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Panels & Discussions

Panels & Discussions

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

SFMade “Creative Capital for Manufacturers”

In some ways, capital for your business has never been trickier to come by; yet manufacturers have special opportunities – opportunities that service-based businesses and non-manufacturers do not have- to creatively leverage their assets to unlock capital, even as a start-up or early stage company. Come join SFMade’s Kate Sofis and a panel of experts in an exploration of the conventional and less conventional ways to fund the start-up and early stage growth of an artisanal manufacturer. Learn about how other successful manufacturers have used a combination of asset-based lending (including receivables, purchase order, inventory, equipment, and real estate); socially-responsible private equity; crowd-sourcing; and innovative retail partnerships. Featuring:

  • Jack Lieberman of Business Capital– An asset-based lending expert specializing in debt and growth capital financing for industrial companies, including financing on accounts receivable, inventory, machinery & equipment, rolling stock and real estate as well as equipment and vendor financing programs.
  • Jeff Gustafson – Co-Founder and former CFO of Vetrazzo, successful manufacturer of recycled glass countertops. Jeff successfully raised $7 million of equity through a network of high-net-worth, mission-based, individual investors, along with $2.5 million in state grant funding for new market development and $500k in economic development loans.
  • Sam Gordon of Oona, a Bay Area design/manufacturer of an innovative smartphone stand, who successfully launched with more than $130K raised on Kickstarter;
And a special guest from a major product retailer, to speak about their strategy to invest in promising early-stage artisanal manufacturers.
SFMade’s mission is to build and support a vibrant manufacturing sector in San Francisco, that sustains companies producing locally-made products, encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, and creates employment opportunities for a diverse local workforce.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011
Chuck Doyle/Panelist
TMA Northern California Panel Discussion
“Financing Opportunities for the Middle Market”

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010
Chuck Doyle/Panelist
TMA Northern California Panel Discussion
“When Conventional Lending is Not the Solution,Where Do You Go?”