Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
11:30am – 9:00pm
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2024 State of Latino Entrepreneurship Summit

Join us for the 9th Annual State of Latino Entrepreneurship (SOLE) Summit, where the SLEI research team will reveal findings from their 2023 survey. Panel discussions and networking opportunities will follow.
Open to
Faculty
Staff
Students
Stanford Community
Alumni
Public

Location

Stanford Graduate School of Business
655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Crowne Plaza Palo Alto
4290 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
United States

 

On behalf of Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Latino Business Action Network, the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) invites you to the 9th Annual SOLE Summit, consisting of a forum and gala. 

SOLE Forum

Location: CEMEX Auditorium at the Knight Management Center (GSB)
Time: 11:30 a.m. Pacific
Ticket: Free, but registration is required

Unveiling Key Results from the 2023 Research Survey & Panel Discussions 

The SOLE Forum is our signature research event for the latest and most comprehensive insights on Latino entrepreneurship. Join us in person or virtually as we share our research findings from the 2023 annual survey, including highlights on financing trends, access to government and corporate contracts, and more. In addition, in-person participants can join panel sessions that provoke deeper discussions around the research findings. Watch last year’s recording.

“Very informative about Latinos and Latinas business owners and the areas where focus and actions need to be taken in order to strengthen our community and economy.” – 2023 participant

If you’re unable to attend this event in person, there will be an option to view the research presentation via livestream. Details on how to tune in will be distributed to registrants at a later time.

Networking Opportunities & Business Expo

Our in-person event brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers, capital providers, and ecosystem builders committed to championing Latino-owned businesses. In addition to networking with people from varied industries, participants will also have the opportunity to engage with exhibitors from companies that have participated in LBAN’s Business Scaling Program at Stanford.

“Exceptional opportunity to connect with people that make things happen!” – 2023 participant

SOLE Gala

Location: Crowne Plaza Palo Alto
Time: 6:30 p.m. Pacific
Ticket: Paid ticket required

Networking Reception & Dinner 

To cap off the day’s programming, we invite attendees to join us off-site for the SOLE Gala. This festive dinner celebration brings together SOLE Summit attendees for continued networking and a spotlight on Latino entrepreneurship.

Registration Details

Separate tickets are required to attend the Forum and Gala. For more information about the SOLE Summit and registration, please reference the FAQs at the bottom of this page.

Agenda

Time
Session
11:30 AM–12:30 PM

Registration and Business Expo

12:30–1:00 PM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Arturo Cazares, CEO, Latino Business Action Network

Dr. Richard Saller, President, Stanford University

1:00–1:20 PM

Research Findings

George Foster, SLEI Faculty Advisor and The Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Management, Stanford GSB

Dr. Barbara Gomez-Aguinaga, Associate Director, SLEI

1:20–1:50 PM

Panel Discussion with Latina Entrepreneurs

Panelists: Noramay Cadena, Carla Cervantes, Sophia Stone; Moderator: Jennifer Garcia

1:50–2:20 PM

Fireside Chat

José E. Feliciano, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Clearlake Capital Group

Jonathan Levin, Phillip H. Knight Professor and Dean, Stanford GSB

2:20–2:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Jerry Porras, SLEI Faculty Advisor and Founder, Latino Business Action Network

Victor Arias, Jr., Chairman and Co-founder, Latino Business Action Network

2:30–3:00 PM

Open Networking and Business Expo

3:00–4:00 PM

Panel Discussions: Session 1

The Power of Allocation: How Asset Allocators Shape a Diverse and Inclusive Capital Landscape

Discuss the crucial role that diverse fund managers play, track the flow of capital from LPs to VCs to founders, and learn about the role that asset allocators play in creating a diverse and inclusive capital landscape for founders.

Panelists: Neena Ballard, Alejandro Guerrero, Valeria Martinez, Liz Roberts; Moderator: Daryn Dodson; Host Remarks: Raquel González

Unlocking Capital: Enhancing Credit Access for Latino Entrepreneurs

Are you ready to take your business to new heights but need the financial backing to do so? Discover the diverse range of lending institutions available and uncover how they can fuel your company's growth and success.

