"Sources of Funding" (EP Breakfast)

Growing up in a very entrepreneurial family, I always knew I wanted to start my own business, first doing so at age 12. For the past five years, I ran WeVue, an HR technology startup based in Tampa. While running WeVue I truly found my strengths in fundraising and sales. I have an extensive background in business development and marketing and have been actively involved in the technology ecosystem in Florida. I now head up business development at Florida Funders, helping find new investors. I have a double major in Entrepreneurship and Political Science from Miami University. 

Sam’s career has focused on advising businesses during key transitional periods and daily operations, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate law and public accounting. Previously, Sam was an investment banker at Rosati Business Brokerage, a M&A advisory firm, a corporate lawyer at Foley & Lardner, a global law firm, and an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He graduated from the University of Virginia and the University of Florida. Sam is a licensed lawyer and CPA, and he actively invests in and advises local businesses. Sam is an active golfer, and he lives in the Tampa Bay area with his wife Lindsey.

Mike van Teeffelen is Vice President, Corporate Banking & Specialty Finance for BankUnited on the West Florida Corporate Banking team. Mike manages client relationships and addresses the lending & depository needs of middle-market companies, publicly-traded corporations and municipalities. He sources and underwrites stand-alone and syndicated credit facilities to fund real estate, equipment, business acquisitions as well as working capital needs. Mike also originates specialty finance loans for consumer  lenders, business loan originators, distribution finance companies, trade finance, factoring companies and the solar industry. Specialty finance loans include warehouse lines, aggregation facilities and static pool term debt. He is passionate about helping his clients grow their operations, and works diligently to offer creative & consultative financing solutions. Prior to his current role, Mike spent nine years at BB&T as a Relationship Manager covering the Central Florida market. Mike graduated from the University of Florida where he received his Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Entrepreneurship.