Entrepreneur Opporunities
Funding
Courses, Cohorts, and Accelerators
Markets & Sales Opportunities
Find the opportunities that will help your business grow!
Funding
$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.
Pitch for $10,000 (Women Owned Businesses) - Michigan Women Forward has just opened their application period for the WomanUp & Pitch Business Plan and Pitch Competition. The top 50 finalists will receive technical assistance and $500. And the 1st place winner will receive $10,000. Applications close Sept 19th. Learn more and apply.
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 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.
For early stage food businesses (SWMI): Are you an aspiring or current owner of a mobile food business or restaurant? Join the SBDC for their 8-week training series "Recipe for Success.” You will learn from industry experts, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and gain practical insights into operations, marketing, finance, and more. The course runs from Sept 30th to Nov 18th from 6-8 PM. Apply by Sept 25th. Learn more and register.
For new and early stage food businesses (Statewide): BC Food Reimagined is offering a number of free multi-week courses for startup and early stage food businesses that were affected by COVID. The programming is primarily online and the next cohort launches Sept 30th. Learn more and register.
Markets & Sales Opportunities
Bells Eccentric Cafe is taking applications for their Holiday Bizarre Bazaar on Sunday, November 30th. Artists and makers are invited to apply by Sunday, September 21st. Learn more and apply.
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.
Sounds of the Zoo will be September 22-28th. Vending opportunities at Bronson Park will be available. To learn more and sign up email Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert at soundsofthezoo@gmail.com .
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.