Fred Neis

Pure Pitch Rally narrows cohort to five startups, focusing resources for spot-cash pitch event

A new format for one of Kansas City’s longest-running pitch competitions is expected to help winning startup founders earn a larger share of funding, greater resources and more individualized guidance from industry experts, said founder Karen Fenaroli, announcing five contenders selected for the 2026 Pure Pitch Rally.

2026 AltCap Your Biz finalists: Easton Koch, BONICEL DENIM; Béty Lê Shackelford, Hella Good Deeds; Wesley Hamilton, INCLŪSIV Wellness; Keliah Smith, Keliah Dyann Art & Paper; DeMarkus Paul, Legacy Service Company; Madeline Johnson, Missouri Kansas Queer Law; Arden Pearson, Missouri Kansas Queer Law; Fred Neis, Rescue ID; Zoe Mays, Scream Queens; Erica Murff, The BeVel Barber Lounge; Casie Murff, The BeVel Barber Lounge; and India Clark Stewart, Your Healing Touch

‘Going bigger than ever before’: Meet the star finalists vying for $60K in AltCap Your Biz prizes

Nearly a dozen small businesses are set to compete this fall for $60,000 in prizes, AltCap Your Biz organizers said Friday, announcing 10 finalists in the expanded pitch competition’s 11th journey to the stage with Kansas City entrepreneurs.