Startup Garage, 1810 E Beltline Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

01/12/2026

Our 2025 Year in Review & Impact Report is now live on our blog, highlighting the stories, milestones, and community that continue to shape our work along with a look at how we’re stewarding what’s been entrusted to us.

If you’ve partnered with us, supported our mission, or are curious about what we’re building together, we’d love for you to take a look.

👉 Read the full Year in Review & Impact Report here: https://www.startupgarage.org/sg-blog/2025-year-in-review-amp-impact-report

Thank you for being part of the journey, we’re excited for what’s ahead!

01/09/2026

As we reflect on 2025, we’re incredibly grateful for the leaders and speakers who shared their time, wisdom, and experience with the Startup Garage community this past year.

Your willingness to show up, tell the real story, share your faith, and pour into founders made a lasting impact—and we are better because of it. Thank you for partnering with us to equip and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.

We’re excited to share our 2025 Year in Review & Impact Report, highlighting the stories, growth, and community made possible through partnerships like yours.

👉 View the full report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q8NTGQSmYhRqOvEfw13-qw6ehLoQZYCb/view?usp=drive_link

01/08/2026

Need a clearer elevator pitch? A more compelling pitch deck? Or alignment your team can actually see and rally around?

In this hands-on session, Dayna Beal will guide attendees through Strategic Vision Mapping and you won’t just learn the framework, you’ll begin building your own vision map in real time.

This workshop is typically delivered to organizations as a high-value strategic engagement. Through a generous partnership with Dayna, Startup Garage is excited to offer this experience at no cost to our community.

If you’re a founder, leader, or organization looking to communicate with clarity, confidence, and conviction, this session is for you!

👉 RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBOyflgi4khAQ5WNFti7jw1PIEP0dfMSDsV3rWRFZ0UjmPCQ/viewform

10/14/2025

TODAY!

Mission-Driven Founders: You weren’t meant to do this journey alone.

Join us today at 3PM for an inspiring afternoon of connection and conversation on Faith & Innovation: Entrepreneurial Journeys in Grand Rapids.

📍 Where: Prince Conference Center & Hotel
🕒 When: Tuesday, October 14 @ 3PM

Come connect with founders, investors, and community leaders as we hear real-world stories from startup to exit.

🎤 Panelists:

Early Stage: Lou Vesperini – GoKafé
Mid Stage: Tom Sikkema, BSN, RN – Ride YourWay
Late Stage: Phil Johnson – Stay Floreo
Investor: Carl Erickson – Atomic Object
Hosted by Jon VerLee, Founder of Startup Garage.

✨ Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation around faith, innovation, and redemptive entrepreneurship in West Michigan.

10/14/2025

Vote for BiliRoo in the Collegiate Inventors Competition!

We’re thrilled to celebrate our recent Startup Garage graduate, Daniel John, who will be representing Calvin University at the 2025 Collegiate Inventors Competition next week with his innovative venture, BiliRoo!

BiliRoo is making waves — and now they need your vote!
The People’s Choice Award is open, and you can vote once per day until Wednesday, October 15.

👉 Vote here: https://lnkd.in/d9sVym2Q

🎥 Learn more about BiliRoo: https://youtu.be/5H-8_GMsfkY

Let’s rally behind Daniel and show support for student innovation that makes a real impact!

09/29/2025

📅 Speaker Spotlight: Grant Koops
Founder of Hiver | Building Connection in a Disconnected World

This Wednesday: What if tech could make us more human — not less?

Grant Koops, founder of Hiver, is on a mission to restore authentic connection through technology. His social app helps people find and join meaningful local gatherings rooted in belonging, vulnerability, and real community.

This week at Startup Garage, Grant will share how his faith shapes his vision for human-centered innovation — and why designing for depth over clicks might be the most radical thing you can do in today’s startup world.

🗓️ Join us Wednesday night to hear how Christ-centered entrepreneurship can reshape how we connect, create, and build community.

09/24/2025

Startup Garage Workshop TONIGHT!

Join us at 6:30 PM at the Calvin University School of Business for an evening of food, learning, and inspiration.

Here’s what’s happening:
- Dinner provided – come hungry!
- Hear the startup journey of Founder Jon VerLee and CEO Zachariah Booker
- Learn their strategies and tips for finding and pursuing a startup idea
- Work through our Turning Vision into Venture workbook
- Discover how to start your business with a pitch deck in mind

Whether you already have an idea or are just curious about entrepreneurship, this is the perfect place to get equipped and inspired.

