Join us for the 3rd and final installment of the Peer2Peer series, The Capital Panel, where ICA Alumni will talk about their experiences raising capital and about what happens after you receive the funds. ICA’s Market Development and Investment Manager, Hector Ramos, will be joining the panel and sharing his insights on the topic from an ICA perspective and personal experience.
Peer2Peer: Founder experiences raising capital
When: Thursday, April 6th, 11am–12:30pm
Register: Sign-up here.
Panelists:
Gemma Holmes, Firebrand Artisan Breads, Director of Finance
With 20+ years of business consulting and financial experience, Gemma brings passion and energy to emerging businesses with creative solutions for their business needs. Understanding that a business’ financial health is paramount to growth, Gemma draws from her deep accounting to finance knowledge to help develop business strategies that sustain success. She has helped to grow Firebrand, an ICA incubator company, over the last ten years, into a thriving business with 100+ employees and navigated the challenges of the global pandemic that shuttered many small businesses by helping pivot the business model to achieve financial and business goals.
Sharon Tuggle, Founder of 5 Element Food Therapy
Sharon Tuggle is on a mission to end chronic disease in dogs and cats using the healing power of food through her business, 5 Element Food Therapy. Their products are designed to help improve and maintain wellness in cats and dogs by adding whole food supplements to their regular daily diet.
Claire Schlemme, Renewal Mill, Co- Founder & CEO
Claire Schlemme is an ardent environmentalist who saw a need to fix a broken food system in order to protect the planet. Claire’s lifelong interest in food and nature began to intertwine when she was diagnosed with cancer in her early 20s. This experience made her passionate about understanding the links between food and health, both of our environment and our own bodies. She co-founded Boston’s first organic juice company with the aim to connect local farmers and city-dwellers through nutritious and delicious foods. This experience exposed her to two primary challenges: food waste and the lack of affordable nutrition. Committed to finding solutions at the intersection of food, sustainability, and accessible nutrition, Claire launched Renewal Mill. She also co-founded The Outrage, an online and pop-up feminist marketplace that blended design and activism. Prior to diving into entrepreneurship, Claire was an environmental consultant at Industrial Economics, Inc. in Cambridge, MA. She holds a BA from Wellesley College and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University.
Hector Ramos, ICA Market Development & Investment Manager
Hector Ramos is ICA’s Market Development & Investment Manager. He’s responsible for building and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders in-market as well as driving Seed and Growth investments. He has extensive experience in banking and debt financing at major financial institutions and has funded everything from regional startups to multinational corporations. Also, his fellowship with Kiva in Central America and first-hand experience being raised in a small business environment has made him appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit and journey of diverse entrepreneurs.
