Funding & Scale
Presented by U.S. Bank: Is it time to play defense or go on the offensive?
With interest rates shifting and the FIFA World Cup 2026 just months away, Seattle’s small and medium businesses are at a crossroads. Some are tightening their belts, while others are leveraging new capital to prepare for the 750,000 visitors arriving this summer.
Join us for an evening of high-impact networking and a candid panel discussion on the state of funding in 2026. We’re bringing together the region’s top voices from U.S. Bank, the Seattle Office of Economic Development, the Seattle Metro Chamber, and the Venture Capital community to give you the tactical answers you need to scale effectively.
What You’ll Learn:
The Rate Reality: How recent interest rate cuts change your 2026 borrowing strategy.
World Cup Readiness: Immediate capital and technical tools (from international payments to staffing loans) to capture your share of the projected $929M economic impact.
Alternative Funding: How to access the City’s Community Wealth Building resources and U.S. Bank’s Diversity Lending programs.
The Big Debate: Is 2026 the year to "Hunker Down" or "Scale Up"?
The Panel
U.S. Bank: Oscar Gonzales on modernizing for international commerce.
Vaughn Taylor: VP of Economic Development, Seattle Metro Chamber
Marcus Knight: A leading Seattle voice on GTM efficiency and revenue growth.
Hosted by: Mark Monroe: Managing Partner of From the Culture
Schedule
3:00 PM: Doors Open & Networking (Hosted Refreshments)
4:15 PM: Panel Discussion: The 2026 Playbook
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Power Networking & Closing