Watch the entrepreneurial funding process as it actually happens - not what you see on Shark Tank! The event will feature four startup firms honing their pitches to a panel of angel investors - the last step before they hit the big stage. The company deemed to have the best pitch will receive a 10 minute gratis pitch slot at an upcoming National Investment Banking Association (NIBA) event valued at $3500. Format: 8 minute presentations, followed by panel feedback. Entrepreneurial companies considering a fund raise down the road are encouraged to attend as observers.

Barry Kolevzon is Executive Director and screening committee member of National Business Investment Forums (previously known as New York Private Equity Forums), the largest fund-raising forum in the northeast. Further, he is Managing Partner of the advisory firm Nessa Group, which helps companies to attain profit improvement. Focal areas include funding strategies, sales & marketing, human capital, and operations.

Robert Kotch is an investor with Westchester Angels, and is on their selection committee. He is also President of SIM Associates, working with entrepreneurs and their investors to create building blocks for business development. SIM is a management advisory firm whose services include financial, strategic, and technology planning, business process innovation, and program management. It works with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 50.

Andrea Cataneo is a Partner at Sheppard Mullin, who focuses on structuring private equity transactions for microcap companies, as well as taking companies public. Additionally, she offers her clients targeted sources of capital, including funding available under recent equity crowdfunding legislation. She also advises publicly-held companies with reporting obligations to the Securities & Exchange Commission, exchange listings, and compliance matters.

Bruce Crawford, Founder of the Entrepreneur Forum, will serve as moderator. Prior to founding the Forum in 2008, he was Co-Head of Ratings Advisory at Salomon Smith Barney, where his primary responsibility was preparing corporations for bond rating presentations to agencies. Previously, he was a Director in Corporate Finance at Standard & Poor's, responsible for firms in the automotive, chemical, energy, and pharmaceutical industries.