No cost to attend; Registration required
Event Description:
A panel conversation focused on helping startups better understand and navigate today’s funding landscape, spanning venture capital, angel investment, grants, and a range of alternative financing options. The discussion will offer practical perspectives and real-world insights to help founders think strategically about capital and identify the right resources to support their next stage of growth.
Reserve your seat and gain the clarity you need to confidently plan your path to funding.
MODERATOR:
Danielle O’Neal
Senior VP of Venture Banking group | Banc of California
Danielle O’Neal is Senior Vice President at Banc of California where she focuses on providing venture debt to life sciences companies and a Network Advisor for Correlation Ventures. Previously, she was Director of Life Sciences at First Republic and spent four years at Capital Advisors Group focusing on cash management and debt advisory for life sciences companies. Danielle was also one of the founders of Life Science Nation, a company that helps life science startups raise equity funding.
PANELISTS:
Anna Welland
Founder / Principal | Welland & Co
Since 2005, Anna Welland has helped Boston and NYC academic medical centers, biotech, climate tech organizations, and startups secure and manage non-dilutive grant funding to advance research, accelerate innovation, and drive impact for patients and the planet. She has built grants and compliance programs and managed complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, ensuring deliverables were met on time and within budget, opening doors to additional funding. To date, Anna has submitted nearly one thousand grants, secured hundreds of millions in funding, and has overseen awarded projects totaling more than $200MM. She also serves as a Fractional HR consultant, a board member on a venture studio, an advisor to founders, and a connector for many.
Randall Lucas
Managing Director | SaaS Capital
Randall Lucas is a seasoned fintech and venture capital professional specializing in lending to growing B2B SaaS companies across North America and the UK. As Managing Director at SaaS Capital, Randall leads efforts to provide flexible growth capital ranging from $2 million to $15 million, helping software businesses scale while maintaining ownership control. With a background spanning venture capital, private equity, and startup leadership, Randall has co-founded companies, advised CEOs and boards, and managed over $400 million in assets. His expertise covers investment diligence, deal structuring, financial modeling, and navigating complex capital structures.
Pedro Arce
Senior VP& Head of Innovation and Social Venture Banking | M&T Bank
Pedro Acre is a seasoned banking and innovation leader with deep experience at the intersection of venture, social impact, and commercial finance. At M&T Bank, he leads Innovation and Social Venture Banking, working closely with startups, mission-driven organizations, and growth-stage companies to access capital and scale sustainably. Pedro also served as an Adjunct Professor of Strategy and International Business in the MBA program at Suffolk University, bringing real-world venture and banking insights into the classroom.
Tom Medrek
Angel Investor and Member | Launchpad Venture Group
Tom Medrek is a seasoned entrepreneur, angel investor, and startup advisor with more than three decades of experience driving technology innovation and business growth. He is an active investor and member at Launchpad Venture Group, where he works closely with early-stage companies on commercialization, go-to-market strategy, and scaling. Tom has held senior leadership roles across the technology sector, including executive positions at Mindspeed Technologies, 3Com, and Maker Communications, where he helped lead revenue growth, acquisitions, and successful exits. He currently serves as a board member, investor, and advisor to emerging ventures, supporting founders as they translate breakthrough ideas into market impact.
IF THIS EVENT IS CLOSED YOU MAY SIGN UP IN PERSON ON THE DAY OF EVENT