📍 Calvin University | BU 208, School of Business
📅 Wednesday | 6:30 PM

Come ready to connect, learn, and take the first step toward turning your vision into venture! 🚀

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09/23/2025

🌟 Founder Spotlight: Ellie Batts Photography 🌟

We are so proud to celebrate the incredible growth of Calvin University Startup Garage founder, Ellie Batts!

Ellie recently shared an exciting milestone — she officially crossed $10,000 in sales for 2025 (already up 19.47% compared to 2024) all while completing a full-time summer internship. 🙌

And she’s not stopping there… with more sessions and a wedding still to come this fall, her business is on track to grow even further.

Ellie credits her time at Startup Garage — the mentorship, accountability, and support — as key drivers in helping her take her photography business to the next level:

“The class really helped keep me accountable in continuing to grow my business, and the assistance in equipment investment was super helpful. Your support, feedback, and just being part of this made a big difference.”

Ellie’s story is a perfect example of what happens when vision meets commitment. We’re honored to walk alongside her as she builds a thriving, purpose-driven business.

👏 Let’s give Ellie a big shout out in the comments below!

09/22/2025

Startup Garage Weekly Gathering

Join us this Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the CAlvin University School of Business for an evening of food, learning, and inspiration.

Here’s what’s happening:
- Dinner provided – come hungry!
- Hear the startup journey of Founder Jon VerLee and CEO Zach Booker
- Learn their strategies and tips for finding and pursuing a startup idea
- Work through our Turning Vision into Venture workbook
- Discover how to start your business with a pitch deck in mind

Whether you already have an idea or are just curious about entrepreneurship, this is the perfect place to get equipped and inspired.

📍 Calvin University | BU 208, School of Business
📅 Wednesday | 6:30 PM

Come ready to connect, learn, and take the first step toward turning your vision into venture! 🚀

09/15/2025

🚀 Mission-Driven Tech: How Tech Founders Lead with Purpose
📅 Wednesday, September 17 | ⏰ 4:00–5:00 PM
📍 Tech Week GR | City Innovations HQ

What happens when startups are built for more than profit?

Join us for a candid, energizing conversation with tech founders who are building ventures infused with mission, purpose, and values. You’ll hear real stories, practical habits, and honest reflections on what it looks like to grow a business without losing your why.

💡 Discussion topics include:
- What does it mean to lead with purpose in today’s tech world?
- How do founders stay true to their values in high-growth environments?
- Real-life examples of when mission shaped a decision, pivot, or company culture

Bonus: We’ll be giving away two $500 grants at the end of the event to support mission-driven businesses making an impact in their communities.

Hosted by Jon VerLee, Founder of Startup Garage
Panelists: Dan Hungerford, Lee Horning, Josh Barker

Whether you’re a founder, future entrepreneur, or mission-minded professional, you’ll walk away inspired and equipped with ideas to build boldly and lead with conviction.

👉 Secure your spot today: https://www.techweekgr.com/2025-events/mission-driven-tech-how-values-shape-innovation

09/08/2025

Fall Kickoff: Student Founders in Action!

We kicked off the fall semester with an amazing dinner and conversation with our Calvin University Startup Garage crew — a group of driven, faith-filled college students who aren’t waiting until graduation to build something meaningful.

These students are already turning ideas into real businesses, exploring what it means to be entrepreneurs with purpose, right here on campus.

We can’t wait to walk alongside them this semester as they validate, create, and launch ventures that reflect their values, solve real problems, and make an impact.

College is a launchpad and these students are ready to build.

08/29/2025

🔥 The next generation of entrepreneurs is ready.

Today, Startup Garage had the opportunity to connect with freshman business students at Calvin University during their Meet Your Major event, and the entrepreneurial energy in the room was undeniable.

When asked, “Who’s had a side hustle or wants to run a business someday?” over 75% of the students raised their hand. That’s the kind of bold, visionary thinking we love to see.

We're excited to continue the conversation at Cokes and Clubs next Thursday, where we’ll be sharing more about what it means to be part of the Startup Garage community at Calvin this fall... a place for students to explore, build, and launch purpose-driven ventures rooted in faith.

Let’s build the future together!

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