Kalamazoo Forward Ventures (KZFV), Southwest Michigan’s first Black-owned venture capital firm, has officially launched with a $50 million capital commitment. The firm, led by seven prominent Michigan entrepreneurs, aims to invest in innovators, startups, and marginalized founders across Kalamazoo and beyond.
Eric L. Wimbley, CEO of First Line Risk Management and Managing Partner of KZFV, explained the firm’s community-focused mission: “We came up with that fund by thinking about what we want to accomplish in the community. As the ideas grew, so did the funds.” Similarly, Jamauri A. Bogan, CEO of Bogan Developments and General Partner at KZFV, highlighted the goal of providing capital to those who typically lack access to it.
One of the beneficiaries of KZFV’s investment is Glidance, a Michigan startup co-founded by Amos Miller, a blind entrepreneur, and Kyle Buzzard. Glidance developed the world’s first AI-powered mobility aid for people with vision loss, aligning with KZFV’s goal to support groundbreaking ideas.
KZFV’s investment strategy is built around three pillars: venture capital, real estate, and Main Street funds. Daniel S. Jefferies, co-managing partner of the Main Street Capital Fund, expressed excitement about their community engagement, while Eric B. Cunningham emphasized the firm’s local and national outreach.
Although KZFV is a venture capital firm, its community-driven focus is evident. Former Kalamazoo mayor Bobby J. Hopewell underscored the importance of inclusivity, stressing the need to engage with overlooked individuals and their ideas.
