Collegiate Cohorts

A logo with a red shield that has a white and yellow stylized letter M, and the year 1876 below it.

Calvin University

GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Website: Startup Garage at Calvin

Startup Garage Implemented: 2022
Program: Accredited Course
Entrepreneur-in-Residence: Jon VerLee
Administrative Director: Julie Adkins
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Snyder

Portfolio of Student Founders

Exterior of Calvin University School of Business building with modern architecture, glass windows, and a sign displaying the school's name.
Logo of Grace Christian University featuring a cross within a circular design.

Grace Christian University

GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Website: Grace Christian University

Startup Garage Implemented: 2025
Program: Club
Point of Contact: Fallon McMurray

A modern building with large windows and stone accents, surrounded by landscaped bushes and trees, with a parking lot and flagpoles, during sunset.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING

Faith

•

Purpose

•

Growth

•

Learning

•

Faith • Purpose • Growth • Learning •

Every entrepreneur’s journey is different—but the value of encouragement, clarity, community, and support stays the same. These are real words from student founders who found the courage to start, grow, and dream inside Startup Garage—and who were reminded that business can be both bold and deeply personal.

Faith & Purpose

  • "Startup Garage was one of the most influential parts of my entrepreneurial journey with BiliRoo... Hearing from other founders and seeing faith and entrepreneurship integrated so thoughtfully every week pushed me to keep going."

    Daniel J.

  • "Calvin Startup Garage has transformed the way I think about entrepreneurship and faith... Together, they are meaningful innovation that meets real human needs while glorifying God."

    Haleema J.

  • "This semester enabled me to grow more than I have any other semester, both spiritually and professionally."

    Jack N.

  • "Start-Up Garage gave me a space to dream big, fail small, and grow in community."

    Karen B.

  • "The practical tools I learned at Startup Garage helped me understand the bigger picture—how faith and entrepreneurship can work together."

    Katherine P.

  • "Startup Garage helped me grow personally and pushed me further down my faith walk."

    Nick L.

  • "As I move towards graduation, I carry this class's lessons with me... I have learned that tangible success is not measured in exits or valuations but in lives that are changed—mine included."

    Haleema J.

  • "I am far more curious about entrepreneurship as a career moving forward... it wasn’t until I joined the Startup Garage that I realized this is what God’s plan had in store for me."

    Jack N.

  • "Entrepreneurship became less about building an app and more about building me... letting your values shape your vision."

    Karen B.

  • "I am excited to demolish all the near-impossible standards I’ve internalized and let God be the exclusive author..."

    Katherine P.

Entrepreneurial Growth & Learning

  • "The chutes and ladders framework helped me clearly identify that I was in the MVP stage and gave me the tools and mindset to begin scaling strategically."

    Daniel J.

  • "The idea of having freedom and influence in business has made me more excited about the prospect of continuing to run my own company."

    Ellie B.

  • "This class has helped me learn practical skills and gain lots of knowledge revolving around business ownership and entrepreneurship."

    Ephraim D.

  • "The community around Calvin’s Start-Up Garage was essential... The weekly check-ins, feedback, and shared encouragement kept me going."

    Karen B.

  • "Watching my income grow and seeing my business actually start to generate real revenue gave me a glimpse into what’s possible."

    Ephraim D.

  • "Jon’s advice in Startup Garage to 'fall in love with the problem I’m trying to solve' has been life-changing for me."

    Naomi R.

  • "The Startup Garage provided me with a space to wrestle with my fears, gain practical business insights, and grow in my confidence as a person and potential entrepreneur."

    Katherine P.

  • "Startup Garage provided me with the perfect chance to take my first leap, surrounding me with like-minded students and providing support and encouragement from experienced mentors."

    Nathan H.

  • "I’m truly grateful for my time at Startup Garage... I believe that the lessons I’ve learned will play a key role in my future growth as both a person and an entrepreneur."

    Katherine P.

  • "I learned this semester that maintaining balance is crucial for long-term success as an entrepreneur."

    Melissa S.

  • "The people I’ve met at Calvin and through Startup Garage have been essential."

    Naomi R.

  • "I always left Startup Garage meetings inspired and equipped to take the next step forward"

    Daniel J.

  • "At the start of the semester, I viewed entrepreneurship as this vast, gray expanse... now entrepreneurship feels much more tangible and achievable."

    Nathan H.

  • "I just want to take a moment to thank the entire Startup Garage team, this has been a truly incredible experience."

    Nick L.

  • "Startup Garage has shown me many examples of entrepreneurs who have made a positive impact on the world around them—and how I could do the same."

    Ellie B.

  • "I leave this class more confident in my ability to pursue a business, more reflective about my values, and more equipped with the tools to keep going when things get tough."

    Karen B.

  • "The Startup Garage provided me with a space to wrestle with my fears, gain practical business insights, and grow in my confidence as a person and potential entrepreneur."

    Katherine P.