2026 State of Latino Entrepreneurship
SOLE Summit
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Agenda & Sessions
Wednesday, March 25th Programming
9:00 - 10:30 am
Registration & Open Networking
Check in, grab your badge, and start connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders before the event kicks off!
10:30 - 12:00 pm
Research Presentation &
Fireside Chat
Discover the latest research on Latino entrepreneurship and join an engaging fireside chat.
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch, Open Networking & Business Expo
Grab lunch on campus (not included) while connecting with fellow attendees and exploring innovative businesses showcasing their products and services at the Business Expo Booth.
2:30 - 3:00 pm
Open Networking
Use this time to network with over 1,000 attendees and explore the Business Expo booths
6:30 - 10:30 pm
SOLE Celebration & Fundraising Gala
Santa Clara Marriott Hotel
Network in a relaxed and welcoming environment. A paid ticket is required.
Includes entrance to the Gala with hosted beer & wine during the reception and a full-course dinner with open seating.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS ROUND 1
Shaping the AI Economy: Innovation, Investment, and Opportunity
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how companies are built, funded, and scaled. From venture capital to enterprise adoption, AI is redefining competitive advantage and unlocking new pathways to growth. Panelists will unpack how capital is flowing into AI, what investors are truly looking for, how founders are navigating rapid innovation cycles, and how financial institutions are adapting to support AI-driven growth.
Speakers
Retail Contracts: What It Takes to Break Into Big Retail
Breaking into large retail requires more than a great product. This panel will demystify what it really takes to become “retail ready,” from understanding how large retailers evaluate suppliers to navigating the application and contracting process.
Panelists will cover how to position your company, prepare your operations, navigate procurement requirements, and avoid common pitfalls that can stall or derail promising opportunities. Whether you are just beginning to explore retail partnerships or actively pursuing large contracts, this session will provide practical insights, real-world examples, and clear next steps to help you compete—and win—at scale.
Speakers
From Seed to Scale: The New Reality of Venture Funding
The venture capital landscape is undergoing a significant reset, reshaping how capital is deployed, evaluated, and scaled. This panel will explore current venture funding trends, shifts in investor behavior, and what the data reveals about who is getting funded. Panelists will unpack how risk, valuation, and growth expectations have shifted, what investors are prioritizing in early and growth-stage companies, and how founders can adapt their strategies accordingly. The discussion will offer clarity on the structural dynamics shaping venture today and provide actionable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to raise and deploy capital more effectively.
Speakers
Access to Capital: Resources for Entrepreneurs
Access to capital remains one of the most critical—and complex—challenges for entrepreneurs seeking to start, sustain, and scale their businesses. This panel will highlight practical resources designed to bridge capital gaps for founders who may be early-stage, undercapitalized, or navigating traditional systems for the first time.
Panelists will explore how community-based capital providers combine flexible financing with hands-on support to help entrepreneurs strengthen financial readiness, build lender confidence, and position their businesses for long-term growth.
Speakers
PANEL DISCUSSIONS ROUND 2
2026 Investment Trends: Navigating Opportunity in the Current Business Landscape
Venture investing has entered a more selective era—where access to capital depends less on momentum and more on clarity, traction, and strategic positioning. Panelists will discuss how investors are underwriting risk in 2026, how expectations around growth and profitability have evolved, and where real opportunity exists despite a more disciplined market. The session will also unpack how emerging technologies, sector specialization, and market timing influence funding decisions.
Speakers
Cash Flow Optimization to Scale Your Business
Cash flow, not just revenue, is what determines whether a business can truly scale. Panelists will offer insights on structuring capital responsibly, tightening collections, managing risk, and creating systems that give owners clearer visibility into their cash position. Whether you are navigating growth, preparing for financing, or simply looking to operate more efficiently, this session will equip you with tools and perspectives to strengthen cash flow and scale with confidence.
Speakers
Philanthropy as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurship
Philanthropy plays a powerful role in shaping who gets to start, grow, and scale a business, by filling gaps that traditional markets and financial systems often leave behind. Panelists will discuss how grants, program-related investments, research funding, and capacity-building initiatives can unlock access to capital, accelerate business growth, and strengthen entire entrepreneurial ecosystems. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how philanthropy can be leveraged as a strategic force to expand opportunity, drive innovation, and build a more inclusive economy.
Speakers
Commercial Real Estate Ownership: How SBA Loans Unlock Financing Options
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and accessing affordable, government-backed financing is crucial for fueling growth, innovation, and job creation. In this session, our panelists will share their insights on how SBA lending programs, such as 7(a) and other loans, can be leveraged to overcome funding challenges and accelerate business expansion.
Speakers
