MoneyFest 2026

MoneyFest 2026

Presented by:

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Innovation Portal, Mobile, Alabama
Cost: FREE (RSVP required)

What is MoneyFest?

MoneyFest is a free, one-day event that helps entrepreneurs and business owners find and understand the money they need to start and grow their businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, MoneyFest connects you with experts who can guide you through the many ways to fund your business for the next level.

Why Attend?

Finding money for your business can be confusing and overwhelming. At MoneyFest, we make it simple. You’ll learn about all types of funding options – from bank loans and investors to grants and bootstrapping – explained in plain, easy-to-understand language.

What to Expect:

• Learn from experts about different types of funding and which ones are right for your business
• Hear real stories from local business owners who have successfully funded their companies
• Attend practical workshops on topics like building credit and preparing financial documents
• Meet one-on-one with bankers and investors who can help fund your business
  • *Capital Conversations are assigned on a first come, first serve basis depending on funder availability. If you do not receive an assignment, feel free to connect with funders in the room.
• Network with other entrepreneurs and funding professionals
• Join us for a happy hour after the event to continue making valuable connections

Who Should Attend:

• Entrepreneurs with business ideas
• Startup founders
• Small business owners looking to grow
• Anyone interested in learning about business funding

Cost:

Thanks to our sponsors, this event is completely FREE to attend! Please RSVP Prior to the event so we can plan accordingly!

Event Schedule (Subject to Change)

• 8:00 AM:  Doors Open
  • Sign-In
  • Breakfast & Coffee
    • Coffee Sponsored by: Bay Business News
• 8:30 AM:  Welcome
• 8:45 AM:  Intro to MoneyFEST 2026
  • Portal Staff
• 9:25 AM: What type of money does your business need? (Panel)
  • Moderator: Robert McAlister – Lead Advisor, Foundry: Financial; Entrepreneur In Residence, The Idea Village
  • Panelists:
    • Mary Wallace Hannon – Operations & Strategic Communications Manager, Regions Foundation
    • Frederic Clark – Senior SBA Development Officer, Voyager Lending
    • Lindsey Benefield – InvestMS Fund Manager, Innovate Mississippi
• 10:15 AM  Networking Break & Intro to Capital Conversations
  • Capital Conversations* – Scheduled 15 minute conversations with funders (Banks, Investors, Grantors)
• 10:50 AM: Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend) 
  • Investment Track:
    • Preparing to Raise Funds What Funders Want to See
      • Lindsey Benefield, InvestMS Fund Manager, Innovate Mississippi
  • Lending Track:
    • Bank on Your Success How do your personal finances affect your business finances…especially at launch
      • Jill Godard, Vice President, Workplace Banking and Financial Empowerment Leader Truist Bank
  • Social Impact/Nonprofit Track:
    • Do Good AND Make Money: Why Your Business Model Still Matters…Even as a Mission-Driven Organization (Panel)
      • Moderator: Chris Gibson – Executive Director, Mobile United
      • Panelists:
        • Neil Christopher – CFO, Precision IBC
        • Dr. Valencia Belle – Founder, S.C.H.O.O.L.S.
        • Matt Armbruster – Founder & Executive Director, Ransom Solutions
• 11:50 AM: Lunch & Capital Conversations
  • Capital Conversations* – Scheduled 15 minute conversations with funders (Banks, Investors, Grantors)
• 12:50 PM: Featured Panel: You Can’t Manage What You Don’t See: Stop Avoiding Your Financial Data
  • Moderator: Ben G. Kaiser
  • Panelists:
    • Dr. Gia Wiggins – Founder, Auditocity
    • Micah Wheeler – Partner, Wilkins Miller
    • Dr. Todd Greer – Executive Director, Innovation Portal
    • Nigel Glenday – CFO, Masterworks
• 1:30 PM:  Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend)
  • Investment Track:
    • The Investment Journey: From Startup to Scale (Panel)
      • Moderator: Hunter Adams – Adams IP
      • Panelists:
        • Dylan Murray – Co-Founder & COO, Exactics
        • Dr. Gia Wiggins – Founder, Auditocity
        • JD Jernigan – Program Manager, gBETA Gulf Coast (4-Time Founder)
  • Lending Track:
    • Interpreting Your Financial Data What do these numbers actually mean?
      • Micah Wheeler – Partner, Wilkins Miller
  • Social Impact/Nonprofit Track:
    • Where Does your Money Come From? Financial Sustainability In the Non-Profit Sector
      • Gabrielle Gunn, Sr. Consultant, Evan James Consulting
• 2:15 PM  Networking Break & Capital Conversations
  • Capital Conversations – Scheduled 15 minute conversations with funders (Banks, Investors, Grantors)
• 2:40 PM:  Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend)
  • Investment Track:
    • What If You Get What You Ask For? Pitches, Term Sheets, & Valuation Basics
      • Kelly Reeser, Managing Partner, GAIN Capital
      • JD Jernigan, Program Manager, gBETA Gulf Coast
  • Lending Track:
    • What Do Lenders Want to See From You? (Panel)
      • Moderator: Nick Hampton – Innovation Portal
      • Panelists:
        • Reginald Smith – Business Relationship Officer, Avadian Credit Union
        • Joel Ross – VP, SBA Banker, Regions Bank
        • Tyrone Fenderson – SVP, Gulf Coast Middle Market Lender, Truist Bank
        • Frederic Clark – Senior SBA Development Officer, Voyager Lending
  • Social Impact/Nonprofit Track:
    • What is a Grant? And what does it take to get one?
      • Mary Wallace Hannon – Operations & Strategic Communications Manager, Regions Foundation
• 3:35 PM: Closing Session
  • Portal Staff
• 4:25 PM: Closing Remarks
  • Todd Greer – Executive Director, Innovation Portal
• 4:40 PM:  Networking Mixer & Capital Conversations
  • Capital Conversations – Scheduled 15 minute conversations with funders (Banks, Investors, Grantors)

Register Now:

For more information or to register for your spot now, RSVP below or reach out to Innovation Portal Program Staff at programs@innovation-portal.com.

MoneyFest 2026 is made possible through our sponsors and partners:

About Innovation Portal:

Innovation Portal is a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub dedicated to accelerating the growth of startup businesses across southwest Alabama and the central Gulf Coast. Offering more than just workspace, Innovation Portal is a community where entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives come together to launch and grow their ventures.