AltCap

Fresh Factory KC, India Wells-Carter; Cafe Cà Phê, Jackie Nguyen; Heart and Seoul, Rachel Cayetano; Peak Roofing - Mechanical, Jade Teixeira

Meet 10 finalists for AltCap Your Biz pitch payout; competition returns during GEW KC

A diverse group of nearly a dozen small businesses are advancing to the next round of the annual AltCap Your Biz: Pitch Competition with finalists ranging from a mobile vegan soul food service to a Northland selfie experience. The “Closing the Deal” live pitch event showcases the 10 best concepts from a pool of 43…

Ruben Alonso, president, AltCap; Kelvin Perry, president, Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City; Karis Harrington, chief of business development, G.I.F.T.; Brandon Calloway, CEO and co-founder, G.I.F.T.; Emily Lecuyer, managing director, equity2 (not pictured, Josh Rowland, CEO and vice chairman, Lead Bank)

AltCap, GIFT, small business allies partner to expand opportunities for Black-owned ventures

A coalition of Kansas City organizations have joined forces to launch a new partnership that will invest in the region’s Black-owned small businesses through flexible debt and equity financing, grant funding and business advisory services, the group announced Thursday. “Unfortunately, many Black entrepreneurs are left out of the financial mainstream when it comes to business…

AltCap team photo 2021

Filling a capital void: AltCap builds capacity, momentum after its busiest year to date

Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Academy Bank, a Kansas City based community bank, and is part of a series of features spotlighting some of the bank’s startup and small business partners. The past 18 months have been a critical turning point for AltCap, said Ruben Alonso, as the nonprofit has grown to…

$1M investment in new impact fund to boost minority and women-owned ventures in KC

A $1 million cash injection from The Sunderland Foundation will further efforts to bolster the only impact-oriented, opportunity zone fund focused entirely on Kansas City.  equity2 Partners announced the investment Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for the mission driven impact investment firm which has committed to deploying capital in inclusive and equitable ways — especially amid the…

Small Business Big Voice

COVID is hurting small biz — but how to help? AltCap, KCBizCare launch listening tour to find best strategy

To help Kansas City’s small business community, leaders first must know what entrepreneurs actually need, said Ruben Alonso, announcing the launch of a KCMO-backed, city-wide listening tour. “As we look to recover from the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, it is critical we hear from small businesses, the lifeblood of our communities so that we…