Join us on Tuesday, October 22 at 2 p.m. for a conversation focusing on debt and equity capital raises. Chicago Seed Co. Presents Raising Equity and Debt Capital. The event will take place at Taste 222, located at 222 N. Canal St, the headquarters of the Cleveland Avenue venture capital firm.

Leading a lineup of industry experts providing insights is Don Thompson, Founder and CEO of Cleveland Avenue. He will participate in a fireside chat with Jason Mercer, a principal at Cleveland Avenue and a Naturally Chicago Board member who chairs our Finance Committee.

Thompson brings his signature blend of savvy business acumen and warm personal touch to his role at Cleveland Avenue, which he founded in 2015 with Liz Thompson, his life partner and wife. Cleveland Avenue is a prominent Chicago-based investment firm specializing in lifestyle consumer brands and companies that positively disrupt large and growing markets.

The event is produced by Chicago Seed Co., a collaborative of investors in the Natural Products space that recently combined forces with Naturally Chicago. Here is the lineup for the two panels on topical issues relating to investment in the Natural Products industry.

Panel 1: Raising Equity Capital

Moderator: Jessica Murphy, VP, S2G Ventures

Bert Cohen, President, Vitality Capital

Emily Groden, CEO, Evergreen

Jason Mercer, Principal, Cleveland Avenue

Trish Thomas, CEO, Every Body Eat

Panel 2: Securing Debt and Alternative Financing

Moderator: Adam Chrusciel, Commercial Banker, Bank of America

Hudson Penn, Bridge Finance Group

Jim Rolfe, Managing Director, CIBC

Evan Waggoner, Director, SG Credit Partners

Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with brands and investors over drinks and appetizers. In addition, 13 brands that are actively seeking capital will have a table at the event.; this is by invitation only.