2025 CI Summit: Capital Readiness Inside + Out: Full Schedule

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9:20am CDT

Get Right: Empowering Entrepreneurs with Culturally Inspired Support

Friday April 11, 2025 9:20am - 10:45am CDT

Unlock the power of culturally responsive support in empowering entrepreneurs! This session dives into how ESOs can prepare founders for capital through a culturally informed lens, exploring the 5Rs of rematriation and forging strategic partnerships with capital entrepreneurs. Gain insights on bridging cultural gaps and creating sustainable pathways for growth, ensuring that all entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved communities, have the tools they need to thrive in the business world.

Speakers

Jaime Gloshay

Managing Director of Impact Investments, Common Future

Jaime, a fierce advocate for economic justice, is the Managing Director of Impact Investments at Common Future, driving catalytic capital into community-rooted organizations.She co-developed the Justice Funders' Just Transition in Investment Framework and serves on the governing bodies... Read More →

Friday April 11, 2025 9:20am - 10:45am CDT
Auditorium C

Ecosystem, Investor/Capital Source

Audience Ecosystem Partners, Entrepreneurs, Investors

9:20am CDT

Improving Capital Flows Empowering Community-Led ESOs to Drive Impact

Friday April 11, 2025 9:20am - 10:45am CDT

Auditorium A/B

Join us for a candid discussion on the challenges facing the ESO community as funding sources shift away from support for organizations, particularly those led by Black and Brown leaders. As some ESOs face tough decisions, this fireside chat will explore how we can collaborate to sustain, scale, and grow these vital organizations. We’ll discuss strategies to maintain quality programming, identify new funding models, and share actionable solutions to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem statewide.
This session will explore how BIPOC-led Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) are creating equitable investment pathways for overlooked communities. Discover strategies to address systemic capital barriers and foster supportive ecosystems, empowering BIPOC entrepreneurs to sustainably grow, innovate, and impact their communities.

Speakers

Rob Cimperman

Director, Launch MN

Rob brings a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation to his role as Launch Minnesota Director. In this role, he works to further build the innovation ecosystem in Minnesota by supporting the growth and acceleration of startups throughout the state.He also serves as an adjunct... Read More →

Deldelp Medina

I’m a Thinker, Leader, and Speaker. Not necessarily in that order. I have worked on creating systems for equity in the startup ecosystems for the last nine years.Yes, Deldelp is a unique name. I am the daughter of painter Delfina Bernal and writer/historian Alvaro Medina. My name... Read More →

Benjamin J. Vann

Founder & CEO, Impact Ventures

Benjamin J. Vann (Ben), is an award-winning social entrepreneur, impact investor, public speaker, and economic justice advocate. He is the Founder and CEO of Impact Ventures, a 501c3 startup accelerator and integrated capital fund with a mission to empower talented, yet underestimated... Read More →

Allie Burns

CEO, Village Capital

Inspired by the opportunity to reinvent the way we back new ideas and support entrepreneurs who are creating a more equitable and sustainable world, Allie joined Village Capital in 2016, and was named CEO in January of 2019. In her role at VilCap, she’s responsible for overseeing... Read More →

Friday April 11, 2025 9:20am - 10:45am CDT
Auditorium A/B

Ecosystem, Investor/Capital Source

Audience Ecosystem Partners

1:00pm CDT

Exploring Entrepreneurship through Acquisition

Friday April 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Auditorium A/B

As retiring baby boomers sell profitable businesses with $500K+ annual cashflows and no interested heirs, entrepreneurs can seize the opportunity to acquire and run these businesses. This wealth-building model, supported by social impact groups, offers underrepresented entrepreneurs a less risky path to ownership through cashflow-driven financing, along with demystified technical training and support. Hear from an entrepreneur who has navigated the acquisition process, sharing firsthand perspective on overcoming challenges and unlocking growth potential.

Speakers

Leah Goldsmith-Moses

Founder (retired), The Improve Group

Hi Entrepreneur: founded, built, and transitioned a successful consulting companyBusiness coach & facilitator: helping entrepreneurs and business leaders be at their best and build their businessesWriter: sharing stories of life and leadershipCreator: welcoming new adventures and... Read More →

Havell Rodrigues

CEO & Managing Partner, New Majority Capital

Havell Rodrigues is CEO and Managing Partner of New Majority Capital, where he leads deal structuring, financing and portfolio management.HavelI is a veteran of the asset management industry. He served as a Portfolio Manager for $50M in aum in internal hedge fund-of-funds at Venus... Read More →

Channon Lemon

Owner & Operator, Intent Energy

Channon has been driving innovation, spearheading organizational change, and leading economic development and new business development initiatives for over two decades. An accomplished business executive delivering profitable growth in challenging, competitive, and regulated environments... Read More →

Friday April 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Auditorium A/B

Ecosystem, Ecosystem

2:45pm CDT

Partnering for Growth: Collaboration and Innovation in Co-Manufacturing and Co-Packing

Friday April 11, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CDT

Frogtown

Unlock the potential of collaboration in co-manufacturing and co-packing to take your food business to the next level. This panel will explore how entrepreneurs can build successful partnerships with manufacturers and packagers to scale production, boost efficiency, and drive innovation. Panelists will also highlight funding opportunities and resources available to food entrepreneurs. Learn strategies for navigating the supply chain, ensuring quality control, and overcoming challenges to fuel growth and strengthen your operations.

Moderators

Bryant Williams

CEO, Hardcore Peanut Butter

Speakers

Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute

Y. Elaine Rasmussen is a B-Corp social entrepreneur mainstreaming impact investing and democratizing access to capital by and for Black and Brown womxn. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rasmussen has lived in St.Paul for the past 16 years. In 2015 Elaine founded Social Impact Strategies... Read More →

Jen Faigel

Executive Director, Commonwealth Kitchen

CommonWealth Kitchen is greater Boston's only non-profit food business incubator and contract manufacturing social enterprise. We promote small business, create jobs, and strengthen our regional food economy, with a focus on working with people who have been impacted by racial, social... Read More →

Brian McDonald

District Director, SBA

Friday April 11, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CDT
Frogtown

Ecosystem, Investor/Capital Source

Audience Entrepreneurs

4:10pm CDT

Innovations in Sustainability: The Impact of ConnectUP! Institute

Friday April 11, 2025 4:10pm - 4:45pm CDT

Auditorium A/B

Moderators

Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute

Speakers

MoonShine Stylist

Founder & CEO, MoonShine Stylist LLC

Makeisha Hall is a dynamic leader whose unique career blends over 20 years of strategic systems engagement with a lifelong passion for fashion.With extensive expertise in facilitation and relationship management, she has guided community change through her work with organizations... Read More →

Friday April 11, 2025 4:10pm - 4:45pm CDT
Auditorium A/B

Ecosystem, Investor/Capital Source

Audience Ecosystem Partners, Entrepreneurs, Investors

2025 CI Summit: Capital Readiness Inside + Out

From $203.77