Unlocking Capital
Galvanizing the Community to Provide Capital Support to Local Entrepreneurs
Leverage your Resources and Relationships to Drive Local Growth
Are you looking to make a meaningful impact in your community while building personal wealth? Have you ever wondered how you can support local entrepreneurs in your community, even if you don't consider yourself “an investor” or "wealthy"? Then, Unlocking Capital is the answer for you.
Unlocking Capital is a virtual financial education program that equips everyday people with the knowledge to unlock capital for Main Street businesses in their community. Through a mix of guided instruction and case studies, you will gain an introductory understanding of how to find, evaluate, and help fund businesses in your local community. Ultimately, Unlocking Capital empowers you to support the entrepreneurs you care about while fostering a more inclusive and resilient local economy.
By participating in Unlocking Capital, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of:
Who Can Be an Angel: We will shatter the myth that angel investing is only for the ultra-rich and explain how everyday people can get started as angels for as little as $100.
The Role of a Personal Investment Thesis: We outline how to define your investment thesis and goals, and how to use them to guide your investment decisions.
Deal Evaluation: Learn the critical steps for sourcing deals, rapidly screening opportunities, and identifying the criteria to consider when conducting due diligence (i.e., deal evaluation).
How Local Investing Drives Economic Growth: Discover the stabilizing force that emerging entrepreneurs play in keeping your community's economic engine running and fueling local job creation.
Business Funding Mechanics: Gain clarity on the activities that can drive an entrepreneur's demand for capital and the different ways to use debt and equity to meet those needs.
In addition, you’ll be able to expand your own professional network while connecting with a powerful community of entrepreneurs, professionals, and seasoned and new angel investors.
Have you heard enough? Complete our form to reserve your spot for an upcoming session!
About Capital Circles
Capital Circles is a place-based model designed to address the long-standing problem of unequal access to capital. The initiative brings urgent, focused attention to both the supply and demand sides of the capital access challenge by creating scalable, relationship-based funding pathways.
We are committed to building a "Circle of Support" around our local entrepreneurs that includes mentorship, strategic guidance, and crucially, access to check-writers. This opportunity is designed to create connections between local entrepreneurs and business professionals who are committed to supporting the local ecosystem. Our goal is for members of the community to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to support and invest in local businesses as they grow to the next level.
Unlocking Capital is a program of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Right to Revoke or Deny Registration: The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and its programs reserve the right to deny or revoke registration for any participant whose identity or provided information cannot be verified to the organization’s satisfaction. This policy is intended to ensure the integrity and security of our programs, events, and community.
Notice of Nondiscrimination: The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the application to any programs, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.