Capital Kickoff: Funding Pathways for FIFA Ready Businesses

The FIFA World Cup will bring increased demand, visibility, and contracting opportunities to North Texas businesses. However, many businesses are not capital-ready—and are often declined funding due to misalignment between their business stage, operations, and financial strategy.

Capital Kickoff: Funding Pathways for FIFA-Ready Businesses is a 90-minute, in-person session that brings together lenders, capital providers, and ecosystem partners to help entrepreneurs understand how to prepare for funding opportunities tied to FIFA—and beyond.

This session combines real-world insights, interactive tools, and small-group discussions to help businesses assess where they are today and what steps matter most next.

This event is designed for:

• Small business owners and entrepreneurs (early-stage through growth-stage)
• Businesses interested in FIFA-related opportunities (vendors, services, procurement)
• Entrepreneurs preparing to apply for loans, grants, or contracts
• Business support organizations and ecosystem partners
• Community lenders, banks, and CDFIs

Attendees will gain insight into:

• What types of capital are realistic before FIFA
• Common reasons businesses are not approved for funding
• What funders are truly assessing beyond the business idea
• How to align capital, capacity, and contracts
• How to position your business for post-FIFA growth, not just short-term wins

Opening Context
Setting the stage for opportunity, urgency, and what’s coming next for DFW businesses.

Fireside Chat
Hear directly from:

• Local Lenders & CDFI Representatives
• FIFA Dallas Representative

Interactive Capital Readiness Assessment
Participants complete a digital assessment linking business stage to appropriate capital pathways.

Capital Pathways Breakouts (Small Groups)
Facilitated discussions led by bank and CDFI representatives based on business stage:

Call to Action & Networking
Learn about next-step support options and connect informally with lenders and peers.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Lewis & Associates LLC.