The SEC's 2020 Small Business Forum engaged a diverse group of speakers with experience ranging from the earliest stages of seed funding to the reporting obligations of smaller public companies. Below are video segments from our speakers at the 2020 Forum held virtually on June 18, 2020.

Spotlight: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Erica Duignan Minnihan (Founder and Managing Partner, Reign Ventures) and Samara Mejia Hernandez (Founding Partner, Chingona Ventures) provided insights about empowering and supporting women-founded companies.

Keynote: Investing in the Underestimated

Arlan Hamilton (Founder and Managing Partner, Backstage Capital) spoke about her perspective investing in underestimated founders, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ founders.

Spotlight: Rural and Thriving

Wil Jenkins (Investor and Entrepreneur, Uptown Salon and Boutique), Christy Laxton (Executive Director, Wyoming County Economic Development Authority) and Nathan Ohle (CEO, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc.) discussed overcoming the unique challenges of building companies in rural communities.

Keynote: Small Business, Macro Perspectives

Jovita Carranza (Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration) spoke about her perspective leading the federal agency focused on small businesses.

Spotlight: Stories from Founders of Color

Davyeon Ross (Co-Founder and President, ShotTracker) and Sevetri Wilson (Founder and CEO, Resilia) discussed capital raising for minority-owned companies, including tools for entrepreneurs to build their network, including local events, angel groups, accelerator programs, and connecting with other founders.

Keynote: The Founder’s Journey

Pete Flint (Managing Partner, NFX) spoke about his perspective founding lastminute.com and Trulia and guiding them through challenging times, as well as how he now guides founders as a venture capital investor.

Spotlight: Building Tomorrow’s Public Companies

Stephen Graham (Partner, Fenwick & West LLP) and Brian Levey (Chief Business Affairs and Legal Officer, Upwork Inc.) discussed the pathway to an IPO and the future of public offerings.

Keynote: Scaling your Idea

Susan Tynan (Founder and CEO, Framebridge) spoke about her perspective building her company and raising multiple rounds of venture capital, including the impact of capital on the ultimate success of businesses operating at scale.

Spotlight: Small Cap Today

AJ Krick (CFO, Secretary and Treasurer, Smith-Midland Corporation), Mary Ann Scully (Chairman and CEO, Howard Bank), and David Wagner (President and CEO, Zix Corporation) discussed the challenges and strengths of smaller public companies in today’s market climate.