Paladin Global Partners Supports Small Business Access to Capital at HEI Financial Forum 2026
Derek Assaf, Yulimar Trumbo, Bo Megginson (left to right) | Photo taken at HEI Financial Forum: Access To Capital 2026
For small business owners, access to capital can be one of the biggest factors determining how, and how quickly, a company can grow. But securing funding is only part of the equation. Businesses also need the right financial foundation, strategy and resources to be ready when opportunities arise. That’s why Paladin Global Partners was proud to sponsor the Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative (HEI) Financial Forum: Access to Capital for Small Businesses, alongside Inclusifi, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and sponsor and organizing partner of the forum.
The event was held at the Palm Beach State College Boca Raton campus on August 21st, 2026 and brought together entrepreneurs, lenders, financial professionals, economic development leaders and business resource organizations for a day focused on expanding access to capital, strengthening financial knowledge and helping small businesses prepare for sustainable growth.
Connecting Small Businesses With Capital and Resources
The Financial Forum gave entrepreneurs an opportunity to hear directly from experts about the financial issues and funding opportunities affecting small businesses today. The program included keynote speaker Richard Jean Baptiste of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Southeast Regional Office, along with sessions addressing economic development, commercial lending, business credit and resources available to entrepreneurs.
Attendees also heard from Meri Weymer with Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Development and Sandra Tobon of Consolidated Credit. Panel discussions brought together representatives from banks, credit unions, CDFIs and entrepreneurial support organizations to offer different perspectives on accessing capital, building business credit and preparing for growth.
The forum also connected attendees with organizations including 1909, Florida SBDC at FAU, CareerSource Palm Beach County, Operation HOPE and SCORE Palm Beach County, providing entrepreneurs with resources that can support them at different stages of their business journey.
Paladin Global Partners in the Room
For Paladin, sponsoring the Financial Forum was about more than supporting an event. It was about being part of the conversation. Chief Growth Officer Nikki Cabus served as emcee, guiding attendees through the day’s programming and helping connect the conversations happening on stage. Meanwhile, Advisor Bo Megginson and Technical Director Derek Assaf represented Paladin at the company’s table, meeting directly with entrepreneurs, answering questions and learning more about the financial and operational challenges they face. Those conversations reinforced an important point: access to capital begins with being capital-ready.
Helping Small Businesses Prepare for Growth
Paladin Global Partners works alongside business owners to strengthen the financial and operational foundations needed to pursue new opportunities. That can include improving financial visibility, preparing for conversations with banks and investors, evaluating funding needs and developing strategies for putting capital to work effectively. Because the question isn’t simply, “How do I get funding?”
Business owners should also be asking: How much capital do I need? What type of funding makes sense for my business? Am I prepared to pursue it? And how will I use that capital to create sustainable growth? These are the conversations Paladin is committed to having with entrepreneurs.
We’re proud to support HEI, Inclusivifi and South Florida’s small business community and to work alongside organizations committed to expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs. Together, we can help business owners build stronger companies, make informed financial decisions and prepare for what comes next.
