AltCap launches small business competition in KC
September 9, 2015 | Ashley Jost
After a recent rebrand, Kansas City-based AltCap is back with a new small business competition aimed at local entrepreneurs.
AltCap program manager Christine Kahm said their first program is seeking to aid those businesses who aren’t looking for venture capital funds or angel investors, but who do need help getting their business idea off of the ground. AltCap – short for alternative capital – was the product of KCMO CDE’s rebrand last month.
“We’re trying to provide an opportunity for folks who are either in business and maybe struggling and want to grow, or those with an idea who need help getting it off of the ground,” Kahm said.
The program is a competition, and entering is free. Cash prizes for the top three finalists range from $500 to $5,000.
It is geared more toward “people who are looking to build a lifestyle and help provide for their family with their business idea,” Kahm said.
In addition to the cash prizes, the finalists also receive a scholarship to AltCap’s 16-week business-building workshop, marketing assistance, help finding office or retail space and consulting services.
The application is free, which Kahm said she hopes motivates anyone who is interested to consider it. Applicants have to submit a one- to two-minute video pitch about their business idea to AltCap by Sept. 30. Those that make it past round one will submit business proposals and financial templates to progress further in the competition.
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Godfather of content marketing joins the DivvyHQ team
Kansas City-based tech firm DivvyHQ just snagged an industry pioneer in content marketing for its board of directors. The Chief strategist for the Content Marketing Institute, Robert Rose recently joined the DivvyHQ team to lend his years of content marketing expertise. A nationwide speaker and author, Rose has developed content customer experience strategies for such…
Missouri named Hyperloop semifinalist, offering 760 mph alternative to I-70
Missouri is in the running to land a futuristic transportation system that would move people between Kansas City and St. Louis in only 23 minutes. On Wednesday, transportation tech firm Hyperloop One announced 11 semifinalist routes in the U.S. that could receive its system that propels vehicles at speeds of about 760 miles per hour.…
After $8.5M raise, KC-based Pepper eyes IoT dominance
From app-controlled toilets to smart egg trays, the world of IoT is rapidly expanding. In fact, by 2020, it’s expected that more than 24 billion internet-connected devices will be online. And now one well-heeled Kansas City-based IoT startup wants to serve as the hub for those gadgets. After it recently raised a $8.5 million Series…
Investor dinners, KC hospitality garner praise at Rise of the Rest Summit
Kansas City’s hospitality recently took center stage at the national Rise of the Rest Summit in Washington, D.C. Addressing ecosystem leaders around the nation, KCRise Fund managing director Darcy Howe shared strategies she’s used to build the KCRise fund, including a tactic that’s nourishing area startups — literally and figuratively. In addition to showcasing her…