events
Good Internet Connection: A Recap of Broker Fair Virtual’s Debut
June 17, 2020
Last week’s Broker Fair Virtual was the first of its kind for the industry. The day-long event offered talks and networking, just like the in-person event, albeit without the catering service and open bar. Offering a digital space that included a virtual auditorium, networking lounge, expo hall, and individual company booths, the event attempted to recreate the experience of connecting and mingling with the rest of the industry, as much as was possible.
Kicking off with a Matrix-inspired introduction to the virtual space led by alternative finance’s version of Neo’s mentor, Mur-pheus (Murray as Morpheus), the show then went in numerous directions, with panels and talks covering a variety of topics and sectors.
Funding Metrics’ David Frascella took to the virtual stage to talk about how his company and the industry at large have been getting through the pandemic; what’s to come for America was up for discussion with Scott Rasmussen, the veteran pollster, who elaborated on how business could be effected by the upcoming presidential election; the future of combining people with data was debated by figures from Become, Elevate Funding, and Ocrolus; Canada’s lending situation and prospects were talked through in Covid and Canadian Credit;The new normal was discussed by NYC’s Fintech Women; and John Henry, an entrepreneur and star of VICELAND’s ‘Hustle,’ spoke of his experience running businesses and what made his story a success.
As well as this selection of talks, another standout was the cannabis panel. Led by a number of industry veterans, which broke down the difference in funding marijuana-based companies compared to other deals, and what could be down the road for the industry as more states consider legalization.
National Funding’s CRO, Justin Thompson, held an extended Q&A session, fielding queries about how National has been faring through these times and what its approaches are as the economy begins to open back up.
How long-term is long-term for the coronavirus’s impact? Are SBA deals the way to go? Does the industry need to go further with its adaption to this new normal? All these questions were asked and answered in The Great Debate, a panel made up of industry figures from various backgrounds.
And brokers’ futures were considered by Lendio’s Brock Blake, United Capital Source’s Jared Weitz, National Business Capital & Service’s James Webster, and The Watson Group’s Gerald Watson. Here, the idea of a recovery, how each struggled through March and April, and PPP were all debated by the panelists, with perspectives of what’s to come leaning both ways.
There’ll be an evolution of new industries and how we do business,” Gerald Watson noted in his closing words, “just look at this conference for example.”
There was no lobby to find brokers and funders hashing out deals in relative privacy away from the expo hall, instead this was replaced by private messages exchanged. Rather than line up for some chicken wings, people chowed down to whatever was in their home on that day. And instead of gathering around a bar and finishing the day after the final talk, attendees cracked something at their desk and chatted it up in the networking lounge, recalling previous events and what was once taken for granted: the ability to connect effortlessly.
The coronavirus continues to physically keep people apart, but for one day last week the industry was able to come together and network, make deals, and gain insight; albeit in a different way, internet connections providing.
Broker Fair 2020 Virtual Video Q&A
June 6, 2020Broker Fair 2020 Virtual is this week! Still have questions? I answered some of Johny Fernandez’s questions in this video interview below:
Sun Shines on deBanked CONNECT MIAMI for Another Year
January 24, 2020
Two blocks back from where the waves were washing up on Miami Beach, attendees flocked into the halls of the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. A mix of brokers, funders, lawyers, and anyone else attracted to alternative finance made up the crowd of the 2020 outing of deBanked Connect Miami.
They had come for the speakers and talks, the networking opportunities, and, of course, the weather; the first of these being a mix of topics and characters from across the industry. But before the talks could properly kick off, deBanked’s President and Founder Sean Murray took to the stage to welcome attendees and announced the publication’s latest news: the utility of www.seekingfin.com and the administration of two large social media groups, Merchant Cash Advance on Facebook and Merchant Cash Advance Resource on LinkedIn.
Following on from Murray’s introduction, Brian Holloway, former Patriots Offensive Lineman, opened the show with an impassioned speech alongside his son on how to translate your passions and determination into sales maximization, citing the mantra of “Let’s move as the champions move.” A collection of industry figures including United Capital Source’s Jared Weitz, Elevate’s Heather Francis, and alternative finance veteran David Goldin discussed the challenges and changes that businesses are likely to face when making money in 2020 – including what to be aware of when considering syndication and how to build a book. And closing the show were Gunes Kulaligil from Methodical Management alongside Hans Thomas of 10X Capital, who broke down how to accurately value yourself and your company’s worth.
Running throughout these talks, just off from the general session room, the sponsors hall was abuzz with deals and networking. With business cards exchanged, rumors swapped, and trends discussed, the hall served for the day as a focal point for the industry.
And as the sun set on South Beach, the speakers wrapped up and the sponsors wound down their tables. The audience billowed out into the courtyard, where the lasting Miami heat accompanied food, cocktails, and conversation, as deBanked Connect Miami closed for another year.
deBanked CONNECT MIAMI Kicks Off Today
January 16, 2020
deBanked’s annual South Florida event, deBanked CONNECT MIAMI, begins today at 1:30pm at The Loews Hotel in Miami Beach. Check-in will take place at the Rotunda on the 2nd level.
This event is SOLD OUT. More than 500 people are registered to attend this year.
Got an event question? Email: events@debanked.com
Got a general deBanked question? Email: info@debanked.com
Having trouble with the deBanked Events mobile app?
Make sure you have updated to the latest version on Android. Try to uninstall and reinstall on iOS. Still having trouble? email events@debanked.com
Missed out on today? Or want to get a head start on deBanked’s next event? Broker Fair 2020 in New York City is right around the corner! Register now at: https://brokerfair.org
The End Of An Era – deBanked Through The Decade
December 30, 2019
deBanked estimated that approximately $524 million worth of merchant cash advances had been funded in 2010.
In 2019, merchant cash advances and daily payment small business loan products exceed more than $20 billion a year in originations.
First Funds
Merchant Cash and Capital
Business Financial Services
AmeriMerchant
Greystone Business Resources
Strategic Funding Source
Fast Capital
Sterling Funding
iFunds
Kabbage
OnDeck
Square Capital
Amazon Lending
Funding Circle USA
Yellowstone Capital
Entrust Cash Advance
Merchants Capital Access
Merchant Resources International
American Finance Solutions
Nations Advance
Bankcard Funding
Rapid Capital Funding
Paramount Merchant Funding
1 Week Until deBanked CONNECT MIAMI
December 19, 2019|
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Get inspired by Brian Holloway’s Total Market Domination, find out how much your company is worth, and learn how to make the dough from the pros in 2020. Still need a ticket? Register here! Meet The Sponsors – Form Relationships Get deals done, sign up a new vendor, network and more at deBanked CONNECT MIAMI on January 16, 2020  |
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Stanford All-American, 5 time NFL All-Pro, and All-Star front line competitor 
Outside of the stages where these were held was the main expo hall. Dotted with booths and stands, the narrow pathways that were carved out by these were lined with a mix of businesses.
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But it wasn’t all blood and glory for Romanow, as the tale shifted from one of youthful expansion to one of reflection and acceptance of the unknown. Speaking on the effect of tech giants in various fields, Romanow explained that “we have no idea of how these industries will shape out.” The likes of Uber and AirBnb never planned change the world, just to change a product and thus solve a problem, and their meteoric rises are unpredictable as a result. Iteration, rather than innovation, is what drives a company forward according to Romanow.
“It’s a matter of spreading the word,” one conference goer noted when asked about the sales panel afterwards. “Businesses have to know who we are, and we’re working on that.”
Following this, Kevin Clark, President of 