Panelists: Jose Quinonez, Perla Rodriguez, Amadea Sanchez; Moderator: Jenny Flores; Host Remarks: Ruben Barrales

Fueling Economic Growth: Investing in Immigrant Entrepreneurship

Join the discussion on the transformative role of immigrant entrepreneurs in driving economic expansion. Discover strategies to support their ventures and change narratives around their contributions.

Panelists: Odet Ford, Reyna Maldonado, Pedro Moura, Max Vargas; Moderator: Iliana Perez; Host Remarks: Ying McGuire

4:00–4:30 PM

Open Networking and Business Expo

4:30–5:30 PM

Panel Discussions: Session 2

Redefining the VC Landscape: The Untapped Opportunity of Latino Startups

Despite Latinos outpacing non-Latinos in the tech sector, less than 2% of venture capital flows into their ventures. Explore the evolving VC landscape and the vast potential of Latino startups.

Panelists: John China, Miriam Rivera, Maricel Saenz; Moderator: Elian Savodivker

AI as a Catalyst: Transforming Strategies for Responsible Enhanced Business Outcomes

The intersection of AI strategy and ethics has never been more critical in a world increasingly driven by technology. This session will explore the utility and responsible implementation of AI business solutions.

Panelists: Antje Barth, Roberto Beltran, Rafael Granato, Jorge Torres; Moderator: Rebecca Gonzales

The Power of Mergers and Acquisitions to Propel Your Company Forward

Delve into the strategic utilization of M&A as a catalyst for growth and expansion in your business. Whether you're contemplating an exit strategy or seeking avenues for scaling, engage in the dialogue to gain valuable insights and guidance.

Panelists: Tomás Durán, Nick Maldonado, Mark Mokelke; Moderator: Abigail Golden-Vazquez; Host Remarks: Ebony White

6:30 PM

Reception and Gala

To be held at Crowne Plaza Palo Alto. A paid ticket is required.

Speakers

Director, Global Strategic & Sustainable Investments, Bank of America
Sr. Vice President, External Engagement, Wells Fargo
Principal Developer Advocate, Generative AI, AWS
AI Implementation Manager, Accenture
Managing Partner, Supply Change Capital
CEO, Latino Community Foundation
Vice President, Border Apparel Laundry
Co-Head of Innovation Economy for Middle Market Banking, J.P. Morgan Commercial & Investment Bank
Managing Partner, Illumen Capital
Partner, Concerned Capital, Inc.
Managing Partner and Co-founder, Clearlake Capital Group
Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy, Wells Fargo Foundation, Wells Fargo & Company
Immigrant Integration Initiatives Manager, California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
The Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Management
COO, Latino Business Action Network
Sr. Fellow, Strategy, Prosperity Now
Associate Director, Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative
Chief Customer Officer, The Cantellus Group
President, Silicon Valley, Bank of America
Head of Marketing, Aidaptive
Co-founder and General Partner, Act One Ventures
The President and Bing Presidential Professor
CEO, Toro Taxes
Business Owner, La Guerrera's Kitchen
Investor, VamosVentures
CEO & President, National Minority Supplier Development Council
Sr. Vice President, Market Executive, Bank of America
Co-founder & CEO, Flourish Fi
Executive Director, Immigrants Rising
The Lane Professor of Organizational Behavior and Change, Emeritus
CEO, Mission Asset Fund
CEO, Co-founder, and Managing Director, Ulu Ventures
Head of Impact Investing, MassMutual
CEO, Voler Strategic Advisors
CEO, Compound Foods, Inc.
President, Stanford University
Sr. Small Business Relationship Manager, AVP, Wells Fargo Bank
Sr. Director of Programs, Latino Business Action Network
CEO, Indie Tech
CEO, Mindsdb
Vice President of Economic Justice, Latino Community Foundation
Sr. Director of Programs, Prosperity Now

Questions? Contact

Associate Director, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies