WE Gather with FUNDING + Profit First + Funder Meet + Greet - Business Accelerator

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, understanding how and when to fund your business—and how to manage that capital effectively—is essential for sustainable success. This WE Gather event brings together funders, financial educators, and experienced business advisors for a one-day accelerator designed to help you: - Explore real-world funding options - Understand Profit First + cash flow strategies - Learn what lenders and grantors are really looking for - Map out your next financial steps with expert-led tools You’ll hear directly from Colorado funders, participate in targeted breakout sessions, and walk away with templates, contacts, and a stronger financial foundation. Come ready to learn, ask questions, make connections—and take confident next steps toward funding your vision. Plus, sign up to receive no cost confidential advising session post event. Morning Business Accelerator | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM WE Gather with FUNDING + Profit First: A 2025 Business Accelerator Series Agenda: 9:00 am - The Funding Wheel: Knowledge, Tools, Resources + Real Talk on Financing Your Future led by Jamie Billesbach, Executive Director, Central Mountain SBDC. - Types of Funding overview (Federal - State - Grants - Self etc.) - Combining Funding Options - Artifacts that You Will Need (SBDC can help) - Resources + Tools (How SBDC Can Help) + SBA Programs 9:40 am - “Self-Funding Strategies: Driving Profit, Revenue & Cash Flow from Within” Led by William Marquis, Marquis CFO Advisory Services. Gain an inside-out view of how businesses can strategically fund themselves through stronger profit, revenue, and cash flow management. William will walk participants through key internal drivers that influence financial success, when and how to reinvest in your business, and how understanding your numbers helps you avoid funding pitfalls and grow with confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs seeking to maximize internal capital before—or alongside—external options. 10:00 am Funding at Play and Real Life Examples of How WE Fund Projects led by High Country Bank. Led by Ron Fore, VP, Commercial Loans 10:15 am - BREAK 10:30 am - CHFA - Business + Personal Programs led by Kaylee A. Romero, CHFA, Community Relationship Manager, South Central Colorado. 10:45 am - OurStory Funding Panel (Interviews) Led by Sam Block and Rachael Crawford, Prairie Rose Development KIVA. 11:15 am Breakout Sessions From Numbers to Action: Cash Flow and Management Tools for Real-World Decisions. Led by William Marquis, Marquis CFO Advisory Services Craft Your Marketing Strategy - Led by Sam Block, Sam Block Coaching The Intentional Lean Canvas Bot and Funding Bot - Led by Jamie Billesbach, Central Mountain SBDC. Bring your laptop and join in on prompts, best practices and how to use this as a great “tool” for all stages of your business lifecycle. 11:55 am - Closing Comments + Meet the Funders + Ask Your Questions! 12:00 pm to 1:00pm - Meet with funders, other local business support service providers, including High Country Bank, Office of Economic Development & International Trade, Small Business Administration, Colorado Small Business Development Center, CHFA, KIVA Prairie Rose Development and First Southwest Bank. Get matched and sign up for an initial session with an SBDC Advisor!

Speaker(s): Jamie Billesbach – Executive Director, Central Mountain SBDC Ron Fore, VP, Commercial Loans, High Country Bank Kaylee A. Romero – Community Relationship Manager, CHFA Billy Marquis, Marquis CFO Advisory Services Sam Block – Business & Marketing Coach, Sam Block Coaching Lois Todd – Founder, Alchemy Strategy Group Representative – SBA Representative, Wendy Stewart– OEDIT Rachel Crawford – KIVA / Prairie Rose Development Exhibitors Include: Colorado SBDC Network, OEDIT, High County Bank, Colorado Housing + Finance Authority, Western State, Heart of the Rockies Chamber, and First Southwest Bank.

Co-Sponsor(s): The 2025 WE Gather Accelerator Series is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners: Platinum Sponsors: High Country Bank and CHFA Gold Sponsor: The Minority Business Office of Colorado Office of Economic Development + International Trade (OEDIT) Bronze Sponsor: Western Colorado University Grant Funding: Freeport-McMoRan Grant and our primary grant supporters, including SBA, Chaffee County, Lake County, and Park County Collaborators: Chaffee County Public Health Nonprofit Support: Chaffee County Community Foundation Without this invaluable support, we wouldn’t be able to offer this Business Accelerator Series. Thank you for helping us empower entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders across rural Colorado!

The Colorado SBDC Network is working towards ensuring all of our web content is accessible to all users, including those with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities. Please email sbdc@state.co.us or call 303-860-5881 or Schedule a phone call ONLY if you need to request reasonable accommodations to access the services we provide. Examples of accommodations include: Sign language interpretation for an event, meeting, or appointment; An assistive listening device for an in-person meeting or event; Alternative document formats (such as Braille or large print)

Fee: $ 29.00