Kalamazoo Entrepreneur Events
Pitch contests, networking, classes, 1-on-1 coaching, bootcamps, and more.
It’s all happening in Kalamazoo and our surrounding area.
Stop going it alone and come join Kalamazoo’s amazing entrepreneur community.
Drop-In Office Hours at Can-Do Kalamazoo
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SCORE
TUESDAYS 9 AM - 12 PM
Learn more about SCORE’s free business mentoring program and get business coaching on the spot. -
City of Kalamazoo
TUESDAYS 1 PM - 5 PM
Meet with Kevin Ford, the Shared Prosperity Coordinator for the City of Kalamazoo -
SBDC
WEDNESDAYS 9 AM - 12 PM
Learn about SBDC’s free business coaching and resources. And get business advice on the spot. -
City of Kalamazoo
THURSDAYS 1 PM - 5 PM
Meet with Jared Chambers, the Business Specialist for the City of Kalamazoo. -
Kalamazoo Social Equity Cannabis Chamber
1st FRIDAYs 10 AM - 5 PM
Meet with Rebecca Colette for the Kalamazoo Social Equity Cannabis Chamber.
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Filter Events
1 Million Cups
Come hear two local businesses pitch their businesses and ask the audience for advice about how they can improve. Join us to learn, give support, and network.
Add this recurring event to your calendar through this KZEN link.
Small Business Resource & Financing Fair (Grand Rapids)
The SBDC is bringing you the resources you need to start or scale your business – all in one place. It’s like a job fair, but for businesses!
Chamber Connect
Join the Chamber for their Chamber Connect event at Rose Stree Advisors. Connect with other entrepreneurs and business leaders over snacks and drinks.
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
Monday Midday Mixer
The Chamber’s Monday Midday Mixer is a lunchtime connect specifically designed to help you expand your network and enhance your business development efforts.
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Earn Your Food Safety Manager Certification!
Join us for our ServSafe® class and a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our free class and proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
Artist Happy Hour “Director’s Cut” - Website Building
Join fellow artists and creative entrepreneurs for an engaging evening of networking and skill-building focused on digital presence and website development. There will be an expert panel and breakout sessions to go in depth on topics like choosing the right platform, showcasing your work online, and audience engagement strategies beyond social media.
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
1 Million Cups
Come hear two local businesses pitch their businesses and ask the audience for advice about how they can improve. Join us to learn, give support, and network.
Add this recurring event to your calendar through this KZEN link.
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
Founders First Friday (Grand Rapids)
The first Friday of each month, founders get together to connect, share their challenges, and be resources for each other. This is a casual meetup with no set agenda, just Founders helping Founders. This event is for active high-growth startup founders and founders considering significantly scaling their companies. The location will be emailed to you upon registration.
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
Español - 1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Spanish Bootcamp - Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
1 Million Cups
Come hear two local businesses pitch their businesses and ask the audience for advice about how they can improve. Join us to learn, give support, and network.
Add this recurring event to your calendar through this KZEN link.
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday
Join us for an exciting online pitch event via the Microsoft Teams virtual platform. You’ll have a rare opportunity to see inside the minds of three investors as they reveal what three company presenters did right and wrong. The Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday meeting is designed as a teaching opportunity for participating companies and members of the audience. So come join us for an enlightening look into the minds of investors.
1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
Español - 1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Spanish Bootcamp - Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday
Join us for an exciting online pitch event via the Microsoft Teams virtual platform. You’ll have a rare opportunity to see inside the minds of three investors as they reveal what three company presenters did right and wrong. The Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday meeting is designed as a teaching opportunity for participating companies and members of the audience. So come join us for an enlightening look into the minds of investors.
1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
ServSafe® Class & Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
Pitch Night - Startup Zoo
Come see Kalamazoo’s own Shark Tank! Every other month, 5 Southwest Michigan-based businesses pitch live to 3 judges for $10,000 equity-free capital, partnership, customers, and free resources to start or grow their idea. Attendees can engage and vote for their favorite pitch. The People's Favorite walks away with $1,000.
Founders First Friday (Grand Rapids)
The first Friday of each month, founders get together to connect, share their challenges, and be resources for each other. This is a casual meetup with no set agenda, just Founders helping Founders. This event is for active high-growth startup founders and founders considering significantly scaling their companies. The location will be emailed to you upon registration.
5x5 Night On the Road (Holland)
5 entrepreneurs with 5 slides pitch for 5 minutes to 5 judges to win $5K.
If you’re interested in pitching, you can submit to pitch here between the dates of March 26th and April 21st.
Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday
Join us for an exciting online pitch event via the Microsoft Teams virtual platform. You’ll have a rare opportunity to see inside the minds of three investors as they reveal what three company presenters did right and wrong. The Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday meeting is designed as a teaching opportunity for participating companies and members of the audience. So come join us for an enlightening look into the minds of investors.
Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence
Join the Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators and subject matter expert Ian Patterson as we discuss Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence. Ian will provide an overview of FOCI regulations and walk through some of the specified mitigation strategies.
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
Buy Local Greater Kalamazoo & Chamber Unification Meeting (Afternoon Session)
The Southwest Michigan First Chamber is proud and honored to take on the mission of Buy Local Greater Kalamazoo (BLGK) and serve as the single point of contact for small and locally owned businesses here! Join us on April 24 at the Exchange Building for one of our two informative and engaging sessions, one at 8 AM or the other at 4 PM. Hear firsthand how this transition benefits you and how businesses like yours are maximizing their membership.
