Ope! Grab your pumpkin spice, pull up a chair, and get comfy ,
The crisp October air has officially settled into the 269, and autumn momentum is running red-hot across our entire ecosystem! Coming off an electric September packed with statewide pitch stages and regional gatherings, this month is all about celebrating local victories, honoring our community doers, and looking ahead at the transformational projects reshaping Kalamazoo’s horizon.
From courthouse step afterparties and major national franchise expansions to exciting local arena developments and essential resources for women founders, we’ve got a packed issue to keep you inspired and connected.
Settle in, take a look around, and let’s dive into what’s blooming this October.
As always, remember that almost all of the pictures and logos below are clickable links!
🍁 The October Breakdown 🍁
269 Roots & Regional Returns
Here is a quick look at what we are tracking across our ecosystem this October:
Company Update: Reflection time—shout-out to Kabundant for throwing an absolute vibe of an afterparty on the county courthouse steps!
Main Street: Breadless takes off! Celebrating their first major franchise deal expanding the brand into Ann Arbor and Chicago.
Ecosystem: Women’s Owners Network (WON)—a 6-month holistic accelerator built by women founders for women business owners ready for their next chapter.
Real Estate: Prime downtown footprint—featuring turnkey commercial space at 131 W Kalamazoo Ave, steps from the new Event Center.
Team Update: KzFV wins BIPOC-Owned Business of the Year at the SWMF Chamber’s Choice Awards, plus major love for Doreen Gardner of PaPa’s Brittle!
In the Community: The new Kalamazoo Event Center is taking shape! Have your say on local food vendors, plus a look at Episode 2 of ‘Behind the Build.’
More Than Capital: Closing with our vision for collective growth, community resilience, and sustainable wealth across Southwest Michigan.
Welp, let’s get right to it. Deep Roots, Higher Branches: Forward in October.
🪷 Reflection 🪷
Courthouses, Community, & Connection
That Kabundant Afterparty After The Entrepreneur Summit & PitchMI Though!?
Many people across our ecosystem have seen Kabundant’s logo scattered everywhere—they seem to be seamlessly supporting almost every aspect of entrepreneurship in our region! But last week, Bobby, Grant, Khalil, and the brilliant team at Kabundant threw an afterparty right on the old county courthouse steps, and it was an absolute vibe.
Good drinks, great music, and local founders simply connecting, laughing, and having a fantastic time together. There is so much fast-paced excitement around the future of creativity and business in Kalamazoo, but sometimes we forget about the simple things: letting our hair down (or putting it up… or putting on a favorite hat if we don’t have hair!), and connecting with one another purely for the sake of community.
A massive thank you to the Kabundant crew for making that space happen and reminding us why we build together!
🍃 Main Street 🍃
No Bread, All Gains —
Breadless Goes National!
Our Main Street portfolio is making massive waves in national business news! Breadless, the revolutionary Detroit-founded chain known for its delicious, chef-curated, bread-free wrapped sandwiches, has officially signed its very first multi-unit franchise agreement with franchisee Jonah Smith.
This historic deal will take the concept directly into Ann Arbor, MI, and Chicago, IL!
The Industry Takes Notice:
The expansion was featured in major regional and national publications, including Crain’s Detroit Business and a featured roundup in Franchise Times alongside top national brands:
Crain’s Detroit Business: “Breadless gets first franchisee, eyes growth in Ann Arbor and Chicago” — Read the Full Crain’s Feature Here
Franchise Times: “Fast-Casual Multi-Unit News Roundup” — Read the Franchise Times Article Here
We are beyond thrilled to watch founders Marc Howland, LaTresha “LC” Howland, and Ryan Eli Salter scale this vision across state lines. And this is truly just the beginning!
Interested in Franchising?
If you or someone you know is interested in bringing a Breadless franchise to your community, explore opportunities today:
👉 Visit franchise.eatbreadless.com to Learn More
🍀 Team Update 🍀
Gratitude, Honors, & Local Excellence
KzFV Named BIPOC-Owned Business of the Year + Celebrating PaPa’s Brittle!
