KANSAS CITY, Mo. — 10 entrepreneurs made their case to judges on Saturday, hoping to get a share of $60,000 for their business.
KC G.I.F.T. hosted their Pitch Black Business Summit, opening the door for any black owned business in Kansas City to participate. For some folks, it can make a massive difference.
“It would have a huge impact on us,” said James McGee with the Mutual Musicians Foundation.
“It would probably take our organization’s revenue up about 50% year over year.”
The 10 companies included restaurants, cocktail lounges, food products, beauty services and more. Brian Roberts started Black Pantry because he wanted to highlight black businesses.
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“It was also a way for me to display my products in consumer-packaged goods space,” he said.
“I was seeing a lack of that in Kansas City.”
They all have ideas on how to spend their prize money. Roberts would like to increase patio seating, and McGee wants to hire a docent to show off their historic building.
At In Good Company, they want to provide more services and events for their members.
“[We want to] curate experiences for the members and then allowing the members to enhance the experiences by really throwing out ideas,” said Dan Edwards, co-founder of In Good Company.
While the money will go a long way for these entrepreneurs, they are also learning how to partner and grow together. The 10 prepared for the class together at KC G.I.F.T., and got to understand more about each other’s past, present and future.
“I like to see the ecosystem that we’re building,” Roberts said on Saturday.
“Over half the people who are part of the pitch competition, I have relationships with the business in some parts, so it’s really like a family thing.”
Edwards says that it’s encouraging to see other black-owned businesses share in their wins and struggles.
“We’re showing what it looks like to be in a really socially diverse community,” he said.
Civic Saint took home first prize in the competition and $30,000. The Combine came in second and received $20,000, while Hive + Harvest received $10,000 for their third-place result.
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