Funding Strategies & Sourcing Workshop with Nina Archie Presented by Black Tech Saturdays

​Session Overview

​Unlocking Funding: How to Source Pitch Competitions, Grants, Solicitations, and Accelerators
Ready to find the right funding to grow your startup? This tactical session is designed for early- to mid-stage founders looking to cut through the noise and confidently pursue capital. We’ll break down key funding types—pitch competitions, government grants, solicitations, and accelerators—and show you exactly where to find them. You’ll learn what makes a strong application, how to avoid common missteps, and how to build a toolkit that makes you funder-ready. Walk away with a clear strategy and a list of actionable resources to help your journey!

​Meet Your Speaker

​Nina Archie is an Innovation Advisor, Angel Investor, VC Scout, and Founder of Innovator Connector, a consultancy that helps startups and small businesses source and secure funding and scale through dual-use technology commercialization.With a career that bridges government and entrepreneurship, Nina has served as a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, an Innovation Program Manager supporting federal transformation, and a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Reviewer at the National Science Foundation. She holds certifications in Technology Transfer and works across early-stage venture and startup ecosystems—supporting diverse founders and creating pathways for equitable capital access. Ms. Archie serves as an Advisory Board Member for the AAAS HBCU Makers Innovation Showcase and SXSW, and is also a Techstars Mentor. She is honored to have received the Techstars Give First Award.