What a whirlwind of emotion! Kalamazoo Forward Ventures was officially named BIPOC-Owned Business of the Year at the Southwest Michigan First Choice Awards!
Receiving this award brought a deep mix of feelings—pure joy and gratitude for the recognition, paired with humility and nervousness, because in the finals we were standing alongside companies we deeply adore. Being nominated next to Doreen Gardner of PaPa’s Brittle—a Main Street portfolio company we have personally bet on from day one—and amazing partners like Dare’l McMillian of M2 McMillan Media (who won Entrepreneur of the YEAR) was a true reminder of the rich talent in our city.
While it feels amazing to be acknowledged, the team that deserves the absolute most shine is Southwest Michigan First. Events like the Choice Awards are HUGE for our local ecosystem, highlighting the dreamers, doers, and innovators who make Kalamazoo move.
Keynote Spotlight: Doreen Gardner!
Speaking of PaPa’s Brittle—a massive shout-out to Doreen Gardner for serving as the inspirational Keynote Speaker at the recent Michigan Women Forward Fundraiser Banquet!
Watching Doreen drop wisdom on a statewide stage represents everything we stand for. We see you out here doing big things, Doreen!
🌿 KzFV Venture Capital 🌿
News Roundup | October 2026
Congratulations to AI & Software PitchMI winner MotMot™!
Motmot won $425,000 at the PitchMI AI & Software Semifinal in Kalamazoo on Sept. 22. The prize combines a $375,000 award. Motmot now advances to the $1M statewide PitchMI Championship in spring 2027. CEO Elliot Smith said the money gets them from servicing customers directly to “our next scale chapter.”
Michigan Founders Fund Announced Kalamazoo Pre-Accelerator Cohort. Five startups will participate in the Fall 2026 cohort Pre-Accelerator, powered by gener8tor and will receive $15,000 in non-diluvite funding.
● Tutela founded by Cortez Lake
● Brownfield AI founded by Kyle Gulau, Scott Gerstl, and Kevin Wolf
● ALCD Systems ™ founded bu Jamie Bigby
● FieldStone founded by Mphumelelo Khaba and Michael Riddering
● Flowers Automotive Recyclers founded by Ronald Lance Flowers Jr.
VC Portfolio HIghlights
● Glidance announces 2026 Glide Demo Day Tour with public demo sessions.
● Nunchi is the networking app Ann Arbor SPARK used for the “Women in Tech” event.
● Intero Biosystems is a Startup Battlefield 200 pitch finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
● JustAir launched their public dashboard, view the dashboard today.
● Ryan James, PhD of Dopl Technologies and Dawn Batts of Union Heritage brought the heat during their fireside chat at the Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurship Summit in Kalamazoo.
Where to find the VC Team?
October 5–11 • San Francisco Tech Week • California
October 13–15 • TechCrunch Disrupt • San Francisco
Wednesday, December 2–3 • Midwest House Summit • Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two days of on-stage inspiration, curated connections, and “this can happen here” discovery that’ll keep you talking.
🪵 Real Estate 🪵
Prime Downtown Footprint
Positioned for the Future:
Turnkey Commercial Space Steps from the Event Center
As momentum accelerates around downtown Kalamazoo’s massive new development projects, securing the right physical footprint is everything. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to bring your next commercial concept, boutique retail store, or flagship office to life, this historic downtown address is fully prepped and ready for immediate activation!
131 W Kalamazoo Ave — Retail / Office Opportunity
· The Location Advantage: Situated in a high-visibility corridor just blocks from both the upcoming Event Center and the new County Administration Building—placing your business directly in the path of expanding downtown foot traffic and regional visitors.
