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.

Student Pitch Examples from Past Winners

The following examples include student team pitches from years when the competition was virtual. The format has returned to in-person and the judging criteria may have changed. Please visit the competition details for the most current guidelines for the Innovation Showcase and Finalist Pitches.

MWest Challenge 2024 Finalist Pitch Live Stream

Check out the video below to watch the Finalist Pitch presentations from the 2024 competition

MWest Challenge 2023 Finalist Pitch Live Stream

Check out the video below to watch the Finalist Pitch presentations from the 2023 competition.

Finalist Pitch Presentations

7 Minute Pitch Presentation + 3 Minute Q&A
Team presentation with a slide deck

Prosthetic Knee Protection (2021 First Place Winner)
Team Lead Yuhang Yang
Kendall College of Art and Design

Scorpion (2021 Second Place Winner)
Team Lead Elijah Wyant
Cornerstone University

English Made Easier (2021 Third Place Winner)
Team Lead Haoping He
Calvin University

uRiff Finalist Pitch (2020 First Place Winner)
Team Lead Parker Wonser
Kendall College of Art and Design
(Patent Pending 2020)

Mythos Dice Finalist Pitch (2020 Second Place Winner)
Team Lead Mark Tamminga
Grand Rapids Community College

Renewal Co. Finalist Pitch (2020 Third Place Winner)
Team Lead Agustin Parraguez-Huisman
Calvin University

Innovation Showcase Pitch

90 Second Pitch Presentation + 3 Minute Q&A
Team booth with idea poster

The Center for Homeless Research Showcase Pitch
Team Lead Anders Rottschafer
Grand Rapids Community College

Redemption Looms Showcase Pitch (2020 Flight A - First Place Winner)
Team Lead Daniel Kwik
Calvin University

InVenue Showcase Pitch (2020 Flight A - Second Place Winner)
Team Lead Ashlee Tolsma
Cornerstone University

EazyNet Showcase Pitch (2020 Flight A - Third Place Winner)

Piggy Back Showcase Pitch (2020 Flight B - Second Place Winner)
Team Lead Sameer Mall
Calvin University

Carmeleom Showcase Pitch (2020 Flight B - Third Place Winner)
Team Lead Douglas Cain
Calvin University