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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T173000
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DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20260120T222448Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T222220Z
UID:10004464-1780507800-1780513200@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, owner of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston\, Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, and creator of the Legacy Maximizer exit strategy\, for a practical\, real-world discussion on selling and buying businesses. \nSelling or acquiring a business is one of the most significant financial decisions most entrepreneurs will ever make\, yet many owners and buyers go through the process for the first time without a clear roadmap. This session breaks down the transaction process from both sides of the table and highlights how thoughtful planning\, proper valuation\, and coordinated advice can materially impact outcomes. \nFor business owners\, the discussion centers on how to maximize enterprise value\, prepare for a future exit\, and align business decisions with personal wealth\, tax\, and legacy goals. For buyers\, the session explores entrepreneurship through acquisition\, including how buying an existing business can reduce risk\, generate immediate cash flow\, and serve as a growth strategy for current operators. \nDrawing on his experience as a business broker\, investment advisor\, and financial professional\, Lenny connects the technical aspects of M&A with broader exit planning and wealth strategy considerations\, helping attendees understand not just how transactions work\, but how they fit into a bigger financial picture. \nTopics include: \n\nCurrent market conditions and buyer demand\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\nKey drivers of business value\nHow businesses are valued in the real world\nRecasting and normalizing financial statements\nOverview of the sales and acquisition process\nThe role of advisors and the deal team\nTax\, insurance\, and planning considerations before and after a transaction\n\nThis session is ideal for business owners considering a sale now or in the future\, prospective buyers exploring acquisition\, and professionals who support small business owners through growth and transition. \nPresenter\n \nLenny Saizan is the owner and lead broker of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston\, where he advises business owners on exit planning\, value maximization\, and business sales\, and supports buyers pursuing acquisitions and franchises. He is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, an investment firm focused on expanding access to private investment opportunities. \nEarlier in his career\, Lenny spent two decades in engineering\, automation\, and oil and gas\, leading teams across operational controls\, financial controls\, and audit. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. His credentials include Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, Six Sigma Green Belt\, and Project Management Professional. In 2025\, he was recognized as Deal Maker of The Year at Houston Dealmakers conference. \n 
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/buying-and-selling-businesses-7/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 032\, 4201 Main St\, Houston
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSC_0501-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260401T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260401T190000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20260120T222423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T222633Z
UID:10004463-1775064600-1775070000@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, owner of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston\, Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, and creator of the Legacy Maximizer exit strategy\, for a practical\, real-world discussion on selling and buying businesses. \nSelling or acquiring a business is one of the most significant financial decisions most entrepreneurs will ever make\, yet many owners and buyers go through the process for the first time without a clear roadmap. This session breaks down the transaction process from both sides of the table and highlights how thoughtful planning\, proper valuation\, and coordinated advice can materially impact outcomes. \nFor business owners\, the discussion centers on how to maximize enterprise value\, prepare for a future exit\, and align business decisions with personal wealth\, tax\, and legacy goals. For buyers\, the session explores entrepreneurship through acquisition\, including how buying an existing business can reduce risk\, generate immediate cash flow\, and serve as a growth strategy for current operators. \nDrawing on his experience as a business broker\, investment advisor\, and financial professional\, Lenny connects the technical aspects of M&A with broader exit planning and wealth strategy considerations\, helping attendees understand not just how transactions work\, but how they fit into a bigger financial picture. \nTopics include: \n\nCurrent market conditions and buyer demand\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\nKey drivers of business value\nHow businesses are valued in the real world\nRecasting and normalizing financial statements\nOverview of the sales and acquisition process\nThe role of advisors and the deal team\nTax\, insurance\, and planning considerations before and after a transaction\n\nThis session is ideal for business owners considering a sale now or in the future\, prospective buyers exploring acquisition\, and professionals who support small business owners through growth and transition. \nPresenter\n \nLenny Saizan is the owner and lead broker of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston\, where he advises business owners on exit planning\, value maximization\, and business sales\, and supports buyers pursuing acquisitions and franchises. He is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, an investment firm focused on expanding access to private investment opportunities. \nEarlier in his career\, Lenny spent two decades in engineering\, automation\, and oil and gas\, leading teams across operational controls\, financial controls\, and audit. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. His credentials include Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, Six Sigma Green Belt\, and Project Management Professional. In 2025\, he was recognized as Deal Maker of The Year at Houston Dealmakers conference. \n 
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/buying-and-selling-businesses-6/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030\, 4201 Main St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSC_0501-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T190000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20251215T175833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T222843Z
