The Kansas City region (Metro KC) has a rich set of support resources for its entrepreneurial community: it has many lending institutions providing financing to small businesses and several technical assistance providers serving small-business owners. However, the region still has ample room to develop in terms of connecting entrepreneurs—particularly the smallest ones and those in historically underserved communities—to the capital and support they need to launch and grow their enterprises.
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As one of five Parade of Hearts beneficiaries selected, AltCap will direct funds toward grants and business advisory services for minority and women-owned small businesses, giving them the tools needed for continued recovery and growth.

AltCap is proud to announce two members of our team will be participating in the 18th Annual Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long convening dedicated to exploring the ideas and issues that shape and challenge communities.

“There’s a gap in ability to complete the process,” said Ruben Alonso, CEO of AltCap, a community lender in Kansas City, Missouri. “It takes a lot of time for entrepreneurs who are working to keep businesses open.”

One of Kansas City's most successful and important local lenders during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic is receiving a $5.3 million booster from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

The community development financial institution pumped almost $13 million into small businesses in the metro area through pandemic relief programs, with a substantial portion going to small enterprises owned by people of color and women.

Black-owned firms seeking capital are only half as likely as their white counterparts to obtain funding, creating a "deeply rooted systemic problem." But a new Kansas City program aims to do something about that.

When his business took a hit due to mandatory shutdowns of nonessential businesses and stay-at-home orders, he turned to AltCap. Isaac’s friend recommended he apply for AltCap’s KC Region Small Business Relief + Recovery Loan Fund, which served as the first glimpse of hope for many Kansas City small businesses before the government launched the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

In an effort to increase that number, G.I.F.T is teaming up with Lead Bank, Alt-Cap, The Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and equity2.

Ten finalists pitched Wednesday at AltCap’s “Closing the Deal” competition, with four businesses taking home cash prizes. AltCap, which presented the event alongside UMB Bank, awarded the biggest check to Nguyen’s Cafe Cà Phê.

PNC Bank provided $5 million in bridge capital to Kansas City-based AltCap, to provide Paycheck Protection Program loans to local, small and minority-owned businesses that have been unable to secure funding from traditional banks.

Nonprofit AltCap helps steer money for recovery to business owners often overlooked for loans.

Understanding common terminology among lending operations is the first step in creating a more inclusive economy. Learn more about the language we use and better understand the issues we aim to solve.