Access to Capital

It is critically important for Kansas City’s small businesses to build a relationship with a financial partner that can help them not just survive, but also to thrive and to grow.

The KC Chamber’s Access to Capital events help connect small minority businesses more deeply to the capital that is available in our community.

The KC Chamber is working to address and break down systemic barriers to economic growth by assisting minority-owned businesses with planning and practices to improve access to capital and supporting area lenders with strategies to improve lending to small minority-owned businesses.

We do this through 3 different types of events:

Lenders’ Forum

Builds relationships between lenders and small minority businesses to increase lending in Low & Moderate Income (LMI) communities.
Minority business owners pitch their companies, answer questions, and get feedback from lenders.
Lenders’ Forums are held every two months in partnership with a regional Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO).

Capital Connections

Builds connections in an informal setting with an evening of networking between lenders and minority business owners.
Receptions are held three times a year across the greater Kansas City metro.

ESO Roundtable

Creates a community of practice where relationships can be cultivated, resulting in a more collaborative ecosystem in the metropolitan area.
Share best practices and provide training opportunities for ESOs to feel prepared to assist clients in loan packaging.
Held every other month.

The KC Chamber’s Access to Capital Program is funded through the Ewing Kauffman Foundation. If you are a lender, diverse business or an ESO and would like to participate in any of these programs, contact:

Kasey Strahm

Program Administrator, Access to Capital

Vicky Kulikov

Director of Small Business

(816) 374-5458