At the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans — the premier annual gathering of thousands of women entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and small businesses — WBENC unveiled a groundbreaking new WBENC Expo activation: the Capital Connection Corner.
This first-of-its-kind in-person experience was designed to foster meaningful, informal conversations between entrepreneurs and capital providers. The goal? To help women-owned and small businesses explore capital solutions tailored to their unique needs and growth stages.
Capital Connection Corner Partners Included:
Sponsor: Fifth Third Bank
Altura Capital
Bridge
Business Consortium Fund
First Women’s Bank
Macy’s S.P.U.R. Pathways
The Capital Connection Corner featured a curated suite of capital products and solutions in a conversation-first, educational format. Entrepreneurs explored a range of funding options — from traditional banking services to equity and debt-based solutions — while building valuable relationships with capital providers.
“We loved the Capital Connection Corner. Having a dedicated space to meet with business owners and talk through financing options was transformative — both for us and the entrepreneurs we met. We heard stories of challenges and triumphs and saw firsthand how access to the right capital can be a game-changer.” — Bridge
To help entrepreneurs make the most of this opportunity, WBENC LIFT hosted the Entrepreneur Financial Readiness Virtual Series in April. The series provided insights into key CEO decisions for managing and growing a business through financial readiness and access to capital.
Additionally, WBENC LIFT in the Community, brought to you by Fifth Third Bank, has hosted financial readiness programs across Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, and Washington, DC. These in-market activations focused on financial literacy, capital readiness, and networking — equipping women-owned and small businesses with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to compete and grow. As a result of these programs, many business owners arrived prepared and ready to engage in meaningful conversations about how capital could support their priorities.
“When I started with WBENC, I was just starting my business. I now have over 12 government janitorial contracts grossing approximately $50,000 monthly. I am now looking to grow my business and WBENC has been an invaluable source of support and information.” — Tyra Sellers, Owner, Full Circle Professional Cleaning Services
The success of the Capital Connection Corner underscores the importance of creating accessible, intentional spaces for small businesses to connect with capital providers — wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey. With nearly 22,000 women-owned businesses in the WBENC Network, initiatives like this are vital to fueling economic development and fostering inclusive business growth.
WBENC LIFT Capital Connections Corner is part of the WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence. Learn more today!
