KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Navy veteran and businessman from Kansas City was back in town Friday night following a big trip to the White House, where he was honored for his efforts to help fellow veterans.
Jim Allen received the 2014 Champions of Change award Wednesday afternoon in Washington, D.C. It’s a recognition reserved for just a handful of veterans across the nation who are transforming their communities through successful businesses and non-profits.
Allen won the entrepreneurship award for a start-up he co-founded called Honor Capital, LLC. It’s a local venture that helps post 9/11 veterans connect with investors so they can become small business owners.
“It’s just an honor to be at the White House,” Allen told FOX 4 after his trip. “And I’d never been inside before and it’s just really interesting to see how great this nation is and to see what it does when it’s harnessed in the right direction.”
There were 600 applicants for the award this year; Allen was one of just 12 people to receive it.
“They have everything you need,” Allen said of veterans. “They have education, experience, leadership skills, discipline, they can execute a business plan.”
“But they just don’t have any money, most of them,” he continued. “And that’s the problem we’re trying to solve, is to provide the capital for them.”
