First GVSU student entrepreneur accelerator program finishes strong despite setbacks

(Featured Photo Courtesy of 77 Idea Lab Youtube Page) By Kayla Sosa Students who want to solve a problem in their community or society through a product or service have a new opportunity through the 77 Idea Lab at Grand…

GV alum, business owner spreads positivity through snail mail

By Kayla Sosa Shannon Cohen is known around West Michigan for her positive attitude and inspiring leadership by the work she’s done through her book, podcast and public speaking engagements. With the recent societal shift due to coronavirus, Cohen has…

Local veteran building bladesmithing business

By Kayla Sosa A student in the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab program is building up his side business in custom knife making.  Shawn Moulenbelt, 52, might be part of the weekly entrepreneurship program at Grand Valley State University, but he’s…

Matt Gira: Gearing up student entrepreneurs for success

By Kayla Sosa   With years of business experience, and waves of failure and success, entrepreneur Matt Gira is settling into his new role as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the Grand Valley State University Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.…

Q&A | Hickory Tree Farm Apiaries

By Kayla Sosa Nick Kaminski is the recent grand prize winner of the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab at Grand Valley State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Before MVE, Kaminski was involved with Heroes to Hives, a program that teaches veterans how to…

Born Blessing: Supporting women during their path to and through motherhood

By Kayla Sosa A local woman is one of the recent winners of the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab Showcase and Pitch Competition at Grand Valley State University. Ellie Dragstra wanted to become a doula - or maternal support practitioner - for…

Veteran entrepreneurs awarded in second MVE pitch competition

By Kayla Sosa A second pitch competition concluded Monday night for the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab at Grand Valley State University. Four participants took home winnings after a night of showcasing their business ideas, and then a timed pitch competition in…

CEO of DTE Energy speaks on campus

By Kayla Sosa The top executive at Michigan-based energy company, DTE Energy, spoke to a group of Grand Valley State University students, staff and local business professionals. The topic of the talk was about the “soft skills” in business being…

Q&A with Draper Grand Prize Winner Katarina Samardzija

By Kayla Sosa Grand Valley State University’s own Katarina Samardzija recently took home the grand prize award of $25,000 at the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs. The competition was held at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts on April 5.…