A free three-session course on business funding got underway Wednesday, Sept. 23, with two sessions remaining, at the Palo Alto Downtown Library.
The "Business Funding Readiness Series" meets on consecutive Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 270 Forest Ave., with the remaining sessions on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. The course is free, according to the city library's website.
Allie Lopez, a Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisor with more than 11 years of experience, leads the series. According to her SBDC profile, Lopez has helped businesses secure millions of dollars in loans, grants and private equity. She previously managed programs totaling over $17 million as a program director.
What the course covers
The first session focuses on understanding business finances and cash flow, including tracking revenue and expenses.
Session two shifts to funding preparation. Participants will learn what lenders look for when reviewing applications, how to prepare lender-ready financial documents and steps to improve credit and funding readiness, according to the Eventbrite listing for the series.
The final session covers building a growth plan and financial strategy, including creating financial projections and preparing for expansion or hiring.
Who it's for
The course targets small business owners who want to understand their numbers, get funding and grow safely, according to the library. Lopez's specialties include navigating SBA 504, SBA 7(a) and Community Advantage loan programs.
The course is free.
The Silicon Valley SBDC, hosted at San José State University, provides free and confidential advising to small businesses across Santa Clara County.
The Palo Alto City Library also offers cardholders free access to business databases and tools, including AtoZdatabases for market research, LinkedIn Learning, O'Reilly courses and publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. Any California resident can sign up for a Palo Alto library card.
