Let’s talk bank loans, business credit, and financing you can actually qualify for. This panel will cover traditional and nontraditional lending options — from SBA loans and lines of credit to microloans, CDFIs, and business credit programs. We’ll dig into what lenders are really looking for, what makes you fundable on paper, and how to prepare your business to qualify for the capital it needs to grow. 

We’re looking for panelists who…

Have direct experience with lending — whether as financial professionals, lenders, advisors, or founders who have successfully navigated the lending process. We’d love to include voices from community lending programs, traditional banks, and credit experts who understand what it takes to get approved and stay fundable.

Things we may discuss:

• What are the most accessible lending options for early-stage or pre-revenue businesses?

• What do lenders really care about when assessing your application?

• How can founders build business credit — and what does that even mean?

• What are red flags that could hurt your chances of approval (and how do you fix them)?

• What documents or systems should you have in place before applying for funding?

• How do you choose the right lender — and what questions should you be asking them?

Whether you’re a founder who’s secured funding or a professional who helps others do the same, this panel is designed to offer both strategy and solidarity around the lending process.

This session is all about helping women navigate venture capital and angel investments (where women are severely underfunded yet consistently overperforming… time to change that!). We’ll explore what makes a business fundable in the eyes of investors, what founders should (and shouldn’t) give up in exchange for capital, and how to tell if this path is even right for your business.

We’re looking for panelists who…

Are experienced in early-stage investing — including VC partners, angel investors, accelerator leaders, or founders who’ve raised venture or angel funding themselves. We’re especially seeking panelists who can speak to inclusive funding practices, realistic expectations, and founder-friendly deal terms.

Things we may discuss:

• What makes a business “investable” — and how much of that is actually negotiable?

• What’s the emotional and energetic cost of raising capital — and how do you best navigate that as a woman?

• How do you maintain ownership, boundaries, and vision while still raising outside money?

• What myths about VC or angel investing keep women from even trying — and what’s actually true?

• What would panelists do differently if they could go back and raise capital again?

• How do warm intros, pitch decks, and investor updates really work behind the scenes?

This panel is designed to help founders understand what’s possible — and what’s actually profitable — when raising outside capital.

Grants can be a powerful funding path with no repayment, equity, or strings attached — but the process can feel confusing, competitive, or potentially like it’s not “for you.” This panel is here to change that. We’ll talk about how to find the right grants, what makes an application stand out, and how to build internal systems that make applying less ‘spaghetti-at-the-wall’ and more strategic. 

We’re looking for panelists who…

Have experience with grant funding — as founders who’ve won grants, reviewers who evaluate applications, or leaders who run grant programs. We’re especially seeking panelists who can speak to non-dilutive funding strategies and how to use grants to grow without pressure to scale fast.

Things we may discuss:

• Where do you actually find grants that are relevant to your business stage or industry?

• What makes an application compelling — and what gets it tossed?

• How can founders repurpose assets for grant submissions?

• What internal systems or workflows make grant applications easier and more repeatable?

• How do you navigate imposter syndrome or perfectionism when writing grants?

• How do you use small grants to unlock bigger funding opportunities?

This panel is all about making grant funding accessible, strategic, and part of a sustainable funding plan — especially for underestimated founders.

This session is where everything comes together — because no matter how you fund your business, you need to know how to clearly communicate your value. This panel will explore the art (and strategy) of a powerful pitch: how to position what you do, speak to what matters, and get the right people to lean in.

Unlike our other panels, this session will also include live pitch feedback from panelists. Select attendees will be invited to share their elevator pitch live — and receive constructive, encouraging feedback on how to make it more compelling.

We’re looking for panelists who…

Are experienced in storytelling, brand positioning, public speaking, fundraising, or pitch coaching — including investors, funders, coaches, founders, or leaders who help others shape and sharpen their message. Bonus if you’ve judged pitch competitions or led pitch prep programs.

Things we may discuss:

• What makes a 60-second elevator pitch actually effective?

• How much should you tailor a pitch to different funding sources?

• What are the most common mistakes founders make when pitching (and how do you fix them)?

• How can founders show up confidently even if they feel nervous or underqualified?

• What’s the difference between pitching an idea vs. a company vs. a founder?

• What do panelists listen for — and what makes them want to hear more?

This interactive session is designed to help founders refine their pitch in real time — and walk away with sharper language, stronger delivery, and more confidence.