MoneyFest 2024

Thursday, May 16, 2024 @ Innovation Portal Money Fest is a symposium focused on all things capital, featuring breakout sessions about different types of funding, insights from founders sharing their funding stories, and access to the region’s experts. Participants leave with connections and understanding on the different sources of funding available, which sources are most appropriate for their businesses and goals, and how to best position their business when seeking funding.

WHEN: Thursday, May 16th

WHERE: Innovation Portal, Mobile, Alabama  

WHO: Entrepreneurs, small business owners, startup teams, investors, students in finance and business disciplines

EVENT SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)

8:00 AM   8:30 AM:  Registration and Welcome Breakfast 

8:45 AM   9:30 AM:  Opening Keynote: “The Future of Finance for Startups”  

Speaker: Kathleen Hale, Partner and COO – Builders & Backers

9:45 AM   10:30 AM:  Panel Discussion: “Navigating Loans and Equity for Startups”  

Panelists: Matthew McElveen – Voyager Lending; Kwam Aidoo, Corridor Ventures. 

10:45 AM   11:30 AM: Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend) 

“Pitch Perfect” – Stephen Riggs

“Free money? The role of grants in the startup ecosystem” Dr. Michael Chambers, University of South Alabama

“SBA Lending and What You Need to Know” – TBD

11:30 AM    12:15 PM: Capital Conversations (one-on-one’s with bankers)

Scheduled 15 minute conversations with local bankers 

12:15 PM   1:00 PM:  Networking Lunch w/ Entrepreneur Panel

Panel TBA

1:00 PM   1:45 PM:  Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend)

“Legal and Raising” – Hunter Adams, Adams IP

“Building the Business Plan” – Mel Washington, Alabama SBDC 

Building Your Credit (Business and Personal) – Kevin Cooper, Operation Hope

2:00 PM   2:45 PM:  Programs for Startups: “Growing the Future”  

Speakers: Leavie King, Minority Build a Business Accelerator; Rick Miller, Blueprint for Capital; Don Mosley, MBA and MBD; Nick Hampton, Portal Fund:Rise and TechAcademy; Danette Richards, Thrive, Mike Ozburn, gBETA Gulf Coast.

3:00 PM   3:45 PM:  I Need an Angel: A Conversation with Angel Investors 

Panelists: Gulf South Angels

4:30 PM   5:30 PM:  Networking Mixer

MoneyFest 2024 is made possible through our sponsors and partners:

Voyager Lending: Helping Small Businesses Take Flight

As a division of Merchants & Marine Bank, Voyager Lending partners with small businesses by offering government-guaranteed lending solutions. Deeply committed to helping communities sustain and grow, we deliver knowledgeable and personalized service for a seamless experience.

***Additionally, this program was prepared by Innovation Portal using Federal funds under award MB23OBD0340330 from the Minority Development Business Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Minority Development Business Agency or the U.S. Department of Commerce.