UID:10004387-1769621400-1769626800@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, owner of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston\, Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, and creator of the Legacy Maximizer exit strategy\, for a practical\, real-world discussion on selling and buying businesses. \nSelling or acquiring a business is one of the most significant financial decisions most entrepreneurs will ever make\, yet many owners and buyers go through the process for the first time without a clear roadmap. This session breaks down the transaction process from both sides of the table and highlights how thoughtful planning\, proper valuation\, and coordinated advice can materially impact outcomes. \nFor business owners\, the discussion centers on how to maximize enterprise value\, prepare for a future exit\, and align business decisions with personal wealth\, tax\, and legacy goals. For buyers\, the session explores entrepreneurship through acquisition\, including how buying an existing business can reduce risk\, generate immediate cash flow\, and serve as a growth strategy for current operators. \nDrawing on his experience as a business broker\, investment advisor\, and financial professional\, Lenny connects the technical aspects of M&A with broader exit planning and wealth strategy considerations\, helping attendees understand not just how transactions work\, but how they fit into a bigger financial picture. \nTopics include: \n\nCurrent market conditions and buyer demand\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\nKey drivers of business value\nHow businesses are valued in the real world\nRecasting and normalizing financial statements\nOverview of the sales and acquisition process\nThe role of advisors and the deal team\nTax\, insurance\, and planning considerations before and after a transaction\n\nThis session is ideal for business owners considering a sale now or in the future\, prospective buyers exploring acquisition\, and professionals who support small business owners through growth and transition. \nPresenter\n \nLenny Saizan is the owner and lead broker of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston\, where he advises business owners on exit planning\, value maximization\, and business sales\, and supports buyers pursuing acquisitions and franchises. He is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, an investment firm focused on expanding access to private investment opportunities. \nEarlier in his career\, Lenny spent two decades in engineering\, automation\, and oil and gas\, leading teams across operational controls\, financial controls\, and audit. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. His credentials include Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, Six Sigma Green Belt\, and Project Management Professional. In 2025\, he was recognized as Deal Maker of The Year at Houston Dealmakers conference. \n 
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/buying-and-selling-businesses-5/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030\, 4201 Main St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSC_0501-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T183000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20250128T210159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T155616Z
UID:10002878-1763573400-1763577000@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\,\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\,\nWhat makes a company valuable\,\nHow companies are valued\,\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\,\nThe sales process\,\nThe deal team\,\nTaxes and insurance considerations.\n\nPresenter:\nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/angel-investing-101-buying-and-selling-businesses-4/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030\, 4201 Main St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1630-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T183000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20250128T210133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T162933Z
UID:10002877-1760463000-1760466600@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\,\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\,\nWhat makes a company valuable\,\nHow companies are valued\,\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\,\nThe sales process\,\nThe deal team\,\nTaxes and insurance considerations.\n\nPresenter:\nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/angel-investing-101-buying-and-selling-businesses-3/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030\, 4201 Main St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1630-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250903T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250903T183000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20250128T210103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T195551Z
UID:10002876-1756920600-1756924200@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\,\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\,\nWhat makes a company valuable\,\nHow companies are valued\,\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\,\nThe sales process\,\nThe deal team\,\nTaxes and insurance considerations.\n\nPresenter:\nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/angel-investing-101-buying-and-selling-businesses-2/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 032\, 4201 Main St\, Houston
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1630-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250604T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250604T183000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20250519T005844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T005844Z
UID:10003290-1749058200-1749061800@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\,\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\,\nWhat makes a company valuable\,\nHow companies are valued\,\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\,\nThe sales process\,\nThe deal team\,\nTaxes and insurance considerations.\n\nPresenter:\nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/buying-and-selling-businesses-4/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 032\, 4201 Main St\, Houston
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1630-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250402T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250402T183000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20250324T163204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T200954Z
UID:10002974-1743615000-1743618600@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\,\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\,\nWhat makes a company valuable\,\nHow companies are valued\,\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\,\nThe sales process\,\nThe deal team\,\nTaxes and insurance considerations.\n\nPresenter:\nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/buying-and-selling-businesses-3/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 031\, 4201 Main St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1630-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250224T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250224T100000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20250204T214809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250218T193511Z
UID:10002899-1740384000-1740391200@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Tech-Savvy Investing: How To Capitalize on the Innovation Economy
