Entrepreneurship Center Convening Highlights Funding Opportunities for Birmingham Businesses
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — October 15, 2026 — The Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence (EC) continued its mission of connecting Birmingham entrepreneurs with valuable resources, practical knowledge and meaningful relationships during its October convening, held at BBT Connects in North Birmingham.
The gathering brought together local business owners, entrepreneurs and community partners for a discussion focused on access to capital, business growth and the importance of building relationships that support long-term success.
Show Me the Money: Finding the Right Funding for Your Business
The featured presenter, Douglas Watson, Founder and Managing Partner of Measured Capital, delivered an informative presentation titled “Show Me the Money: How Angel Investors, Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding Can Grow Your Business.”
Watson explored several approaches to financing a business, including bootstrapping, crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital, traditional borrowing and grants. Using real-world examples from companies such as Mailchimp, Amazon, Figma and Tesla, he demonstrated how different funding strategies can support businesses at various stages of development.
One of the presentation’s central messages was that securing capital is not simply about finding someone willing to invest. It’s about understanding which funding source makes the most sense for your business, what investors expect in return and how to prepare your company for growth.
Watson also encouraged entrepreneurs to recognize the value of their existing customers and supporters, explaining how a business’s own community can sometimes become its first source of investment.
BBT Connects Showcases Innovation in North Birmingham
This month’s convening was hosted at BBT Connects (BlackBelt Technologies), located at 3001 27th Street North in Birmingham’s Northside community.
Founded by Wayne A. Green, BlackBelt Technologies is an information technology and infrastructure company with a growing commitment to community development and expanding access to technology.
Attendees received a guided tour led by Toni Green, Wayne’s daughter who is the CEO at BBT Connects, showcasing the facility’s coworking spaces, internet café, technology academy, meeting rooms and community garden.
Through initiatives such as Connects Collab, BBT Connects is helping bridge the digital divide while providing opportunities for entrepreneurs, residents and aspiring technology professionals to access training, resources and collaborative workspaces.
The visit highlighted the investments being made in North Birmingham and demonstrated how local businesses can contribute to economic development while creating opportunities for the surrounding community.
The Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence is also located in the BBT Connects Building.
More Than a Meeting: The Value of Real Business Conversations
While featured presentations provide valuable information, one of the greatest benefits of the EC’s meetings and convening activities is something that cannot always be found in a classroom, online tutorial or business textbook: direct interaction with local business owners who are navigating the same challenges every day.
These gatherings create opportunities for entrepreneurs to share firsthand experiences, discuss real-life business situations and exchange ideas about overcoming common obstacles.
Conversations can range from accessing funding and finding qualified employees to workforce training, marketing, customer service, managing growth and strengthening leadership.
For a business owner struggling with a particular challenge, simply hearing how another entrepreneur handled a similar situation can provide valuable insight, a new perspective or even a practical solution.
Just as important, these conversations can lead to new relationships, partnerships, referrals and opportunities that extend well beyond the meeting itself.
Sometimes the most valuable resource in the room isn’t the presentation on the screen. It’s the business owner sitting next to you who has already worked through the problem you’re facing.
That exchange of knowledge and experience is what makes participation in the EC’s convenings worthwhile for both new entrepreneurs and established business owners.
Growing the EC’s Reach and Impact
Under the leadership of Interim Executive Director Dr. Alice Gordon-Holloway, the Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence continues to expand its reach, strengthen community partnerships and connect more Birmingham businesses with the resources they need to succeed.
Through its ongoing convenings, educational programming and collaborative relationships, the EC is creating an environment where entrepreneurs can learn from experts, connect with resource providers and, perhaps most importantly, learn from one another.
The organization’s mission to Accelerate, Activate and Amplify Birmingham businesses reflects a commitment to helping entrepreneurs move beyond simply starting a business toward building sustainable companies that create jobs, generate economic activity and strengthen neighborhoods.
That work is particularly important in Birmingham’s historically underserved communities, where greater access to information, professional networks and business development resources can help create new opportunities for local economic growth.
Birmingham Business Owners: Get Connected and Get Involved
For business owners throughout Birmingham, particularly those in North Birmingham, Northside, Pratt and Smithfield, the EC’s continued growth presents an opportunity worth exploring.
Whether you’re launching a new business, looking for capital, struggling with staffing, seeking marketing assistance or preparing to expand, participating in these gatherings can connect you with people who understand the challenges and may have ideas or resources to help.
You don’t have to have every answer before walking into the room. In fact, bringing your questions, sharing your experiences and being willing to engage with other business owners is part of what makes these meetings valuable.
Get connected. Participate in the conversations. Build relationships. Share your experiences. And take advantage of the knowledge and resources available through the Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence.
To learn more about upcoming convenings, programs and business development opportunities, visit www.ecbham.com.
