In today’s challenging funding environment, securing the right resources is critical for early-stage startups and small businesses. This session will explore diverse funding opportunities, including grants, loans, venture capital, angel investors, bootstrapping, and crowdfunding. Discover how to assess the best fit for your business, craft compelling pitches or campaigns, and maximize your chances of success. Whether you’re seeking non-dilutive funding, strategic partnerships, or creative alternatives like crowdfunding, this event will provide actionable advice to help you navigate today’s competitive landscape and build a sustainable financial foundation for your business.

Building a business? Ever wish you could speak to and learn directly from subject matter experts (while never leaving your couch)? Join host Andy Lee from the University of Minnesota's Technology Commercialization office each Wednesday for this exciting and casual AMA ('ask me anything') style series on business building fundamentals. Check out all of the talks here: https://www.crowdcast.io/@techcomm

This event series is brought to you with support from Launch Minnesota, a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation.

Jackie Mejia is the Venture Center Investment Program Manager at the University of Minnesota, leading the Discovery Capital investment program and overseeing the pipeline of investment opportunities, company preparation, due diligence, and investment decisions. She also manages investor relations and works with the DiscoveryMN Angels Program, connecting UMN startups with investors. Collaborating with the Tech Comm team, the Office of Investment and Banking, and external advisory groups, Jackie plays a key role in driving innovation and supporting the growth of UMN research-based startups.

An accomplished investment professional with over eight years of experience in venture capital, life sciences commercialization, and startup development, Jackie brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and entrepreneurial leadership. Her career includes leadership roles at gener8tor, where she built investor relationships, facilitated thousands of startup connections, and led investment accelerators in life sciences, healthcare, insurance, and wealth management. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in Chemistry from Temple University, she combines technical acumen with hands-on operational expertise to position startups for sustained impact and growth.

As the founder, President, and CEO of MNSBIR, Inc., Pat Dillon is on an entrepreneurial mission to empower startups and small businesses in commercializing high-tech solutions by leveraging federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. She is dedicated to guiding innovators through the complexities of federal funding to bring their ideas to life. Pat holds a B.S. and MBA from Winona State University and has furthered her expertise at the U.S. Naval War College.

Sara Russick is a seasoned entrepreneur, angel investor, and venture capital leader dedicated to supporting early-stage innovation. As Co-Founder and Managing Director of DiscoveryMN Angels and Gopher Angels, she has helped invest over $24 million in 75 companies, strengthening the Midwest startup ecosystem. She leads DiscoveryMN Angels - Minnesota’s newest angel network, investing in cutting-edge startups founded by UMN faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Through Gopher Angels, she has built a network of over 80 accredited investors, syndicating deals with regional angel groups and venture firms to fund high-potential startups.

As the Founding General Partner of Capita3, Sara leads a venture fund investing in healthcare technology companies founded and led by women. She is committed to addressing gender bias in startup funding by backing data-driven, tech-enabled businesses that improve healthcare accessibility. A five-time founder, she brings deep expertise in fundraising, leadership development, and company growth strategies, helping entrepreneurs scale their ventures successfully.

Funding Your Vision: Opportunities in a Tight Market