Funding 101: Navigating Angel, SBIR, Debt and Crowdfunding Options

Join The Capital Network, UMass Lowell iHub & M2D2 for an evening with investors and entrepreneurs to discuss funding options and grant opportunities for Lowell startups, get the feedback and advice you need, and to win a one-week membership to access iHub space and resources for free!

Agenda:

5:45 - 6:00 PM: Registration, Food & Drinks

6:00 - 6:50 PM: Panel on Funding Options with Investors & funding experts (See panelists below)

Hear from a veteran panel of experts from the Angel, SBIR and Banking worlds who will compare and contrast the many ways you can fund your startup. The discussion will address common questions including:
- What are the best funding options for growing my business?
- At what stage should I go after external funding?
- How much money should I ask for?
- What metrics do I need to show to ask for funding?
- Does ‘NO’ mean ‘maybe later?’

6:50 - 7:40 PM: One-minute Open Mic Pitches

Pitch your startup in front of the panel of funding experts and your fellow entrepreneurs, ask questions that are keeping you up at night and get real-time constructive feedback! It’s a great opportunity to polish your pitching skills while networking and making valuable connections.
The first five entrepreneurs who pitch will each get a one-week membership to iHub coworking space & resources for free!

7:40 - 8:00 PM: Recap & Networking

If live our work in Lowell, check out the Lowell Entrepreneurship Assistance Program (LEAP), which gives founders from Lowell the opportunity to apply for a 6-month membership to The Capital Network to benefit from our programs, education and network.

The Angel: Raza Shaikh
Angel Investor at Launchpad Venture Group & Sky Ventures & Walnut Ventures

Raza Shaikh is a tech entrepreneur and active angel investor in the Boston area. He invests as an individual angel and also as a member of Launchpad Venture Group, Sky Ventures, and Walnut Ventures. Raza’s expertise includes the range from software, robotics, life science, mobility and ML/AI.

The SBIR Expert: Laura Hales
Founder of Extend Biosciences

Laura is an experienced entrepreneur and co-founder of Extend Biosciences & The Isis Group. Founded in 2010, Extend Biosciences was a finalist in the MassChallenge global startup competition and a semi-finalist in the WPI Venture Forum business plan competition. Since then, it has raised >$10M in non-dilutive funding, primarily from state and federal granting programs, including SBIR Phase I and II grants from NIH, NSF and the DoD. Laura is also a scientific and business consultant to start-up biotech companies and life science entrepreneurs (Harvard iLab, MassChallenge) and a freelance science writer and SBIR grant writer in the biomedical sciences.

The Crowdfunding Expert: Michael Ciuchta
Assistant Professor at UMass Lowell

Mike is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Manning School of Business, UMass Lowell. His research adopts a behavioral approach to studying institutions and entrepreneurship. His particular focus is on organizational learning and identity and entrepreneurial finance. In his research on the rising tide of crowdfunding, Mike looks at why some campaigns are more successful than others and how factors like messaging, gender and even physical attractiveness influence people’s decision to contribute.

The Banker: Pete McDonald
SVP - Startup Services at Pacific Western Bank

Pete is the SVP of Startup Services at Pacific Western Bank. Prior to joining PacWest, Pete was the Relationship Manager of the Emerging Technology Practice at Silicon Valley Bank. He has over 20 years of experience working with startups and works primarily with early-stage Technology and Life Science companies.
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