July 2026 Small Business Financing Panel and Networking Event
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
On July 28, 2026, the Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), hosted a free in-person Small Business Financing Panel & Networking Event at One Pace Plaza in Lower Manhattan. The event brought together over 200 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with 16 financial institutions and community-based lenders.
The event opened with an introduction from Andrew Flamm, Regional Director of the Pace SBDC, followed by welcoming remarks from Dean Ajay Khorana of the Lubin School of Business, who reaffirmed Pace University's commitment to empowering entrepreneurs through education, partnership, and support. Attendees also heard from Orlando Ross, MPA representing the Office of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, as well as Elise Hillman, Public Affairs Specialist from the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, who spoke on the resources available to help small businesses prepare for and recover from disruption.
The program also featured a video message from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who recognized the vital role small businesses play across New York and underscored the importance of sustained public and private support for entrepreneurs.
The session then moved into two panel discussions moderated by Troy Diaz, Lead Lending Relations Specialist from the SBA's Metro New York District Office. Panelists shared insights from both traditional financial institutions and community-based lenders, offering attendees a broad perspective on the financing options available, what lenders look for, and how to prepare a strong application.
Following the panels, attendees connected one-on-one with participating lenders during the conccluding networking session, giving business owners the chance to discuss their goals and explore the right funding for their next stage of growth.
We encourage participants to reflect on the knowledge gained, reach out to the lenders they connected with, and take advantage of the Pace SBDC's resources for ongoing guidance and support. Sessions are available in-person in Manhattan and Brooklyn, or virtually for your convenience in English or Spanish. Get started today and meet with a Pace SBDC Business Advisor here.
The Pace SBDC is funded by Federal and New York State grant awards and through support by Pace University, enabling our center to provide no-cost resources and support to small businesses across the region. Thanks go out to the U.S. Small Business Administration for their partnership.
With over 250 registrants, the event reflected strong demand for accessible financing among local entrepreneurs. We also thank the 16 participating lenders for their valuable insights and support. Your participation reflects the collective effort needed to uplift and grow our small business community. We would like to thank our Platinum sponsor Metropolitan Commercial Bank; our Gold sponsors PNC, M&T Bank, and Lendistry; and our Silver sponsors TD Bank and Grow America.
About the Pace SBDC
The Pace University Small Business Development Center provides no-cost, confidential one-to-one business counseling to entrepreneurs and small business owners across Brooklyn and Downtown Manhattan. Our experienced advisors help clients strengthen their business plans, navigate financing, and connect with the funding opportunities and lenders best suited to their goals. Whether you are launching a new venture or growing an existing one, the Pace SBDC is here to help you take the next step. Request business counseling at pacesbdc.org/counseling-form.