Turning your side hustle into a thriving business takes more than passion—it takes funding, strategy, and the right playbook.

This panel brings together experts across investing, banking, and community building to share real-world insights on raising capital—without the fluff.

What we’ll cover:

• Grassroots & community support: partnerships, sponsorships, and building traction from day one
• Angel/VC insights: what makes an early-stage idea fundable
• Bank financing essentials: when loans make sense and how to get lender-ready

Who is this for?

Side-hustlers, creative entrepreneurs, and first-time founders—especially those navigating NYC’s fast-paced landscape. Whether you’re building a brand, running a neighborhood business, or pitching investors, you’ll leave with practical tools, funding pathways, and insider tips to avoid common mistakes.

Lights snacks + drinks will be provided!

Panelists:

• Lori Chen, Founder & CEO of Kyovest (Ex-JPMorgan Executive)
  Lori brings deep experience in private wealth and is now building accessible digital asset investing tools for emerging entrepreneurs.
• Jane Wu, Vice President, Community Manager at JPMorganChase
  With over 8 years in financial services, Jane is dedicated to building trust and relationships with her community by delivering financial health education and connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow. She helps bridge the gap between her community and the financial tools offered by traditional banks.
• HK Han, Co-Founder of Leadflow.NYC and The Asian Creative Foundation
  Han’s portfolio includes large-scale corporate branding, digital experience development, and technology integration, with prior roles at ESI Design and Habitat NYC.
• Moderator:  Macy Kwok, Associate Board Member of Welcome to Chinatown and Founder of Women Uninterrupted Comedy