Oakland event to connect Indigenous entrepreneurs with capital providers

From left: Elizabeth Perez, founder of energy services company GC Green; Joey Montoya, founder and CEO of Urban Native Era; and Nicole Johnny, investment associate at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, will speak at the Trading at the Bay event for Native entrepreneurs in Oakland on April 30.

Details: By Tribal Business News Staff; Indigenous Entrepreneurs; April 16, 2025

Mission Driven Finance will host an event designed to connect Indigenous entrepreneurs with funding opportunities April 30 in Oakland.

Trading at the Bay, organized by the company's Indigenous Futures Fund, will bring together Native business owners and capital providers at the Intertribal Friendship House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free event will feature panel discussions on funding solutions and business development strategies specifically for Indigenous entrepreneurs, according to the event's website.

Speakers include military veteran and energy entrepreneur Elizabeth Perez (North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians), Urban Native Era Founder and CEO Joey Montoya (Lipan Apache), Nicole Johnny (Diné), investment associate at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, and others.

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The event also includes dedicated networking time where entrepreneurs can connect directly with capital providers.

Trading at the Bay represents part of Mission Driven Finance's broader strategy to strengthen financial infrastructure for Native enterprises throughout Indian Country.

The company's Indigenous Futures Fund, announced in February 2024, provides $25 million in available credit alongside $2 million in grant funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs and tribal enterprises.

This funding can match federal allocations from programs like the State Small Business Credit Initiative and supports Native Community Development Financial Institutions across Indian Country.

Mission Driven Finance operates as a California limited liability company and Certified B Corporation focused on addressing the "capital gap" faced by small businesses and community projects, according to its website.