Ten Kansas City entrepreneurs are about to have their moment in the spotlight, and this year, we’re taking it to the stars. AltCap, a Kansas City-based Community Development Financial Institution and microlender, is beyond excited to launch the 2026 AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition Top 10 finalists, kicking off a landmark 11th year of the competition!
This year’s entrepreneurs brought serious star power, showcasing the kind of skill, passion, and ingenuity that make Kansas City’s small business scene truly out of this world. Fitting, since this year’s theme is To The Stars.
Our judges spent countless hours poring over a galaxy of impressive applications from entrepreneurs across the Kansas City area, narrowing the field down through two competitive rounds to find the best of the best.
To everyone who applied and shared their vision with us, thank you! You’re the reason this competition keeps reaching new heights.
The Top 10 will also go head-to-head in the Fan Favorite competition, proudly sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, for a shot at a $5,000 cash prize. And here’s something new this year: instead of voting online ahead of time, Fan Favorite voting will happen live at AltCap Your Biz! Audiences will watch each founder’s pitch video in real time and cast their vote on the spot to crown a winner.
Mark your calendars: these ten small businesses will launch their live pitches during Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kansas City at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre at Union Station. The event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends, your family, and your loudest cheers. Finalists will be competing for a $35,000 grand prize and a $20,000 second-place prize!
This milestone 11th year comes with a lot to celebrate: the AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition has now awarded more than $260,000 in cash prizes to Kansas City entrepreneurs since its launch. To mark the occasion, we’re going bigger than ever. We’ve doubled our event capacity, launched a seven-week intensive pitch training course with professionally filmed pitches courtesy of IRIS Creative, and locked in a stellar host for the night: Glenn Robinson, aka “Hood Dude Food Reviews.” Trust us, you don’t want to miss this one.
Good luck to all of our 2026 finalists. You’ve already reached escape velocity, and we can’t wait to see where you go next.
We’ll see you, and your biggest supporters, on Nov. 18. Countdown to launch starts now!
Congratulations to our 2026 Top Ten Finalists!
BONICEL DENIM is an American Clothing Manufacturer and Denim Brand started by Easton Koch in 2022. Today, BONICEL specializes in American Made 5-Pocket Denim Jeans and other Lifetime Clothing Products.
Hella Good Deeds is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to building long-term cultural infrastructure, community-rooted ecosystems, and systems of belonging for Asian communities in Kansas City and throughout the Midwest.
Kansas City is home to a growing Asian population, yet the Midwest lacks the cultural infrastructure necessary to ensure Asian communities are visible, connected, and rooted for generations.
This is where Hella Good Deeds comes in. Our vision is to make Kansas City the epicenter of Asian culture in the Midwest.
INCLŪSIV Wellness is an inclusive wellness space located in Midtown Kansas City. We bring fitness, recovery, coworking, and community under one roof. Creating a place where people of all abilities can move, recover, work, and belong.
Chic card, stationery and gift brand curated to uplift, empower, celebrate and provide representation for women of color in the card and gift space.
Legacy Service Company (no website at this time)
Legacy Service Academy is a hands-on skilled-trades training program preparing the next generation of HVAC, plumbing, heating, and cooling professionals through real-world instruction and mobile training environments. Our mission is to bridge the skilled-labor gap by giving students practical experience, industry-ready skills, and a clear pathway to rewarding careers—Learn. Build. Serve. Lead.
Missouri Kansas Queer Law is a law firm dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community in the Kansas City metropolitan area and surrounding regions in Missouri and Kansas. Founded by Madeline Johnson and Arden Pearson, both attorneys with extensive experience in civil rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy, the firm focuses on providing affirming, accessible, and community-centered legal services
RESCUE ID is designed to give people, families and businesses greater control and instant notification when emergencies happen. When the QR code is scanned, responders will get the critical information to make more informed decisions and a text is sent to designated contacts. When seconds literally count, RESCUE ID helps people Be Safe.
Scream Queens is a woman and queer-owned vegan ice cream pop-up. This is vegan s’cream like you’ve never had it before–fun, innovate flavors and a creaminess you won’t believe is vegan, all handcrafted locally in Kansas City.
The BeVel Barber Lounge is a Kansas City-based premium grooming company building a scalable pathway to economic mobility for barbers and beauty professionals. Through mentorship, professional training, premium products, and replicable business systems, The BeVel equips professionals to grow from skilled practitioners into operators—because we believe every barber deserves a blueprint to capitalize on this billion-dollar industry.
**Your Healing Touch LLC** provides specialized medical pedicures and advanced foot care services that promote healthy nails, improve mobility, and help prevent foot complications, especially for seniors, individuals with diabetes, and those with medical concerns. Through compassionate, professional care delivered in a relaxing environment and mobile services, we are committed to restoring comfort, confidence, and overall wellness—one step at a time.
Next in Orbit: Our 2026 ACYB Alternates
Bubbles & Goo Fun Factory First Alternate
Bubbles & Goo is an interactive bubble and slime play destination for families in Kansas City’s River Market. Whether you’re visiting for open play, a birthday party, a field trip, or a special event, every experience is filled with hands-on fun, creativity, and unforgettable family memories.
No Divide KC Second Alternate
No Divide KC is an arts nonprofit organization that promotes creative projects to build community and spark social change. No Divide KC partners with Kansas City-based organizations and artists to create artistic events and educational programming that uplift marginalized voices in our community.
