Final answer:
Kobe and Akeelah's contributions to their restaurant should be classified as owner's equity, reflecting an investment into their business. Such personal funding is typical in small business startups, with angel investors as an alternative source.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kobe and Akeelah’s contributions to their new restaurant venture should be classified as owner's equity. In business, when the owners put their funds into the venture, it is an investment, and these amounts are recorded in the equity section of the business’s balance sheet. This type of financing is quite common in small businesses, including startups such as restaurants or gas stations, where the owners cover startup costs through personal funds or by borrowing, possibly using personal assets as collateral. At times, angel investors may contribute capital in exchange for ownership equity, but in this case, Kobe and Akeelah are using their resources.