AltCap, a Kansas City community development financial institution, presents two educational opportunities for entrepreneurs in October.
AltCap has generated economic and community impact in Kansas City through investments, financing options for job-creating small businesses and by educating entrepreneurs on skills and resources since 2008.
Sharing economy
Early in October, entrepreneurs can learn more about the power of a sharing economy. AltCap will host “Break Into the Sharing Economy,” a panel discussion featuring local entrepreneurs and experts who have experienced unique challenges and rewarding successes in the new economic system.
Panel members include William Bates, entrepreneur and Airbnb operator, Diane Binckley, deputy director, City Planning & Development for Kansas City, Missouri; Shea Geist, entrepreneur and Uber/Lyft/Amazon Driver; and Steve Mitchell, partner at Lathrop Gage. The panel will be moderated by Ryan Weber, president of KC Tech Council.
“As a lender to a number of entrepreneurs participating in the sharing economy, AltCap believes in the power of this new transaction model to economically empower individuals throughout the metro,” said Ruben Alonso III, AltCap president. “We are excited to offer a platform for existing entrepreneurs and subject matter experts to share their experiences about this growing sector of the economy.”
The free Oct. 3 panel presentation requires registration via Eventbrite. It will be at 5:30 p.m. at Plexpod Westport Commons.
Real estate development
Shifting gears from shared economies to neighborhoods, AltCap also will host a one-day Small Scale Development Workshop to promote neighborhood development for communities and those working in economic development on Oct. 15.
The workshop will be facilitated by Minnesota-based Incremental Development Alliance, an organization that promotes the small-scale development through education for entrepreneurs on how to build value in neighborhoods.
“Small-scale development represents an opportunity for residents to be a greater part of transforming the built environment around them to support healthy, sustainable and economically thriving communities,” Alonso said. “AltCap is excited to welcome the Incremental Development Alliance back to Kansas City and help empower more entrepreneurial Kansas Citians to invest in their communities.”
Outcomes of the workshop will include information on analyzing what makes a good project, how a building makes money, and how small developers interact with the broader ecosystem of professionals in the built environment. Individuals will leave the workshop prepared to embark on their own small-scale neighborhood projects.
The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kansas City Public Library’s Central Library branch.
Registration is required through Incremental Development Alliance. Early bird pricing, $179 per person, is available until Sept. 21. Scholarships are also available for those eligible. Register at IncrementalDevelopment.org.
