Black Entrepreneur Training Academy (BETA) BETA is a five-month cohort-based virtual training program to equip, support, and resource Black entrepreneurs. After the program, participants have the chance to pitch for capital of up to $5,500. BETA receives funding from the City of Kalamazoo through the Foundation for Excellence.
Business Development Fund The Business Development Fund offers funding and financing options to local entrepreneurs and neighborhood businesses.
Can-Do Kalamazoo The City of Kalamazoo is proud to support Can-Do Kalamazoo, which offers support to entrepreneurs including access to a commercial kitchen, educational workshops, business planning, and mentorship. Their programs are tailored to entrepreneurs at different stages of business development.
Core 60 Core 60 is a 10 week construction business accelerator program that helps BIPOC and women-owned companies get licensed, earn while they learn, and position their business to scale. The program is funded by the Foundation for Excellence.
Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants KMEG provide $5,000 grants to eligible microbusinesses with the city limits. The program is designed to support businesses that may not be able to access traditional funding sources because of their scale.
Kalamazoo Small Business Loan Fund The Small Business Loan Fund provides low interest loans to small businesses in the city through a partnership with the United Way and funding from the Foundation for Excellence.
Social Equity Cannabis Chamber Learn about this social equity-focused initiative and incubator program for cannabis businesses in Kalamazoo.