Day two at the SOFWERX Small Business Bootcamp in Tampa was all about growth, funding, and pitching. The sessions focused on getting investment-ready, understanding capital strategies, and fine-tuning business growth plans.

The Entrepreneurial Pitch Preparation session drilled down into what makes a successful pitch. The key advice: know the problem you’re solving, validate your solution, and be ready to pivot. The best pitches come from businesses that truly understand their customers. There was also an emphasis on getting customer feedback early and being clear about who your competition is; because if you think you don’t have any, you haven’t looked hard enough.

The Funding Strategies Panel covered the realities of raising capital. The biggest message was that not every business needs outside funding, and taking on investors comes at a cost. Venture capitalists and private equity firms look for strong financials, founder quality, and a clear plan for scaling. Many investors aren’t just looking at technology, they want proof that customers are actually using and paying for the product.

The Business Growth Strategies Panel explored the importance of planning for growth and knowing your endgame. Some businesses scale quickly, while others remain stuck because they never define where they’re going. There was also a strong focus on leveraging Florida’s defense and tech ecosystem, which has untapped potential for businesses in this space. Networking and finding the right partners were major themes throughout the discussion.

The main lesson from today was that funding and growth require strategy. Investors want to see a business that is financially sound, scalable, and solving a real problem. At the same time, entrepreneurs need to be selective; choosing the right funding path and planning for sustainable growth is just as important as securing capital in the first place.

Looking forward to the final day of the bootcamp, where the focus will shift to execution, engagement, and speed dating.