January 13, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 9)
Standing at left is Michael Hyacinthe, MVE-Lab lead instructor. The pitch night for participants was held December 15 at the Battle Creek Innovation Hub.
Photo Credit: Martin Hogan
Participants in the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab (MVE-Lab) pitched their ideas in mid-December to a panel of judges at the Battle Creek Innovation Hub.
The event capped an 11-week entrepreneurial accelerator program. In a cohort model, veterans and military-connected entrepreneurs worked with mentors from Battle Creek to hone or launch their small business startups.
John Capers, of Pop's Family Kitchen, earned first place and $6,000 to be put toward enhancing his catering business. A total of $15,000 in prizes was awarded.
The Battle Creek MVE-Lab was offered through GVSU's DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI), in partnership with Battle Creek Unlimited and with support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
More than 65 percent of MVE-Lab graduates have remained in business, producing gross annual sales of $799,516 and a gross capital investment of more than $3.1 million.
This article was last edited on January 7, 2026 at 8:31 a.m.
Without a budget, David Eick sent a request to the "Station Eleven" author's team and was delighted when Emily St. John Mandel enthusiastically replied.
Featured
May 19, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 17)
Article by
Sofia Ellis
In a Bridge Michigan article, Mantella wrote that stewardship requires honoring the foundation built by predecessors while having the courage to adapt for what comes next.
May 19, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 17)
The partnership began with a student exchange for music majors and has expanded to other academic disciplines.
May 19, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 17)
Article by
Kate Stoetzner
