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UID:167-1789992000-1790096400@the269.com
SUMMARY:Startup Zoo Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit
DESCRIPTION:Founders\, funders and innovators from across the region come together in Kalamazoo for the 2026 Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit\, a two-day celebration of entrepreneurship\, big ideas and the people building what’s next in Michigan. \nTaking place September 21–22\, the Summit brings together more than 100 founders and funders for opportunities to connect\, exchange ideas and explore strategies for funding\, developing and growing the products and companies that could become tomorrow’s major players in Michigan’s economy. \nThe centerpiece of the Summit takes place Tuesday at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, with a full day of conversations and connections focused on strengthening Southwest Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The broader two-day experience also includes two live pitch competitions that give Michigan entrepreneurs the opportunity to put their ideas in the spotlight. \nOn Monday evening\, Pitch Night kicks off the Summit as five founders take the stage for five minutes each\, competing for a $10\,000 prize. \nThen on Tuesday evening\, the momentum continues with PitchMI\, a statewide startup competition presented by the MSU Research Foundation and Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Kalamazoo will host the competition’s AI & Software Semifinal\, where Michigan startups compete for a $250\,000 prize and the opportunity to advance to the PitchMI Championship for a shot at an additional $1 million. \nWhether you’re a founder\, investor\, entrepreneur\, business leader or simply interested in the ideas shaping Michigan’s future\, the Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit offers two days of opportunities to connect with the people building\, funding and supporting what’s next. \nEvent Details\nDates: September 21–22\, 2026\nSummit Programming: Tuesday\, September 22 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.\nLocation: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\nAddress: 314 S. Park St.\, Kalamazoo\, MI 49007 \nRelated Summit Events: \nPitch Night: Monday\, September 21 | 6–8 p.m. \nDetails for Pitch Night can be found here. \nPitchMI: Tuesday\, September 22 | 5–7 p.m. \nDetails for PitchMI can be found here.
URL:https://the269.com/event/entrepreneurship-summit/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S. Park Street\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Innovation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://the269.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/KIA-Lobby.jpg
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DTSTAMP:20260813T181430Z
CREATED:20260812T020900Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T181430Z
UID:169-1790096400-1790103600@the269.com
SUMMARY:PitchMI: AI & Software Semifinal
DESCRIPTION:Watch some of Michigan’s most promising startups take the stage at the PitchMI AI & Software Semifinal\, part of Startup Zoo’s 2026 Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit in Kalamazoo. \nMichigan entrepreneurs will pitch their companies and ideas live for the opportunity to win $250\,000 in prize funding. Kalamazoo serves as the AI & Software stop in the statewide PitchMI competition\, bringing innovative founders together for an evening focused on the technologies and businesses shaping Michigan’s future. \nPresented by the MSU Research Foundation and Michigan Economic Development Corporation\, PitchMI features semifinal competitions across Michigan. The winner of the Kalamazoo semifinal will receive $250\,000 and advance to the PitchMI Championship\, where they’ll have the opportunity to compete for an additional $1 million. \nWhether you’re a founder\, investor\, tech enthusiast or simply curious about what’s being built across Michigan\, PitchMI offers a front-row seat to entrepreneurship and innovation in action. \nPitchMI is part of Startup Zoo’s Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit\, a two-day gathering of founders\, funders and innovators taking place September 21–22 in Kalamazoo. \nEvent Details\nPart of: Startup Zoo’s Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit\nPresented by: MSU Research Foundation & Michigan Economic Development Corporation\nDate: Tuesday\, September 22\, 2026\nTime: 5–7 p.m.\nLocation: Kalamazoo Civic Theatre\nAddress: 329 S. Park St.\, Kalamazoo\, MI 49007\nPrize: $250\,000
URL:https://the269.com/event/pitchmi-ai-software-semifinal/
LOCATION:Civic Theatre\, 329 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Innovation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://the269.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PitchMI-2026-Hero-1200x628-1.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260922T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260922T220000
DTSTAMP:20260813T181402Z
CREATED:20260812T023528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T181402Z
UID:168-1790100000-1790114400@the269.com
SUMMARY:Startup Zoo Pitch Night
DESCRIPTION:See Southwest Michigan entrepreneurship in action at Startup Zoo Pitch Night\, part of the 2026 Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit. \nFive 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. \nHosted 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. \nWhether 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. \nPitch 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. \nEvent Details\nHosted by: Startup Zoo\nDate: Monday\, September 22\, 2026\nTime: 6–8 p.m.\nLocation: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\nAddress: 314 S. Park St.\, Kalamazoo\, MI 49007\nGrand Prize: $10\,000 in equity-free funding
URL:https://the269.com/event/pitch-night/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S. Park Street\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Innovation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://the269.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/584404805_1163515649314551_6208285258157513183_n.jpg
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