New summer pitch competition builds on KCMO capital programs’ early success; applications open now
May 31, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
A new pitch competition is expected to give impactful small businesses and startups an opportunity to gain broader exposure and win cash prizes as the city’s KC BizCare Office expands capital programs supporting entrepreneurs in Kansas City, Missouri.
In late July, five selected business leaders are set to pitch their ideas to about 50 judges, each loaded with $1,000 to give to their top pick.
Regina Sosa, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri
The initiative is the second phase of KC BizCare’s Micro-Business Grant Program — part of the Kansas City Small Business Capital Programs — which has already awarded grants to four businesses in its first cycle.
RELATED: Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color
The new phase of the program aims to be more interactive and inclusive, focusing on businesses that give back, said Regina Sosa, capital access manager with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC), which is coordinating the capital programs with KCMO.
“We wanted to emphasize community engagement — both in getting the name of the program out there, but also in promoting more of the businesses themselves,” said Sosa.
Applications for the pitch competition are open until June 14.
Click here to apply for the Social Impact Pitch Competition.
Supporting those making a change
Eligible businesses must be Kansas City-based, private, for-profit, have fewer than 10 employees, and have been in operation for at least a year. Judges will initially be selected from an advisory committee, including members from EDCKC, KC BizCare, Prospect Business Association, and CrossFirst Bank.
[Editor’s note: Startland News is a partner of the KC BizCare Office and the EDCKC.]
Social impact businesses that qualify for the competition include any that contribute to Kansas City in a positive way with their work, including those involved in education, sustainability, cultural preservation, and more, said Sosa.
“The inspiration behind targeting social impact businesses came from a makeup artist who provides free services to victims of domestic violence to help build their confidence,” she explained. “We’re focusing on businesses like that — entrepreneurs who we don’t really celebrate as much as they deserve.”
KC Small Business Capital Programs
The KC BizCare Office, in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and EDCKC, launched Kansas City Small Business Capital Programs in February to provide startups with access to capital, promoting innovation and economic growth.
ICYMI: New capital programs for KC small businesses unveiled, starting with micro-biz grants
This broader initiative offers Kansas City small businesses low-interest loans, grants, and financial assistance, along with training and technical support to help entrepreneurs succeed.
“Together, we can connect entrepreneurs with the tools they need to access low to no-interest capital, fueling business growth and enriching our local economy,” ,” said Shakia Webb, program officer with the Kauffman Foundation. “We can build a more inclusive future for all Kansas Citians.”
Building a better KCMO
For businesses preparing to pitch, Sosa emphasized that storytelling is crucial: what makes a winning pitch is how well the business knows itself and can articulate its impact, she said.
“Be very thorough, very detailed. This is the time to really showcase your talent as an entrepreneur, and the impact that your business is having,” said Sosa.
Training will be provided beforehand to help businesses make the most out of the opportunity.
With its recognition of entrepreneurs and the support available for them, Sosa hopes the pitch competition will have a lasting impact on Kansas City’s small business community.
“A lot of what we do is building a better KCMO — and not only showing the resources that are here for entrepreneurs — but actually making Kansas City a place where people want to come and do business,” she said.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KC’s ‘Horn Doctor’ handcrafts jazz preservation, keeping soul, tradition alive on Vine Street
Across the historic intersection at Kansas City’s 12th and Vine streets, B.A.C. Musical Instruments operates as one of the few remaining American factories handcrafting professional brass instruments. “This is where all the musicians would hang out back in the day,” said founder Mike “Horn Doctor” Corrigan, gesturing toward the Paseo sunken garden beside his shop.…
Autotech startup revs after patent stall; signature tech removes emissions, waste from diesel logistics
Fresh fuel is pumping into NORDEF after the Kansas City autotech company finally received patent approval for its signature product, co-founder William Walls said, pushing the pedal on its mission to disrupt the automotive fluid industry. Four years after applying for a provisional patent for its technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid on-demand — and…
rOOTS KC grows into third location, planting shop in River Market ahead of World Cup
Initially setting its roots as a pop-up plant shop in 2020, Dee Ferguson’s leafy business has grown to three Kansas City locations. The secret is in the soil, she said, describing a strategy for cultivating customers through free, evergreen plant care support and “community-rooted spirit.” [pullquote] The name rOOTS comes from Dee Ferguson’s surname: Oots.…
Summer funding pushes CarePilot to team hires, AI accolades, healthtech product launch
Fresh off its summer capital infusion, a Kansas City-built AI startup that helps doctors focus on patients instead of administrative tasks is earning industry recognition and dropping another new product, said Joseph Tutera, sharing credit for the milestones with behind-the-scenes talent. “We have a young team and they don’t have the encumbrance of a prior…