Looking to fund your business?
Learn about the varying pathways to capital, and how to access the best-fits for YOU and YOUR business.
On March 24th, 2022, LWL hosted “Pathways to Capital,” a Free Virtual Summit that elevated varying pathways to public and private funding. Alongside leading funders and small business owners, attendees learned more about how to find and successfully navigate a variety of opportunities, and YOU CAN TOO!
Visit the Summit’s full recap, including recordings of all sessions, to:
Learn about grant and other programs (capital, community & education)
Dive into public funding opportunities and supports
Explore private financing to support growth and/or to navigate challenges
Leverage women and diverse-owned business certifications
Gain insight into venture capital and if this pathway is for you
Explore if and how to engage angel investors as business partners
Watch the sessions
Choosing the Right Funding for YOUR Business! →
Every business is unique, with its own pathway to growth and scale. There is no one “right” way to do it. Watch Sarah Friar, Co-Founder of Ladies Who Launch, in conversation with Kathryn Finney, Founder of Genius Guild, to explore her founder journey. Kathryn shares her extensive experience as a pioneering entrepreneur turned visionary Venture Capitalist and Angel Investor. Hear how she navigated both building and selling her own business, and how she’s now helping black women do the same! Be inspired to “Build the Damn Thing!,” while figuring out the best pathways for YOU and YOUR business!
Tapping into Programs that offer Capital, Community, & Education in the U.S. & Beyond →
Are you looking for a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to secure funding for your business? Are you in need of educational support to build and grow your business? Listen to this panel of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have participated in a variety of programs that offer capital, community, and/or education in the United States and beyond. Learn how they found these programs, why they applied, and how these opportunities have helped them scale!
Maximizing the Small Business Administration’s Resources: A Fireside Chat with Administrator Guzman →
Have you tapped into the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) extensive funding, coaching, and training opportunities to support your business’ success? Do you know what funding opportunities exist or have you leveraged your Community Navigator Program yet? Listen to Sarah Friar, Co-Founder of Ladies Who Launch, along with the Administrator of the SBA (i.e. the CEO!), Isabella Casillas Guzman, for a deep dive into the opportunities available to support you in starting and growing your business!
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration
Exploring Private Financing: Founder & Funder Success Stories →
Just 35 years ago, women couldn’t secure loans without a male co-signer, and today, only 25% of women business owners seek financing. Yet, private financing is an important pathway to support scaling, as well as navigate the hard and ever-changing times. Hear from two founders and their investor partners on how they successfully navigated identifying, accessing, securing & maximizing private financing opportunities - and how you can too!
Seeking Certification: Opening Doors to New Revenue & Resources →
As business owners seek to acquire new customers and revenue streams, Business Enterprise Certifications are an important consideration. More and more corporations are seeking to diversify their supply chains. This affords our business community an opportunity to gain critical exposure and access to corporations, education, and additional resources. Moderated by Deon Crayton, Supplier Diversity Specialist at United Airlines and a long-time advocate of women- and minority-owned businesses, you will hear from an expert panel of women who will share more about what certifications are, the benefits they offer, and how to navigate the application process.
Deon Crayton, Supplier Diversity Specialist, United Airlines
Cynthia J. Johnson, Director, Established Business Services, Women's Business Development Center
Lauren Schweppe, Director, Programs & Stakeholder Advocacy, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Demystifying Venture Capital and Identifying if it is a Good Fit For Your Business →
Do you want to scale your business and wonder if you should pursue Venture Capital (VC)? Do you worry about the risks associated with VC, and/or want to maintain 100% equity in your business, but aren’t sure what alternative pathways exist? Hear from an expert panel to learn more about what VC is, how to determine if it is for your business, and explore some of the pro’s and con’s.
Anna Collins, President and CEO, JetClosing, Board Member, Ladies Who Launch
Lovina McMurchy, COO, Kry10 Limited / formerly General Partner, Movac Capital
Ali Rosenthal, Founder and Managing Partner, Leadout Capital
Bring on the Angel (Investors!) →
Are you interested in finding an investor who will fund your business and be a close collaborator as you seek to scale? Have you ever considered finding an Angel Investor? Hear from a global panel to better understand what angel investing is, how you can find and access this important fundraising network, and how best to position yourself for success.
Thanks to Our Partners
LWL’s free programming is made possible thanks to the generous support of our steadfast partners. Thank you for your support and for helping women and non-binary founders achieve their dreams!
