Finding Money to Start & Grow Your Business (Oakland)

Led by SCORE Counselors and Business professionals: Kathy Donovan & Jo Baig

Workshop Fee ($40)

Overview:  Learn about the types and sources of funding available to help you start and grow your business, and what you need to know to maximize your chances to obtain that funding.

You will learn and discuss:

• Types and sources of funding

   - Traditional:  banks and SBA loans                                                                                                 - Non-traditional:  angel investors, venture capital, crowdfunding, KIVA/Zip, Y-Combinator, incubator

• What lenders and investors consider in making decisions 

   - Credit history

• What you should do to maximize your chances to obtain funding

- Have a thoughtful, well-researched and realistic business plan
   - Know your SWOT:  strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Instructors:.

 Kathy Donovan - Kathy has 35 years of banking experience, with a concentration  in lending to small businesses, large corporate customers and consumers.  In  recent years, Kathy has focused her efforts at SCORE and, before that, at  Women’s Initiative for Self Employment,  on helping entrepreneurs and small  business owners.

 Kathy holds a BA from Georgetown University and an MBA from New York  University.  She is a world traveler, speaks some Spanish and is fluent in Portuguese.  Education is her passion!

 Jo Baig - Jo has 32 years in banking, including service as a branch manager of  Bank of the West.  Her experience includes extensive work with small and medium  sized businesses.