Starting Gate
About the program · 1 linked sources
Starting Gate is WMU's year-long student business accelerator. Students test a concept, build operating and financial plans, and meet mentors. The entrepreneurship page says admission is competitive and ideas should be launchable in a short period.
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-10-08); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
Not listed
Equity
Unknown
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-09-20
High confidence
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Reminders
Starting Gate
Get an email before a director-verified deadline for this program, this school, or this state. The program never sees your address.
Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
Starting Gate
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Application and Timing
Applications for 2026-27 were accepted from April 10 to September 20, 2026.
Participants
Open to WMU students, including founders still in the ideation stage. The 2023 story says it is open to all majors. A 2026-27 application page says the program is free.
Funding and Equity
The program page says completers of the 2026-27 year may apply for the Brian Thomas Award to advance the business. The amount and equity terms are not stated. The application page says the accelerator itself is free.
Recent Activity
The application page confirms a 2026-27 cohort. The 2023 story says Starting Gate opened in 2013 and had served its 100th student company.
Known Startups or Winners
Current company names were not on the captured pages.
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
The Brian Thomas Award amount and equity terms are not stated.
Program details
Starting Gate
Starting Gate is WMU's year-long student business accelerator. Students test a concept, build operating and financial plans, and meet mentors. The entrepreneurship page says admission is competitive and ideas should be launchable in a short period.
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
Official page: https://wmich.edu/startinggate
- Starting Gate is a year-long student accelerator.
- The 2026-27 application window closed September 20, 2026.
- The program is described as free to participating students.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Starting Gate at Western Michigan University.
1 source