Buy Local Greater Kalamazoo & Chamber Unification Meeting (Morning Session)
The Southwest Michigan First Chamber is proud and honored to take on the mission of Buy Local Greater Kalamazoo (BLGK) and serve as the single point of contact for small and locally owned businesses here! Join us on April 24 at the Exchange Building for one of our two informative and engaging sessions, one at 8 AM or the other at 4 PM. Hear firsthand how this transition benefits you and how businesses like yours are maximizing their membership.
ServSafe® Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Earn Your Food Safety Manager Certification!
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
Think Like a CEO: Mindset & Strategy for Entrepreneurs
Join Michelle Mitchell from Mitchell Consulting for a free workshop that will help you transition from working in your business to leading it effectively. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or building a team, this session will give you the tools to take charge of your time, finances, and priorities.
Practical AI for Small Business
Join the Chamber for their Small & Mighty Business Series event - Practical AI for Small Business: Beyond Writing and Research. This event is free for members and $15 for nonmembers (plus a fee if you would like lunch).
Rise and Thrive
The Chamber is hosting its Rise and Thrive Connect event at the Kalamazoo Art Institute. Network with other entrepreneurs, as well as nonprofit and business leaders, and learn more about the Art Institute and the resources they bring to the community.
Monday Midday Mixer
The Chamber has a new opportunity to grow your business network while enjoying a delicious lunch—introducing the Chamber’s Monday Midday Mixer! This lunchtime connect is specifically designed to help you expand your network and enhance your business development efforts.
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
Chamber Connect
Join the Chamber for their Chamber Connect event at Hub Tavern and Grill. Network with other entrepreneurs and business leaders over snacks and drinks.
Founders First Friday (Grand Rapids)
The first Friday of each month, founders get together to connect, share their challenges, and be resources for each other. This is a casual meetup with no set agenda, just Founders helping Founders. This event is for active high-growth startup founders and founders considering significantly scaling their companies. The location will be emailed to you upon registration.
1 Million Cups
Come hear two local businesses pitch their businesses and ask the audience for advice about how they can improve. Join us to learn, give support, and network.
Add this recurring event to your calendar through this KZEN link.
KZEN Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
5x5 Night On the Road (Muskegon)
5 entrepreneurs with 5 slides pitch for 5 minutes to 5 judges to win $5K.
If you’re interested in pitching, you can learn more and submit to pitch here until March 17th.
No need to register to attend.
Pitch Night - Startup Zoo
Come see Kalamazoo’s own Shark Tank! Every other month, 5 Southwest Michigan-based businesses pitch live to 3 judges for $10,000 equity-free capital, partnership, customers, and free resources to start or grow their idea. Attendees can engage and vote for their favorite pitch. The People's Favorite walks away with $1,000.
Black and Brown Mixer
The Chamber will be kicking off the Black and Brown Mixer series for 2025 at The Epic Center. The Black & Brown Connect Mixer is the perfect opportunity to meet, share, and connect with folks from across the spectrum of industry, including business and community leaders and entrepreneurs in a space built by and for us.
ServSafe® Certification with Can-Do Kalamazoo
Earn Your Food Safety Manager Certification!
Join us for a proctored ServSafe® exam designed for food service professionals, entrepreneurs, and kitchen users. Our on-site, free proctoring service - led by our own kitchen manager - makes certification accessible and hassle-free. Simply purchase the required materials, and you're ready to take the next step in food safety excellence!
Rise and Thrive
The Chamber is hosting their Rise and Thrive Connect event at the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo. Network with other entrepreneurs, as well as nonprofit and business leaders, and learn more about the YMCA and the resources they bring to the community.
Español - 1 Day Start-Up Business Plan Bootcamp (Grand Rapids)
Spanish Bootcamp - Begin working on the foundational sections of your start up business plan. This workshop is ideal for new businesses. This is a 6 hour workshop designed to help you prepare your business plan!
Office Hours & Open Networking
KZEN will be hosting Office Hours and Open Entrepreneur Networking at Factory Coffee Downtown. Entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur curious, and anyone who supports entrepreneurs are welcome.
Click here to add this recurring biweekly event to your calendar.
Chamber Connect
Join the Chamber for their Chamber Connect event at Omega Computer Services. Network with other entrepreneurs and business leaders over snacks and drinks.
Monday Midday Mixer
We’re thrilled to announce a new opportunity to grow your business network while enjoying a delicious lunch—introducing the Chamber’s MondayMidday Mixer! This lunchtime connect is specifically designed to help you expand your network and enhance your business development efforts.
Founders First Friday (Grand Rapids)
The first Friday of each month, founders get together to connect, share their challenges, and be resources for each other. This is a casual meetup with no set agenda, just Founders helping Founders. This event is for active high-growth startup founders and founders considering significantly scaling their companies. The location will be emailed to you upon registration.
Neurodivergence in Entrepreneurship: Meet Your 2025 Goals (Part 2)
Achieve more, faster with this quarterly goal workshop with YOUR brain in mind.
Review the goals you set in January and assess how successful you were in following your action plan and using your calendar.