IvyTek Updates: Recap of OFN’s Small Business Finance Forum

Last month we spent some time in the Windy City for the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) Small Business Finance Forum, a gathering for mission-driven small business lenders. 

Held in Chicago June 12-14, 2024, this event was the forum’s biggest year yet. According to a recap post from OFN, more than 600 lenders and partners attended—and among them was our CEO Mike Griggs and Director of Client Services Sandy Griggs.

The Forum was packed with breakout sessions relating to CDFI small business lenders, networking events, an expo (in which we had our table), and even a historian-led tour of a local neighborhood that’s seeing a positive impact thanks to CDFI funding. 

Event Highlights

Here are just a few memorable moments from our time in Chicago at the OFN Small Business Finance Forum: 

Meeting Entrepreneurs: The opening reception was held at The Hatchery, a nonprofit food and beverage business incubator.

This venue gives caterers and other food and beverage companies access to a commercial kitchen, storage solutions, and a coworking space, as well as business and training resources to help their businesses grow. This was pretty awesome to see—and taste! We got to sample food from a variety of Hatchery members. 

Meeting CDFI Lenders & Other Vendors: It’s always wonderful to see what others in our space are doing. Additionally, there’s always a great vibe in the air when community development financial institutions gather together. There’s a sense of support and camaraderie, and it’s a good feeling to be part of that. 

Meeting Customers: For us, one of the best parts about attending and exhibiting at CDFI conferences is meeting up with current clients.  

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The Small Business Finance Forum is just one of several events hosted by Opportunity Finance Network each year. The 40th annual OFN Conference will be held October 21-24 in Los Angeles, and IvyTek will be there.