Not high-growth or a tech startup? AltCap Your Biz $10K prize could be the boost you need
September 21, 2018 | Austin Barnes
A $10,000 prize can mean a world of difference for the right entrepreneurial dream, said Davin Gordon.
“There’s not a ton of opportunities for small businesses to not only pitch their business and go through that process, but actually have an opportunity to win some money,” he said.
Entering its fourth year on the startup scene, the AltCap Your Biz competition offers startups the chance to pitch their business and win money with no strings attached, Gordon, AltCap’s business development officer, explained.
“I think it’s so important because it gives [opportunity to] those small to mid-size companies that don’t really stand a chance [in funding competitions against more advanced startups],” he said.
Interested in applying? Submit an online application and two-minute pitch video that answers six business questions by 5 p.m. Oct. 3, Gordon said with urgency. AltCap –– a community development financial institution focused on aiding underserved populations –– enforces a strict deadline for applications.
“That’s the only way you can kind of weed out those that are serious about this,” Gordon said of the deadline.
Applicants accepted into the competition’s top 10 will submit detailed business proposals to AltCap judges. From there, finalists will be chosen to make an in-person pitch.
The winning entrepreneur(s) will be announced Nov. 14, as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week programming.
Although certain restrictions apply, startups don’t have to be high-growth or tech ventures to throw their hat into the ring. Small businesses of all kinds are encouraged to apply, Gordon said.
“This gives some of these small folks an opportunity to directly apply [the prize money] to their business right away,” he said.
Past winners of the AltCap Your Biz competition include; BareFood’n Happy, Maker Village, and Hostel KC.
A second-place $5,000 prize and third-place $2,500 also are awarded.
“I’ve kept this very mission-driven and we’re very community-oriented. That’s a huge component for us … How is this going to contribute to our local community and to the ecosystem here in Kansas City?” Gordon said.
The winner of the 2018 AltCap Your Biz competition will also receive help finding office/retail space and consulting services to help develop their brand.
Click here to apply for the AltCap Your Biz competition.
Featured Business
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
WillCo Technologies hiring 90 people after snagging energy-saving patent
The average american household wastes up to 61 percent of its energy input. Kevin Williams, CEO of WillCo Technologies, said that this is because of the way electrical grids are designed. Although the average consumer requires significantly less power during school and work hours, the grid keeps energy limits consistently high in order to sustain through…
Startland goes to Ireland with the Pipeline fellowship
This week, Startland News is traveling to Ireland with the Pipeline entrepreneurial fellowship program. Startland News editor-in-chief Bobby Burch is with the group as it hosts its finance module — in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Dublin, Ireland — and celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Check out the video below for more information on the trip!
Meet Techweek Kansas City’s 2016 LaunchKC winners
After a morning evaluating 20 pitches at Union Station, a panel of LaunchKC judges revealed the 10 startups that each snagged a $50,000 grant. LaunchKC — which distributes $500,000 via 10, $50,000 non-dilutive grants — drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a row. The 20 finalists included 11 from…
KCUR and Startland chat Techweek, Kansas City entrepreneurship
Startland News editor-in-chief Bobby Burch hopped on KCUR’s Central Standard to discuss Techweek Kansas City and challenges facing area startups. Listen to the conversation below. Special thanks to KCUR for sharing its content!