Free business financing workshop to be hosted at Ivy Tech Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is hosting Get Bank Ready, a no cost workshop for entrepreneurs who want financial readiness training before they meet with a lender. The workshop will be held Monday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Lamkin Hall.

The workshop is part of CEED to Success, a national pilot program designed to expand financing education and create pathways to business growth and economic opportunity, with a focus on underserved populations. Through this initiative, Ivy Tech Bloomington is partnering with Indiana Members Credit Union, Baker Hill, the program's founder, and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) to bring these resources to the community.

“The first time our entrepreneurs sit down with a lender should not be the first time they learn what a lender needs to see,” said Department Chair Sueann Graham, Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ivy Tech Bloomington. “In our program, students build their financial model, business plan, and pitch before they ever ask for a dollar. This workshop opens the same door to the entire community. Business owners will leave knowing what to prepare, who in the region can help, and what it takes to walk into a bank with confidence.”

The workshop brings together entrepreneurs, lenders, and economic development experts to help attendees navigate the funding landscape. Programming includes an overview of resources for area entrepreneurs and a financing fundamentals presentation led by Indiana Members Credit Union.

“CEED to Success isn’t just a program—it’s a catalyst for systemic change,” said Dirk Soma, director, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Baker Hill. “By working alongside NACCE and aligning education, entrepreneurship and local partnerships, we’re building resilient ecosystems where underserved entrepreneurs don’t just start businesses; they drive lasting, community-centered impact.”

This collaboration underscores a shared mission to turn entrepreneurial dreams into tangible success stories by making business loans more accessible, especially for underserved founders.

“Being bankable is about more than securing a loan,” said Vice President Trevor Haley, Commercial Underwriting, Indiana Members Credit Union. “It is about building a business that is positioned for long-term success. Through this program, we want to help entrepreneurs understand the financial foundations that inspire confidence from lenders, investors, and partners. By serving as educators and trusted advisors, financial institutions can play an important role in helping small businesses grow and thrive.”

The importance of this effort is reflected in the broader small business landscape. Recent U.S. Census data show that women-owned and minority-owned firms each represent more than one in five employer businesses nationwide, while veteran-owned businesses remain a significant force in communities across the country. As these entrepreneurs continue to grow their economic impact, initiatives like CEED to Success help ensure they also have clearer pathways to the financing knowledge, relationships, and resources needed to scale.

Ivy Tech Bloomington is located at 200 Daniels Way on the west side of Bloomington, Ind. Lunch is provided and seating is limited.

For more information and to reserve a seat, visit https://link.ivytech.edu/ceedworkshop.