and venture creation on the collegiate level in the West Michigan area.


Guiding Principle
The overall intent of this arrangement is to work collaboratively to promote networking and to facilitate an open exchange of ideas to enhance talent and economic development in West Michigan through higher education.


Participation Guidelines
The MWest Challenge is a regional effort that is focused on offering programs and best practices to enhance the local communities in West Michigan. Participation in MWest is open to higher education institutions that are based and headquartered in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Region 4 West Michigan, which comprises the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. The MWest steering committee shall determine whether, and to what extent, other educational institutions outside these counties may participate in the MWest Challenge.

Community Partners and Sponsors

Thank you to the community sponsors who help support our students and the growth of the West Michigan startup ecosystem.

Collegiate Partners and Sponsors

Thank you to all of the schools who support the MWest Challenge experience. All undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at a sponsor school are eligible to participate in the MWest Challenge. All faculty and staff at a sponsor school are welcome to attend the Competition event.