Ope! Grab your coffee and squeeze on in ,

As summer reaches its peak in the 269, we are officially in full harvest mode across our ecosystem. The seeds we planted earlier this year are blooming in big ways; from major milestone graduations and fresh leadership additions to critical new funding pathways and cross-state community linkups.

We’ve packed this issue with practical resources for local business owners, major announcements from our real estate pipeline, and powerful highlights from across the region.

Pull up a chair, take a look around, and let’s dive right into what’s happening this August!

As always, remember that almost all of the pictures and logos below are clickable links!

🌲 Breaking News 🌲

A Humbling Milestone

Before you dive into this month’s issue, we have some incredible news fresh off the press!

We are deeply honored to announce that Kalamazoo Forward Ventures has been nominated for “Minority-Owned Business of the Year” in the Southwest Michigan First Choice Awards! To say our team is humbled would be a massive understatement.

Now, the power is in the hands of our community—and we need your votes to bring this home!

How to Vote: Click the image below or use the link below to cast your ballot. While you’re in there, make sure to check out ALL the categories! We are blown away to see so many people and organizations we adore on the ballot—from our community partners and portfolio companies to our Cultivate269 finalists and regional trailblazers.

A huge thank you to Southwest Michigan First for continually putting on for the locals and creating platforms like this. And a massive thank you to everyone taking a moment to show us love!

👉 CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE ON VOTERFLY 🤌🏿✨

✨🎓Tears, Trust, and Local Transformations at KVCC 🎓✨

On July 30th, our inaugural 13 Tsunami Lab cohort members officially walked across the stage to celebrate their graduation! But the true heart of this journey unfolded two weeks prior, on July 16th, when our cohort delivered their capstone presentations to a room packed with local lenders, philanthropic partners, and potential investors.

The room was filled with emotion and vision. One community partner shared how deeply moved they were listening to operator after operator speak about their commitment to making an impact right here in Kalamazoo; focusing not just on acquiring a company, but on uplifting the lives of the employees they will lead, serving local customers, and feeding back into our local philanthropic ecosystem. Another partner remarked on the remarkable empathy shown by the cohort, noting how acutely aware these rising leaders are of the emotional weight a sale carries for retiring business owners who have poured their lives and identities into these firms.

Capturing the magic of our final session was the brilliant Jake Waggoner of Defined Lines Marketing, whose photos throughout this section showcase the deep bonds and determination of this inaugural group.

Looking Ahead to 2027 & Protecting Local Legacies

• Curious about joining the next wave? We will be releasing our timeline for the 2027 Tsunami Lab cohort soon. If you’ve been watching from the sidelines and want to step into ownership, bookmark our Tsunami Lab page and stay tuned!

• Are you a business owner thinking about succession? Protect what you’ve spent a lifetime building by connecting with our vetted, business-ready operators. Reach out to us confidentially here to explore your transition plan.

🍀 Team Update 🍀

Welcoming Estela Marquez

We are beyond thrilled to officially hard launch the newest addition to the KzFV crew: our brilliant Intern, Estela Marquez! Estela brings incredible energy, sharp perspective, and a deep dedication to supporting our regional mission. If you see her out and about at our upcoming events, make sure to give her a warm Kalamazoo welcome!

A massive shout-out goes to our former intern, Maya Alkema, who stepped behind the camera to shoot Estela’s official onboarding portraits. Maya absolutely crushed it, capturing the exact spirit and authenticity that drives our team forward. Once part of the KzFV family, always part of the family!

🌱Ecosystem🌱

Fortifying Our Local Entrepreneurs

Insights, Preparedness, and Support for SWMI Small Businesses

Building a resilient regional economy means equipping our founders, leaders, and small business owners with the macro insights, operational safeguards, and financial backing needed to navigate a changing landscape. This month, we are highlighting three essential community resources and events:

1. Upcoming Event: Data, Demographics, and Regional Economics

• When: Tuesday, August 25th | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

• The Vibe: Let’s look at the macro-economic reality of the Silver Tsunami hitting our immediate region. We are bringing in a powerhouse research expert to break down the latest data, succession trends, and demographic shifts impacting local firms. If you want to understand the numbers driving our strategy, you need to be in this room!

👉 Click Here to Register for Data, Demographics, and Regional Economics

2. Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency with United Way

Disasters—defined as any event that forces a business to cease operations for at least one day (such as tornadoes, fires, flooding, or acute emergencies)—can derail years of hard work.

To combat this, Ren, the Associate Director of Community Resilience at United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI), is stepping up to help local small businesses prepare before disaster strikes and navigate the aftermath if it occurs. UWSCMI is offering free, 1:1 consultations and group trainings covering:

• Business Continuity Planning

• Emergency Preparedness Strategies

• OSHA Compliance

Whether you need to map out a recovery plan or safeguard your daily operations against emergency disruptions, Ren is here to serve as a direct resource.

👉 Learn More & Schedule Your Free Resiliency Consultation with UWSCMI

3. Kalamazoo Start-Up Center Releases New Support Application

Our friends at the Kalamazoo Start-Up Center (KSC), led by Executive Director Desi Taylor, have officially launched their new application for financial assistance!

Rooted in values of equity and inclusion, KSC believes that cost should never stand in the way of accessing the tools, mentorship, and technical guidance needed to build a successful business. Through strategic community partnerships, KSC offers direct technical assistance at free or reduced rates for local entrepreneurs in need.

If you or an entrepreneur in your network could benefit from subsidized technical support, business guidance, or startup resources, we encourage you to apply and pass the link along!

👉 Apply for Financial Assistance at the Kalamazoo Start-Up Center