Founder Real Talk: Bootstrapping, Alternative Capital & Scaling Beyond VC

​✨ Founder Real Talk: Alternative Funding Sources & Growing Without VC

​📅 Date & Time:

​When: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PT
Location: TBD

​📣 You don’t need to raise venture capital to build a thriving startup.

​In this special edition of Founder Real Talk, we dive into alternative funding options—from bank lending, SBA loans, state & city programs, to bond financing and revenue-based models. Learn how founders can scale with smarter, sustainable capital strategies.

​But what other types of funding are there? Who should we take money from and when? How do you evaluate them? What should you expect—and avoid?

​Join us for a candid conversation with founders, lenders, and ecosystem experts on how to grow your company without raising venture capital. We’ll cover:

• ​Navigating SBA loans, bank financing, and non‑dilutive funding

• ​Tapping into state, city, and institutional programs that support small business growth

• ​Building relationships with banks, CDFIs, and government agencies

• ​Structuring your company for financial resilience without giving up equity

• ​Real‑world stories of founders who scaled with alternative funding and smart capital strategies

​This is not a typical panel event. It’s a no‑BS, founder‑to‑founder conversation about how real companies scale sustainably—with drinks, snacks, and good people. Come to learn. Stay to connect.

​👥 Panel & Format

​A lively, founder‑facing panel with rotating experts from finance, government, and lending institutions—expect candid conversation, concrete insights, and a networking‑rich atmosphere.

​Panelists:

• ​Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer: Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer—the first woman of color and first CPA elected to this office. Since taking office in January 2019, she has overseen state financial operations including $155 billion in assets under management, $20 billion in recent bond issuance, and initiatives supporting affordable housing, small business financing, and local infrastructure financing 

• ​Other Panelists (TBD)

  • ​Community Bank Executive — representing mid‑sized institutions offering startup lines of credit and term loans

  • ​SBA Lending Officer — specializing in 7(a) and CDC/504 loans and small business support

  • ​City Economic Development Official — highlighting local grant programs, loans, and public‑private partnerships

  • ​Nonprofit CDFI Representative — sharing how community financing supports early ventures

  • ​Founder who bootstrapped via loan or revenue-based financing

​💡 Topics We’ll Cover

• ​Navigating SBA loans, bank financing, revenue-based lending, and bond issuance

• ​Understanding state‑run bond programs, tax credits, and credit enhancements

• ​How to present strong capital plans to banks versus VC firms

• ​Operating and scaling without giving up equity: strategies that preserve ownership

• ​Public finance tools for infrastructure, housing, and clean‑tech that indirectly support startups

​💡 Who Should Attend

• ​Seed‑stage founders and co‑founders exploring non‑dilutive capital

• ​Startup operators and financial leads managing growth

• ​Founders refreshing their capital strategy—beyond just raising VC

• ​Investors, ecosystem builders, and service providers interested in alternative funding models

​🎟 Tickets

• ​$10 Early Bird (ends 2 weeks out)

• ​$15 General Admission

• ​$20 Last Call (3 days before)

​Snacks, drinks, and networking included.

​

​🧠 Presented by

​Sway x Wisdom Partners x Guerilla Ventures

​Sponsored by select partners in legal, finance, and operations.

​Our Sponsors