Funding Growth: Small Business Path to Capital

Date & Time:
Wednesday, June 5, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Location:
Academic II, Onondaga Community College (OCC) Campus

Event Description:

Join us for Funding Growth: Small Business Path to Capital, a dynamic and informative event bringing together aspiring and established entrepreneurs with local lenders for an evening of connection, learning, and empowerment. This event is for both small business owners seeking capital and lenders looking to build relationships with potential borrowers in our community. Whether you’re launching or growing your business—or you’re a lender hoping to support local entrepreneurs—this event offers valuable insights into accessing funding and building a strong financial foundation for success.

For Small Business Owners:

• Learn what lenders look for when considering funding requests.
• Explore a variety of funding opportunities available in our region.
• Participate in a informal mock pitch session, where you’ll present your business idea and funding needs and receive direct feedback from real lenders.
• Build relationships with local lenders who are eager to support small business success.
• Leave with actionable advice and new connections to move your business forward.
• If you are registering as a business owner, please select the business owner ticket

For Lenders & Financial Institutions:

As a valued local lender, this is your chance to:

• Introduce your services to a room full of entrepreneurs actively seeking capital.
• Demystify the lending process by providing live feedback during our informal, interactive mock pitch session.
• Connect directly with small business owners at various stages of growth.
• Gain pre- and post-event exposure — including having your contact information shared with attendees and recognition in event promotions.
• Showcase your commitment to supporting the local small business ecosystem.
• If you are registering as a lender, please select the lender ticket

We have space for up to 15 lenders to participate in the pitch and networking segments.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking for funding or a lender looking to build relationships and support entrepreneurs, this event is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow — together.

Register now to secure your spot!

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About our speaker, Tamika Otis

Tamika is a dedicated Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer at KeyBank, overseeing the Capital Region and Central New York markets. In her role, she formulates and executes the bank’s community engagement strategy, with a primary focus on upholding Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory ratings and compliance. Tamika actively builds and maintains relationships with community-based organizations, charities, and non-profits, contributing to the bank’s local reputation. As a key member of the market leadership team, she advises senior management on emerging CRA performance issues, ensuring objectives are met and issues are addressed promptly.

Tamika’s impact extends to her involvement in the Black Women Give Foundation, a charitable organization she co-founded. This foundation utilizes the collective giving model to fund impactful grants for grassroots non-profits serving communities of color in Philadelphia, PA. Tamika also serves on the Board of Directors for the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance and WISE Women’s Business Center in Syracuse.

A sought-after keynote speaker, she shares her expertise in Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, Social Justice, and Building Inclusive Workforces and Ecosystems. A proud mother of two sons and a “Dog Mom” to a Goldendoodle, Tamika also enjoys traveling, cooking, writing, and music.

This event is sponsored by KeyBank!

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After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite confirming your spot. If you do not see this email, please check your email’s junk folder, or the social and promotion tabs of your inbox (if applicable).

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.