Mobile, AL – Want to start or grow a business but not sure how to fund it? Innovation Portal proudly announces the return of MoneyFEST on May 7, 2026. Now in its fourth year, this free, full-day event is designed to remove the obstacles between Gulf Coast entrepreneurs and the funding they need to build successful businesses.

Understanding how to fund a business can be just as challenging as building the business itself. MoneyFEST 2026 bridges that gap by bringing together lenders, investors, and grant experts across every funding pathway — from traditional bank loans and angel investors to grants, pitch competitions, and bootstrapping strategies. And it does it in a supportive, no-pressure environment where entrepreneurs can get real answers in plain language, without the jargon.

“Access to capital remains one of the biggest obstacles for entrepreneurs in our region,” says Todd Greer, Executive Director of Innovation Portal. “MoneyFEST creates a space where business owners can not only learn about funding options, but actually connect with the people and organizations who can help turn their business ideas into reality.”

The event will feature a standout lineup of speakers who have been on both sides of the funding table. Gia Wiggins, Mobile entrepreneur and Innovation Portal board member, recently closed a $2 million seed round including funds from investors like Halogen Ventures, Innovate Alabama, and Techstars — making her one of the most compelling voices on what it actually takes to raise capital as a Gulf Coast founder. She’ll be joined by JD Jernigan, a multi-time founder who now leads gBETA Gulf Coast — a collaboration between Innovation Portal and gener8tor, one of the top startup accelerators in the country — and Mary Wallace Hannon of Regions Foundation, which has awarded more than 400 grants totaling over $36 million to organizations across the region since 2018. Additional speakers will be announced at innovationport.al/moneyfest.

Participants will experience a comprehensive program featuring:

● Expert-led sessions across three specialized tracks: Lending, Investment, and Social Impact & Nonprofit

● Real-world funding stories from entrepreneurs who have already navigated the journey

● Specialized breakout sessions on business credit, financial prep, pitch strategy, grant writing, and more

● Capital Conversations — structured one-on-one time with actual lenders and investors

● Networking opportunities with funding professionals and fellow entrepreneurs

● A closing happy hour for continued relationship building

Thanks to the generous support of our Presenting Sponsors, Merchants & Marine Bank and Voyager Lending, MoneyFEST 2026 is completely free to the community — removing yet

another barrier to accessing the business knowledge that every Gulf Coast entrepreneur deserves.

For more information or to reserve your spot, visit innovationport.al/moneyfest.

About Innovation Portal:

Innovation Portal is a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub dedicated to accelerating the growth of startup businesses across southwest Alabama and the central Gulf Coast. Offering more than just workspace, Innovation Portal is a community where entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives come together to launch and grow their ventures.

Contact: Nick Hampton, Program Director | programs@innovation-portal.com | 251-202-7165