· The Craftsmanship & Character: Originally built as a artisan coffee shop by master carpenter Ian Nielsen, the space pairs rich historical soul with modern functional infrastructure. Features soaring high ceilings, authentic exposed brick, and warm, custom natural woodwork throughout.
· Property Overview:
o Layout & Size:1,200 SF available (within a 2,410 SF total building) offered under a modified gross lease at $15/SF/year.
o Food/Beverage & Retail Ready: Includes a pre-built service counter area outfitted with stainless steel surfaces, hand sinks, and a three-compartment sink—saving months on build-out time.
o Storage & Amenities:Ample back-of-house storage, display-ready areas, and hard-to-find dedicated onsite parking for staff and clients.
o Outdoor Activation Space:Premium exterior footprint ideal for patio seating, hosting community events, or partnering with local food trucks.
Ready to Walk the Space?
Opportunities in this rapidly growing downtown district don’t stay open for long. Whether you’re expanding an existing brand or launching a brand-new concept, take the first step toward securing your footprint today.
👉 View the Property Listing Details & Photos
To schedule a private walkthrough or inquire about lease terms, reach out directly to listing agent Rob Peterson at rob@doverbirch.com.
Want to know catch our Real Estate Managing Partner (Eric Cunningham) in the wild?
Well, you can do so HERE:
🌱Ecosystem🌱
The Women’s Owners Network (WON)
A 6-Month Program Built for Women Founders.
Ladies, this one is for you!
Created by Kim Bode of 8THIRTYFOUR, the Women’s Owners Network (WON) is a powerful 6-month initiative designed specifically for established women business owners who are ready to scale to the next level and need holistic, well-rounded support to get there.
WON combines the hard, practical mechanics of business with the critical emotional side of leadership. Participants engage in structured modules covering:
Core Business Pillars: Leadership development, financial modeling, operations, and access to capital.
Founder Well-Being: Strategic support to navigate isolation, decision fatigue, and emotional volatility.
Designed entirely by entrepreneurs who have walked the path, WON recognizes that lasting business growth depends on personal resilience and community backing.
Who is WON Built For?
Women founders who are past the idea stage, actively generating revenue, serving customers, and ready to commit to a 6-month growth cohort starting this November.
👉 Apply for the Upcoming Women’s Owners Network Cohort Here
🎋 In The Community 🎋
Downtown’s Next
Big Lightning Rod
The Kalamazoo Event Center: Local Vendor Opportunities & ‘Behind the Build’
Something major is coming to downtown Kalamazoo, and the trickle-down impact on our local economy is going to be extraordinary!
The upcoming Kalamazoo Event Center is set to become an unparalleled lightning rod for local commerce—driving downtown foot traffic, bolstering tourism, and creating massive activation opportunities across landscaping, management, security, public art, local festivals, and yes… incredible hockey games!
Have Your Say: Local Vendor Survey
Do you own a local food concept, or do you have a favorite local food vendor you’d love to see inside the new Event Center? The project team wants direct input from our community!
👉 Submit Your Local Food Vendor Suggestions for the Event Center Here
Watch ‘Behind the Build’ — Episode 2
Episode 2 of the Behind the Build series takes a macro look at how increased downtown activity will amplify existing local storefronts, restaurants, and cultural experiences across the 269.
👉 Watch Episode 2 of ‘Behind the Build’ on Facebook Reels
🍂More Than Capital🍂
Rooted in Purpose,
Built for Legacy.
As we close out this October issue, we are reminded that true economic momentum isn’t built in isolation—it’s forged when founders celebrate each other on courthouse steps, when women leaders back one another through growth, and when local developments build seats at the table for neighborhood vendors.
Whether we are backing regional restaurant expansions, honoring long-time legacy printers, or cheering on our fellow nominees, we remain committed to building an equitable, self-sustaining ecosystem right here at home.
Thank you for continuing to show up, share these resources, and grow alongside us.
In the meantime, please remember:
Kalamazoo can, does, and is inspiring the world.
Until next time, stay rooted, stay ready.