DESCRIPTION:Curious about investing in the technologies shaping the future? Join Urban Capital Network to get insights on navigating the innovation economy\, discovering how corporate employees can become investors in groundbreaking startups and emerging technologies\, and how to capitalize on opportunities that are driving corporate growth and wealth creation. \nSpeakers: \nFelix Chevalier\, Co-Founder of Urban Capital Network \nFelix is an attorney with extensive experience advising start-ups\, governments\, and multi-national corporations. He is adept at facilitating business development and structuring public-private partnerships by leveraging his business\, political\, and legal expertise. \nFelix co-founded Urban Capital Network\, an investment management firm that provides retail accredited investors exclusive access to premium venture back investment opportunities at lower investment thresholds. \nFelix also serves on the board the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship\, a non-profit organization focused on educating\, empowering\, and enabling a new class of investors to build wealth and self-sustaining economic ecosystems for entrepreneurs and investors. \nRecently\, Felix was appointed as a Trustees to the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Board\, which oversees over 4 billion in employee benefits. \nFelix received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law\, his Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at New Paltz and completed an Executive Education Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. The son of Cuban immigrants\, he is fluent in Spanish. Felix is a native New Yorker and resides in Houston\, Texas. \nAnthony Williams\, Managing Director of The Black Diamond Group \nThe past 10 years\, Anthony Williams has served as the Managing Director of the Black Diamond Group.  While functioning in a dual capacity of Managing Director of equity2 (Impact investment fund) and Market President of AltCap Texas (regional CDFI) for nearly 3 years.  During this span of time\, he’s raised $5M+ in loan capital\, closed $2M+ in community-focused loans and invested $2M+ in minority-led companies and LMI community real estate projects. \nAs a strategic advisor and implementor\, he has extensive experience in providing interim leadership and raising capital for companies in various cities throughout the Midwest\, Southeast and Texas to the tune of $115M+ in capital raised and $40M+ in debt restructures. Additionally\, Williams has substantial experience in providing both tactical and strategic guidance to global corporations and small businesses. \nPrior to starting The Black Diamond Group\, Anthony was the former President/CEO of a regional National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC). In this role\, he served as catalyst for minority business development\, corporate supplier diversity partnership and community collaboration to spur economic development.   During his tenure leading the council possessed 80+ corporate members and certified over 400 MBEs annually throughout the Missouri and Kansas region that employed 34\,000+ employees and generated over $10B in annual revenue. \nLenny Saizan Jr.\, Managing Director of Urban Capital Network \nIn the early years of his career and after receiving his Electrical Engineering degree from L.S.U.\, Lenny worked as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation and controls\, and systems integration. \nAfter 10 years of working as an employee\, his interest in entrepreneurship eventually led him to launch a technology consulting firm based in New Orleans\, LA and enrolling in an MBA program to hone his business skills. Unfortunately\, the first stint in his entrepreneurial journey and MBA was short lived due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina. \nLenny suddenly found himself homeless\, jobless\, and living in a hotel room with a family of 5 and a couple of days’ worth of clothing for each. After initially evacuating to Beaumont\, TX\, he eventually landed in Houston. Determined and desperate to start rebuilding\, Lenny returned to Corporate America\, landing a job in Oil and Gas. This was the beginning of a career transition from engineering and technology to management and finance\, which prompted him to re-enroll in an MBA program. \nLenny earned his MBA from Tulane University Freeman School of Business. He spent the next 10 years working in Oil and Gas in various roles in accounting\, finance\, audit\, and operations. After experiencing several layoffs\, Lenny decided it was time to give entrepreneurship another go. \nDuring his MBA program\, he developed a strong interest in Mergers and Acquisitions\, so he decided to buy a Business Brokerage Franchise. In addition to his Managing Director role at Urban Capital Network\, Lenny is the owner of Murphy Business Brokerage – West Houston where he helps business owners exit plan\, maximize value\, and sell their businesses. He also helps buyers with the assessment and purchase of businesses. His work as a business broker led him to investment opportunities and eventually becoming the co-founder of Urban Capital Network. \nThe two businesses are highly complementary\, and Lenny enjoys the opportunity it provides to participate in all phases of the business life cycle\, from start-up to exit. More importantly\, he enjoys helping people achieve their goals and dreams\, whether it’s starting\, buying\, selling\, or investing in a business. For fun\, Lenny enjoys working out\, sports\, and spending time with family. \nGrace Chan\, Venture Principal of bp Ventures \nGrace Chan serves as a Venture Principal and the Bioenergy Lead at bp Ventures\, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing bp’s objectives in bioenergy\, one of bp’s key growth engines. \nWith a career spanning 17 years across various bp entities\, Grace has amassed extensive experience in operations\, technology\, and strategy. Her passion lies in scaling new technologies from laboratory-scale inception to their deployment in the first commercial plant\, with a particular focus on decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Her diverse industry expertise extends to geothermal energy\, carbon capture\, and electric vehicle (EV) charging. \nResiding in Houston\, Texas\, Grace balances her professional pursuits with her role as a mother to two young sons. She holds dual business degrees from Florida State University\, with a minor in French\, and is a Certified Management Accountant. Currently\, she is pursuing her MBA at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania\, further strengthening her expertise in venture capital and business strategy. \nHer contributions to the field have garnered notable recognition\, including being honored as a Global Corporate Venturing Rising Star in 2022 and named among the Women to Watch in Venture Capital in 2023.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/tech-savvy-investing-how-to-capitalize-on-the-innovation-economy/
LOCATION:Ion\, 4201 Main Street\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:All Communities,Investors & Capital,Networking,Panel Dicussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/250218-Tech-Savvy-Website-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250129T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250129T183000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20241217T223703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250128T195201Z
UID:10002683-1738171800-1738175400@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Angel Investing 101: Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\,\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\,\nWhat makes a company valuable\,\nHow companies are valued\,\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\,\nThe sales process\,\nThe deal team\,\nTaxes and insurance considerations.\n\nPresenter:\nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal.
