Small business owners are navigating one of the most uncertain economic landscapes in recent memory.

According to the September 2025 Chief Economists’ Outlook from the World Economic Forum, the global economy has entered a “new era of heightened uncertainty.” Trade realignments, inflationary pressures, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping industries and challenging even the most seasoned entrepreneurs. Across the U.S., small business owners are feeling the effects as they adapt daily to new costs, shifting consumer behavior, and complex lending environments.

Yet amid this volatility lies resilience and opportunity.

Two Days. Infinite Possibilities.

Step into a room where every conversation could change the trajectory of your business. The NYC CEO Capital Activation Event, a pilot collaboration between The Acceleration Project (TAP) and Founders First Capital Partners, was not just another conference. It was a curated, high-impact experience built exclusively for Certified Supplier CEOs ready to unlock capital and scale. Because access to funding is only the first step — small business owners also need strategy, guidance, and operational support to turn that capital into sustainable growth.

Over two powerful days in September in downtown New York City, selected small business owners met one-on-one with funders actively seeking to invest in diverse businesses. They built strategic partnerships with corporate leaders and procurement decision-makers and gained insider strategies from experts who know what it takes to grow and sustain momentum.

One of the event’s most energizing moments was the VIP Luncheon, a unique round-robin dining format where each course introduced participants to a new, high-value connection. Conversations flowed between funders, advisers, and CEOs. On day 2, entrepreneurs representing companies such as Relay Network, Black Hawk Data, 1Park9, and 19th & Park Inc shared their different paths to growth into multi-million-dollar enterprises, inspiring participants to envision their own next level of growth.

Capital providers and small business supporters in attendance included Empire State Development, New York City Department of Small Business Services, TruFund Financial Services, WBEC Metro NY, Nowcorp, Trinet, and Community Capital New York, all of whom offered insights on strengthening funding readiness and opening doors to new opportunities.

TAP CEO Jane Veron addressed the room, speaking about TAP’s mission and sharing a client success story to illustrate the transformative impact of access to capital and the power of partnerships that lift small business owners toward sustainable success.

This was more than networking. It was about creating direct pathways to funding and real results.

From Readiness to Results

Participants completed a capital-readiness assessment before the event, ensuring that every conversation was meaningful and grounded in real business data. During the sessions, each entrepreneur was matched with funders aligned to their industry, goals, and capital needs.

Access to funding opens doors, but capital alone is not enough. TAP’s work is grounded in compassionate, human-centered guidance. Through a national network of 200 volunteer consultants, TAP offers curated coaching that helps entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty, strengthen operations, and build confidence. In a time when so many small business owners feel isolated or overwhelmed, having someone to lean on — a trusted sounding board to share challenges and celebrate progress — makes all the difference. This blend of access and empathy is what truly accelerates success.

Through its partnership with Founders First, TAP continues to expand its ecosystem of support, making access to capital more equitable and achievable for under-resourced entrepreneurs.

The Ripple Effect

When small business owners gain access to capital, entire communities benefit. They hire locally, reinvest profits, and create new pathways to economic independence.

In a climate defined by uncertainty, events like the CEO Capital Activation Event are proof that when access meets action, small business potential becomes unstoppable.

✨ Apply today for a free 1:1 consultation or partner with us to help small business owners turn challenges into breakthroughs.