AltCap, GIFT, small business allies partner to expand opportunities for Black-owned ventures

Ruben Alonso, president, AltCap; Kelvin Perry, president, Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City; Karis Harrington, chief of business development, G.I.F.T.; Brandon Calloway, CEO and co-founder, G.I.F.T.; Emily Lecuyer, managing director, equity2 (not pictured, Josh Rowland, CEO and vice chairman, Lead Bank)

A coalition of Kansas City organizations have joined forces to launch a new partnership that will invest in the region’s Black-owned small businesses through flexible debt and equity financing, grant funding and business advisory services, the group announced Thursday. “Unfortunately, many Black entrepreneurs are left out of the financial mainstream when it comes to business…

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$1M investment in new impact fund to boost minority and women-owned ventures in KC

A $1 million cash injection from The Sunderland Foundation will further efforts to bolster the only impact-oriented, opportunity zone fund focused entirely on Kansas City.  equity2 Partners announced the investment Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for the mission driven impact investment firm which has committed to deploying capital in inclusive and equitable ways — especially amid the…

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COVID is hurting small biz — but how to help? AltCap, KCBizCare launch listening tour to find best strategy

Small Business Big Voice

To help Kansas City’s small business community, leaders first must know what entrepreneurs actually need, said Ruben Alonso, announcing the launch of a KCMO-backed, city-wide listening tour. “As we look to recover from the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, it is critical we hear from small businesses, the lifeblood of our communities so that we…

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$100K in microgrants awarded across 23 struggling, but resilient minority businesses

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. A COVID-era resiliency fund that quickly closed applications after receiving a deluge of response from entrepreneurs in need has awarded microgrants to 23 minority businesses on both sides of the state…

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