The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation will host two financing educational seminars this month targeting the state's small business community: "Navigating the Credit Crunch: Alternative Lending Sources " on Wednesday, November 19 at noon and "Financing Fast Growth " on Tuesday, November 25 at 10 a.m. Both events will be held at the RIEDC's Providence offices located at 555 Valley St., Providence and are free to the public.

The first seminar, "Navigating the Credit Crunch: Alternative Lending Sources," will feature a moderated panel discussion introducing local companies to non-bank sources of debt capital that can be used to expand and grow small businesses. Local businesses will meet alternative asset-based lenders, learn how their loan products work and create relationships with potential new lending sources. The panel, moderated by Commercial Financial Consulting's Ralph X. Stone, includes: Peter Aransky, Greenfield Commercial Credit; George P. Gochis, Diamond Business Credit; Jack O'Neil, Danvers Savings Bank; and David McIlroy, Wells Fargo Business Credit. The program and lunch are free, but registration ends on November 17. Please RSVP to Meghan O'Connor at moconnor [at] riedc.com

The second seminar, "Financing Fast Growth," will detail early stage capital sources for fast growing companies in Rhode Island, featuring local equity and near equity capital providers followed by lunch and networking. The event is hosted by Clear Venture Partners, a venture capital fund that acts as a venture educator and developer in secondary cities throughout northern New England. Attendees will learn about equity sources and how to tap into them, the venture capital process, how angel investors differ from venture capital, and innovation and technology grants. Panelists include: Michael Gurau and Michael Burgmaier, Clear Venture Partners; Richard G. Horan, Slater Technology Fund; Peter Dorsey, Cherrystone Angels and BDCRI; Tim O'Loughlin, Vencore Capital; and Richard Ferro, RLF Management Services. The program and lunch are free, but registration ends on November 18. Please RSVP to Jen Walker at jw [at] clearvcs.com