Fan favorite vote: AltCap Your Biz launches crowd-sourced contest as pitch event nears

One of 10 finalists in a popular fall pitch event for small businesses is expected to win $5,000 based solely on community votes, leaders at AltCap announced Friday, launching this year’s voting portal ahead of mid-November competition at Union Station.

“The Fan Favorite Contest invites the community to discover amazing local businesses, to learn about founders’ journeys, and to support our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Bobby Burch, director of marketing and communications at AltCap. “We’re excited to see who the public crowns for the $5,000 cash prize.”

AltCap Your Biz finalists were released in September, with companies ranging from gameday sports activations and skin care products to a ghost kitchen, business incubator and urban monastery. Entrepreneurs representing the businesses will compete Nov. 19 for $60,000 in prizes.

ICYMI: Meet the competition: AltCap Your Biz unveils finalists

Among the prizes: a $5,000 fan-selected crowd favorite award, voted on by supporters before the event. (The prize amount is doubled from 2024.)

Click here to watch finalists’ pitch videos, then cast your vote.

Voting is now open and runs through Oct. 17. The winner is expected to be announced at the November live event at Union Station during festivities for Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City. (Registrations for GEWKC launched Thursday. Click here to learn more.)

“The AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition is about more than funding — it’s about celebrating Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community,” Burch said. “The 2025 AltCap Your Biz finalists embody the grit, creativity, and innovation that make Kansas City so special.”

2025 AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition finalists: Suzanne Gunn, AuraMed Spa and Wellness; La’Nesha Frazier, Bliss Books & Wine; Leia Barrett and Jessie Davis, Dog Mom Club; Atticus Sloan and Mark Manning, E-Z Pedicabs; Lesly Romo, Golazo; Yasmen Hassen and Lujyn Elsayed, HerCafe; Isha Williams, ICE Studios School of Dance; Christy and Charlie Vincent, MOC BOD; Marvin Estill, Project IOTA; and LaToya Sirls, Someday Sunday; courtesy photos

E-Z Pedicabs — winner of the 2024 Fan Favorite vote, and a returning finalist for the 2025 competition — pledged to use the 2024 prize money for its team, according to founder Atticus Sloan after the previous competition, noting plans to purchase driving gloves, goggles, and jackets for our drivers, along with a new laptop for its marketing team.

He stressed the validation that came with winning the community-backed portion of the competition in 2024. 

“As a new company and small business trying to find our footing and continue to grow, it’s never been more clear that we are well on our way,” Sloan said. “To make it into the Top 10 finalists in our first ever grant entry was a total win on its own, but to have so many of our friends, family, and incredible riders take time out to vote for us to win something means more to this team than we can express.”

The Fan Favorite is just one add-on to the main competition. Finalists also are preparing to begin target training with AltCap’s community partner Kansas City G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow) to help entrepreneurs refine their story, sharpen their strategy, and prepare to take the stage during GEWKC.

“This behind-the-scenes preparation is what makes AltCap Your Biz so much more than a competition — it’s an investment in people, their vision, and community impact,” said Brant Stacy, community partnership manager for AltCap. “Thanks to our community partner G.I.F.T. KC, each finalist will have access to expert guidance, practical tools, and the confidence-building support they need to pitch with purpose. We’re so grateful to G.I.F.T. KC for their support and their dedication to Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community.”