Smart Capital Options: The Right Financing at Every Stage of Manufacturing

Get the lowdown on nailing the perfect funding moves for every step in your manufacturing journey.

About This Event

Every manufacturer hits the same wall at some point: you know what you need to build, buy, or upgrade, but figuring out how to finance it without derailing everything else is another job entirely.

This webinar cuts through the noise. Whether you are an early-stage hardware startup trying to fund your first pilot run or an established manufacturer planning a major automation or Industry 4.0 investment, the challenge is less about finding capital and more about finding the right capital at the right time.

We have brought together lenders, government financing experts, and a manufacturer who has been through it to give you a practical, stage-by-stage look at what is actually available, what you need to qualify, and how to layer funding sources without overextending. No single program pitch. No one-size-fits-all advice. Just a clear framework you can apply to your business the next day.

Who Should Attend

This session is built for founders, COOs, operations leaders, and manufacturing decision-makers at hardware startups and established manufacturers alike. If you are planning capital expenditures, evaluating automation, or exploring digital transformation and want a clearer picture of how to finance it, this is for you. Advisors and ecosystem partners supporting manufacturing companies will find it equally valuable.

What You Will Walk Away With

• A practical framework for matching your funding needs to the right financing tool at the right stage
• Real insight into eligibility, timelines, and what lenders and program managers look for
• A capital readiness checklist you can put to use right away
• Concrete next steps and real points of contact

Moderator

Mark Michalski Manufacturing Expert in Residence, FORGE

Panelists

Lisa Gonzales Welch Business Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration, MA District Office

Lily Fitzgerald Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing

Abby Nguyen-Burke Senior Vice President, Team Leader, Equity Alliance for Business, Eastern Bank

Joe Hastry Co-Founder, Finance & Ops Leader, Florrent

About the Organizations

FORGE is a nonprofit that helps physical product companies navigate the journey from prototype to production, through manufacturing education, non-dilutive grants, and connections to a vetted network of regional suppliers and manufacturers.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, MA District Office connects small businesses with government-backed financing including 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans for working capital, equipment, and facility investments.

The Center for Advanced Manufacturing is a division of MassTech that funds and supports Massachusetts manufacturers through matching grants, innovation programs, and Industry 4.0 investments, with more than $100 million deployed since 2016.

Eastern Bank is the number one SBA lender in Massachusetts, offering flexible financing options for businesses that may not qualify through conventional lending channels, including through its Equity Alliance for Business program.

Florrent is a deeptech energy company developing bio-based supercapacitors for power quality and grid reliability applications, and a firsthand example of a hardware startup navigating the path from pilot to production