Recapping Our October 18th, 2023 Small Business Financing Panel and Networking Event

On October 18th, 2023, the Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) New York District Office, hosted a Small Business Financing and Networking Session at Pace University’s new state-of-the-art downtown facility located at 15 Beekman Street.

The event saw an impressive turnout, with well over 100 small business owners in attendance. They had the unique opportunity to engage with eleven financial institutions and community lenders from across New York City. This platform allowed businesses to assess which lenders aligned best with their financing needs.

The day commenced with a productive networking session, setting an engaging tone for the discussions ahead. Opening remarks were delivered Andrew Flamm, Regional Director of the Pace University Small Business Development Center, who reviewed the invaluable no-cost services provided by the Pace SBDC as well as key financial terms to consider when engaging with small business lenders. Andrew then introduced Beth Goldberg, SBA’s Director of Field Ecosystems. Office of Field Operations, who moderated two insightful panel discussions. The first panel featured representatives from financial institutions, and the second was of community-based lenders, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of lending criteria and essential considerations at each institution.

The event concluded with an extended period of networking, allowing entrepreneurs to engage in further one-on-one discussions with the lenders of their choice. We extend our thanks to all who contributed to the event's success, especially our participating lenders: Flushing Bank, Valley National Bank, Spring Bank, Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union, Brooklyn Coop Federal Credit Union, Lendistry, TruFund Financial Services, Pursuit, Accompany Capital, Ascendus, and Hebrew Free Loan Society. Their partnership and support exemplify a shared commitment to the prosperity of New York City's small businesses.

A special thanks to the SBA's NY District Office for co-hosting the event, and to Lendistry, TruFund Financial Services and Flushing Bank for their generous sponsorship. We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, trainings, and workshops from the Pace University Small Business Development Center.