Entrepreneur Opporunities
Funding
Courses, Cohorts, and Accelerators
Markets & Sales Opportunities
Find the opportunities that will help your business grow!
Funding
$5,000 Grants (City of Kalamazoo): In partnership with the City of Kalamazoo, United Way is offering $5,000 grants to qualifying micro-enterprises. Applications are open from Oct 1 - Oct 31st. Learn more and apply.
$10,000 Grants (Tornado Impacted Businesses) The Tornado Relief Grant provides $10,000 grants to small businesses in Kalamazoo County that were directly impacted by the May 7, 2024 or May 15, 2025 tornados. This program is a partnership between Kalamazoo County and the United Way of South Central Michigan, with funding provided by Kalamazoo County through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic. Learn more and apply by October 8th.
0% loans (Local): Businesses that were in operation between 2020-2022 and were impacted by COVID can apply for 0% loans of up to $35K through Northern Initiatives and LISC. To learn more, email Venard Roberson at vroberson@northerninitiatives.org or call at 616-329-6188.
Pitch for $5,000 (Regional): Every month, Start Garden hosts an event called 5x5 where 5 entrepreneurs each present 5 slides for 5 minutes to 5 judges to compete for $5K. Learn more and apply.
For business owners considering an exit through a sale to employees (Statewide): MICEO is offering a new grant program and that can pay for feasibility studies, pre-feasibility assessments, valuation services, legal services, and other critical support that enable business owners to assess their potential for employee ownership conversions. Learn more and apply.
Courses, Cohorts, Conferences, & Accelerators
For businesses ready for a loan (Regional): Rende Progress Capital is launching their second Pre-Loan Readiness Incubator this fall. This 6-week hands-on program - starting Oct 15th in Grand Rapids - is designed to help entrepreneurs become 90% loan-ready, with support in building financials, preparing real documentation, and planning for growth capital. Participants who complete the program will receive up to $1,000. Applications are due Oct 8th. Apply here. If you have questions, email: contact@rendeprogresscapital.com.
For high growth, innovation businesses (SWMI): If you are preparing to pitch for venture capital, and would like feedback from 3 seasoned venture capitalists, apply to pitch at WMU Innovation Center’s Venture Tuesday on Tuesday, October 28th from 9 -10:30 AM. Applications are taken on a rolling basis. Learn more and register.
Markets & Sales Opportunities
The Kalamazoo Nature Center is taking applications for their Buy Local Art & Gift Fair on Saturday, December 6th. The application deadline is September 30th. Learn more and apply.
If you host a market, or know of a market application deadline, please use our Contact Form to let us know.
Space/Coworking
Join a thriving life science and technology community at the WMed Innovation Center. They offer flexible leasing options for growing startups, scaling businesses, and innovative research teams—all in a professionally managed, resource-rich environment. Wet labs and office space are available. To inquire email wmedic@wmed.edu .
Can-Do Kalamazoo’s co-working space is open for hourly, half-day, or full-day bookings for single desks and conference rooms. Learn more and book.