In the breakout session “Unlocking Access to Capital for Your Business,” panelists explored how businesses can benefit from a diverse range of capital and advisory solutions— Jorge Puig from Flatbay Capital on private-credit bridge lending, Raj Patel from Bank of America on traditional lending, Ronnie Smith from Truist on SBA lending and Steve Kesten from BoyarMiller on legal structuring and Jim Pratt from Colliers on sale-leaseback strategies. Each solution plays a unique role and often works in tandem to support business growth, stability, and long-term bankability.

In a real-world example underscoring this collaboration, a Houston-based midstream mechanical contractor secured financing from 3 of the panelists, traditional financing from Bank of America, bridge lending from Flatbay Capital and ultimately a sale-leaseback from Colliers—illustrating how multiple forms of capital can align to help a company grow through transition.

Special thanks to the moderator Dustin Williamson from vcfo and The Entrepreneurship Institute/The Presidents' Forum for convening such an insightful forum for business leaders, lenders, and advisors!