Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Brings Back In-Person Most Fundable Companies Showcase Event

Entrepreneur, Founder and Philanthropist Kim Folsom Will Be Keynote Speaker

MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 6, 2022  /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Most Fundable Companies Showcase 2022 event will be held on October 13 at the Villa Graziadio Executive Center and presented by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, and announced today that Kim Folsom, founder and CEO of Founders First Capital Partners, Inc. will be this year's keynote speaker.

This year's much anticipated Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Most Fundable Companies Showcase event will unveil the 16 winners of the 5th annual startup competition. Winning companies were selected from more than 4,000 startups from all 50 states using an online comprehensive submission and review process powered by The Venture Alliance (TVA). The showcase event will introduce the audience to this incredible set of companies and kicks off a series of opportunities to interact with the winners, sponsors, council members, and Pepperdine Graziadio staff. The winning list of companies will also be featured in Entrepreneur magazine, along with other national publications.

The Most Fundable Companies are evaluated on several variables including financial projections, market opportunity, intellectual property, competitive advantage in their market, and the strength of management team expertise. Each of these variables is then used to generate objective and customized feedback and scoring to improve readiness for funding.

"We're very excited to host this year's showcase event in-person. Our virtual events the last couple of years were great, but nothing is better than having the founders and investors physically together in the same room," said Dr. Craig Everett, executive director of the Most Fundable Companies competition, and finance professor at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. "This year's event will include a startup expo, media room, special guest speakers, winning companies' presentations, and award ceremony. Additionally, our keynote speaker Kim Folsom was chosen not only for her impressive philanthropic achievements, but also for her company's comprehensive approach to evaluating, funding, and helping companies achieve stellar growth."

"I am very pleased to have been chosen as the keynote speaker for this year's Most Fundable Companies event," added Ms. Folsom. "The Most Fundable Companies evaluation process helps hone a startup's infrastructure knowledge base and approach to raising capital. It is perfectly aligned with our company's vision and approach to fund and/or add growth support for underrepresented startups and small businesses lacking access to capital and human capital business growth expertise. I look forward to being part of this momentous event and meeting this year's competition winners."

Based in San Diego, Ms. Folsom founded and leads the only black and women-led, revenue-based investment and advisory support venture platform, raising $150M in committed capital to date. She was recognized earlier this year as one of Graziadio's Notable Alumni, as well as a Pepperdine Outstanding Alumni | Women in Leadership honoree. Her company, Founders First Capital Partners, Inc., is focused on partnering with employer-based, contract revenue generating small businesses ($500K to $10M), to provide flexible and non-dilutive funding, expertise, and resources to achieve exponential growth in underserved communities. Since its founding in 2015, the firm has funded and helped approximately 650 companies. Ms. Folsom earned her MBA degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a bachelor's degree in information systems and a minor in economics from San Diego State University.

Event information:

• Location: Villa Graziadio Executive Center, Malibu, CA
• Event Registration: https://engage.pepperdine.edu/s/lt-event?id=a2n4N000001nBGAQA2#
• Hotels, Pepperdine has special rates at some local hotels. Please see: https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/parents/malibu/hotels.htm

About Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School
For more than 50 years, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has challenged individuals to think boldly and drive meaningful change within their industries and communities. Dedicated to developing Best for the World Leaders, the Graziadio School offers a comprehensive range of MBA, MS, executive, and doctoral degree programs grounded in integrity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Graziadio School advances experiential learning through small classes with distinguished faculty that stimulate critical thinking and meaningful connection, inspiring students and working professionals to realize their greatest potential as values-centered leaders. Follow Pepperdine Graziadio on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Contact:
Hillary Doran
Director of Brand Marketing
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
(310) 568-2339
[email protected]

Media Contact

Hillary Doran, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, 1 (310) 568-2339, [email protected]

SOURCE Pepperdine Graziadio Business School