MoneyFest 2025

Thank you to our presenting sponsor:

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
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 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 dreams.

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
• 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 sponsor, Voyager Lending, this valuable event is completely FREE to attend!

Event Schedule (Subject to Change)

• 8:00 AM:  Registration and Welcome
  • Breakfast
• 8:45 AM:  Opening Keynote (Fireside Chat)
  • Jesse Draper, Halogen Ventures
  • Interviewer: Todd Greer
• 9:40 AM: Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend) 
  • Investment Track – Brock Cline, Insperity
  • Lending Track – Jill Godard, Truist Bank
  • Social Impact/Nonprofit Track – Mary Wallace Hannon, Regions Foundation
• 10:20 AM  Networking
  • Capital Conversations – Scheduled 15 minute conversations with funders (Banks, Investors, Grantors)
• 10:40 AM: What type of money does your business need? (Panel)
  • Moderator: Dr. Gia Wiggins – Auditocity, Founder & CEO
  • Panelist: Jesse Draper – Halogen Ventures, Founding Partner
  • Panelist: Emily Wykle – gener8tor, Regional Vice President
  • Panelist: Charlie Pond – Innovate Alabama, Executive Director – SSBCI
  • Panelist: Frederic Clark – Voyager Lending, VP – SBA Business Development Officer
• 11:50 AM: Lunch
  • Capital Conversations – Scheduled 15 minute conversations with funders (Banks, Investors, Grantors)
• 12:35 PM: Get Funded in the South (Panel)
  • Moderator: JD Jernigan – gener8tor, gBETA Gulf Coast Manager
  • Panelist: John Brown – StenCo, Founder
  • Panelist: Caleb Mills – EDPA (Alabama Launchpad), Innovation and Entrepreneurship Coordinator
  • Panelist: Megyn Rodriguez – SBA (Alabama), Outreach and Marketing Specialist
  • Panelist: Kwam Aidoo – Corridor Ventures, Managing Partner 
• 1:40 PM:  Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend)
  • Investment Track – JD Jernigan, gener8tor
  • Lending Track – Danette Richards, Mobile Chamber
  • Social Impact/Nonprofit Track – Nathan Stuck, Profitable Purpose Consulting
• 2:20 PM:  Breakout Sessions (Choose one to attend)
  • Investment Track – Kwam Aidoo, Corridor Ventures
  • Lending Track – Robert McAlister, Foundry Financial
  • Social Impact/Nonprofit Track – Matt Armbruster, Ransom Solutions
• 3:00 PM   3:45 PM:  Closing Keynote
  • TBA
• 4:00 PM   4:30 PM:  Closing Remarks
  • Todd Greer, Innovation Portal 
• 4:30 PM   5:30 PM:  Networking Mixer
  • 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 2025 is made possible through our sponsors and partners:

***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.

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.