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/angel-investing-101-buying-and-selling-businesses/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030\, 4201 Main St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1630-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240717T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240717T190000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20240627T224300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240716T205046Z
UID:10001330-1721237400-1721242800@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Buying and Selling Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an informative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and coordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are going through the process for the very first time. Business owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that they maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\, entrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases the probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a good strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. Lenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\nWhat makes a company valuable\nHow companies are valued\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\nThe sales process\nThe deal team\nTaxes and insurance considerations\n\nAbout the speaker \nLenny Saizan is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm dedicated to democratizing premium investment opportunities for a wider range of investors. In addition\, he owns and operates Murphy Business Brokerage – Southwest Houston\, where he assists business owners with exit planning\, value maximization\, and the sale of their businesses. He also supports buyers interested in business acquisitions or franchises. \nBefore establishing UCN and his business brokerage\, Lenny worked for 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation\, controls\, and systems integration. He then transitioned to the oil and gas industry\, where he spent another decade leading teams in financial and operational controls\, as well as audit. \nLenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional\, a Six Sigma Green Belt\, and a Project Management Professional. In 2023\, he was honored as an Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Houston Business Journal. \n  \n 
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/angel-investing-101-0717/
LOCATION:Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030\, 4201 Main St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,Investors & Capital,Networking,Start Here
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AngelInvesting101-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20231019T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20231019T190000
DTSTAMP:20260615T060803
CREATED:20231002T171028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231002T174626Z
UID:10000685-1697736600-1697742000@iondistrict.com
SUMMARY:Selling and Buying Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join Lenny Saizan\, Business Broker and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network\, for an\ninformative presentation on selling and buying businesses. \nEvent Description:\nThe process of selling and buying a business includes many steps and involves collaboration and\ncoordination of professionals across various disciplines. Quite often\, sellers and buyers in the market are\ngoing through the process for the very first time. \nBusiness owners typically have most of their wealth tied to their business; therefore\, it is important that\nthey maximize the value of the business and properly plan their exit strategy. For buyers\,\nentrepreneurship through business acquisition is a less risky path to business ownership that increases\nthe probability of success and generates positive cash flow on day one. Business acquisition is also a\ngood strategy for business owners to grow their existing business. \nLenny Saizan will discuss the process of selling and buying a business\, highlight challenges and mistakes to avoid\, and present the benefits of working with an intermediary. If you are a business owner\, prospective buyer\, or small business service provider\, this event will be beneficial to you. \nDuring the session\, you can expect discussion on the following: \n\nMarket overview\nWhen to prepare to sell or buy\nWhat makes a company valuable\nHow companies are valued\nOverview on how to recast financial statements\nThe sales process\nThe deal team\nTaxes and insurance considerations\n\nPresenter: \nLenny Saizan is co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network (UCN)\, an investment firm\nfocused on democratizing premium investment opportunities for a broader pool of investors. In addition\nto his role at UCN\, Lenny owns and operates Murphy Business Sales – Southwest Houston\, where he\nhelps business owners exit plan\, maximize value\, and sell their businesses. Lenny also works with buyers\ninterested in business acquisition or franchising. Prior to launching UCN and his Business Brokerage\,\nLenny worked 10 years in Oil and Gas\, leading teams in Financial and Operational Controls\, and Audit.\nLenny also worked 10 years as an Electrical Engineer\, specializing in automation and controls\, and systems integration. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from L.S.U. and his MBA\nfrom Tulane University. \n 
URL:https://iondistrict.com/event/selling-and-buying-businesses/
LOCATION:Ion – Lower Level\, 4201 Main St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Founders & Startups,General Community,Investors & Capital
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iondistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ion-open-accelerator.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR