Startup Garage Website Content (Home Page).png

Expanding
Christ-Centered Entrepreneurship

A nonprofit dedicated to developing redemptive entrepreneurs by equipping early-stage,
faith-driven founders through a clear pathway of events, intentional connections,
and our small groups called The Forge.

Contact Us

WELCOME

A word from our founder

Wondering what Startup Garage is really about? Our founder, Jon VerLee, would love to welcome you in and share why this work matters and how we walk with founders who want their faith and what they are building to be one whole thing.

THE STARTUP GARAGE PATHWAY

Wherever you are, there’s a next step

Everything we do fits into a three-layer pathway. Each layer serves a different need and together they form a journey from curiosity to transformation.

A group of men on stage holding a large check, with audience members visible in the foreground. The check is made out to Biliroo for one thousand dollars from Calvin Startups. The stage backdrop displays a logo and some text.

THE LAUNCHPAD

Events

Weekly gatherings where founders first meet us and where the wider community stays connected. Fireside chats, hands-on workshops, pitch competitions, office hours, and networking opportunities.

A group of diverse young people attending a seminar or workshop in a modern, well-lit conference room with large windows. Some are sitting at round tables, eating or listening attentively, while others are standing or seated in chairs against the wall. They are engaged in the event, with notebooks, drinks, and snacks on the tables.

THE TOOLKIT

Connections

The practical scaffolding founders need beyond events. 1:1 coaching with vetted volunteer coaches, a growing library of redemptive resources, curated event recommendations, and partner discounts.

A group of ten people, including children and adults, standing and smiling for a photo inside a room with a stone fireplace and a modern painting hanging on the wall behind them.

THE HEART

The Forge

Small groups of 6–8 founders walking together with a vetted group leader over the long haul. This is where transformation happens and where faith and work become one whole thing.

Events build relational soil. Connections give founders practical tools.
The Forge is where founders are formed.

Our Unique Approach

  • Open Bible with pages fanned out, resting on a dark surface.

    Christ-Centered

    Everything we do is rooted in faith. At Startup Garage, we believe business is one of the most powerful tools for expanding God's kingdom and that the way you build matters just as much as what you build. We walk alongside founders as they develop a biblical foundation for how they lead, make decisions, and serve others through their work. This isn't a program with a faith label on it. It's a community where Christ is genuinely at the center.

  • Close-up of a person's hands typing on a laptop keyboard, with multiple computer screens in the background.

    Ideation & Early Stage

    Most resources are built for founders who already have traction. We build for the ones who are just getting started… the ideators, the dreamers, the people who feel called to something but don't yet know the next step. Our founders are typically pre-revenue, still shaping their idea, and figuring out what they don't know. That's exactly who we're here for. You don't need a polished pitch or a proven product to belong here. You just need a vision and a willingness to build.

  • Group of young adults happy and smiling while working together at a table in a library or classroom, with bookshelves in the background.

    It's All Free

    We believe finances should never be a barrier to joining a Christ-centered community of builders. Our founders are bootstrapping, taking leaps of faith, and stretching every dollar, and we think that's exactly the moment they need support most. That's why everything Startup Garage offers is completely free. No tuition, no membership fees, no hidden costs. Just the resources, relationships, and guidance you need to take your next step.

Two men speaking at a public event, one holding a microphone and wearing a black t-shirt, the other with a microphone in hand, both wearing black t-shirts.

OUR STORY

Building Businesses that Reflect the Gospel

We exist to develop redemptive entrepreneurs — founders building businesses that don't just succeed, but heal. What started as a program at Calvin University has expanded to serve students and working professionals across West Michigan and beyond as a 501(C)3 non-profit.

We close the gap between faith and business, demonstrating that companies can be both financially viable and deeply redemptive.

Read our full story

"Through Startup Garage, I found a community of believers whose values, journeys, and trials didn’t just shape how I see business; they transformed how I see purpose. In their startups, failures, and perseverance, I saw what it means to walk in faith, trust in prayer, and boldly take the next step God places in front of you. It’s something no classroom could ever teach." - Macy G.

WHAT’S NEXT

Upcoming Events

See All Events

Find your next step

A group of people, including a smiling man with glasses, sitting around a table in a discussion or meeting. Others are partially visible, with some wearing masks and glasses.

For Founders

You have an idea, or you're already building. Step into the pathway — start with an event, request a coach, or join a Forge group near you.
Set up a virtual meeting with the Executive Director to find out how Startup Garage can support you in your entrepreneurial journey!

GET INVOLVED

People attending a meeting or workshop in a classroom or conference room, with some writing on a whiteboard and others sitting or standing, with food and drinks on the tables.

For Volunteers

You've built. You've led. You want to walk with the next wave of redemptive founders. Become a volunteer coach, speaker, workshop lead, pitch judge, or apply to become a Forge group leader.
Set up a meeting with the Executive Director of Startup Garage to discover how you can use your time and talent to give back!

Set up a meeting to learn more
A group of young people standing on stage at a startup pitch event, holding oversized checks. Behind them is a large screen displaying the word 'PITCHUP' and various sponsor logos.

For Partners

Your organization wants to help expand Christ-centered entrepreneurship. Explore strategic partnership with the Startup Garage community. We rely on radical generosity from mission-aligned partners in order to keep all of our events, coaching, and small groups free for early-stage entrepreneurs. Connect with the Executive Director of Startup Garage to learn more!