Startup Zoo Pitch Night

See Southwest Michigan entrepreneurship in action at Startup Zoo Pitch Night, part of the 2026 Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit.

Five founders will take the stage at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts with just five minutes each to pitch their businesses and ideas to a panel of judges. At the end of the night, one founder will walk away with $10,000 in equity-free funding to help take their idea to the next level.

Hosted by Startup Zoo, Pitch Night brings founders, supporters and members of the community together to celebrate big ideas and the people working to turn them into reality.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur yourself or simply interested in discovering what’s being built right here in Southwest Michigan, come support local founders and experience the excitement of a live pitch competition.

Pitch Night is part of the Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit, a two-day gathering of founders, funders and innovators taking place September 21–22 in Kalamazoo.

Event Details

Hosted by: Startup Zoo
Date: Monday, September 22, 2026
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Location: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Address: 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Grand Prize: $10,000 in equity-free funding