About
Built by someone who's navigated every side of the capital access challenge
—and is still in the trenches
Our Story: Why GTB Exists
GTB Advisors was founded on a simple observation: most capital access programs don't work.
Not because entrepreneurs aren't "ready." Not because advisors don't care. But because the people designing these programs have never sat in a credit committee meeting. They've never declined a loan application. They've never explained to an entrepreneur why their "great idea" won't get funded.
Founder Gloria Ware has done all of that—and more.
After 30 years across the full capital stack—as a credit-trained lender (small business, commercial, nonprofit, higher ed), VC investor (analyst and principal roles), and foundation leader (Co-Developer and Founding Director of KeyBank Center for Technology and Inclusive Growth)—Gloria saw the same patterns over and over.
The Pattern That Needed Breaking
Foundations fund BSOs. BSOs run entrepreneur programs. Entrepreneurs complete programs. Entrepreneurs still can't access capital.
Everyone reports "success" (workshops delivered! entrepreneurs served!) while the fundamental problem—capital access—remains unsolved.
So in 2021, Gloria activated GTB Advisors with a different approach:
Work upstream.
Instead of serving entrepreneurs directly (and competing with the hundreds of BSOs already doing that), strengthen the institutions that serve entrepreneurs. Help foundations design better portfolios. Help BSOs build better programs. Create systemic change, not just individual wins.
Bring insider knowledge.
Design programs based on what lenders and investors actually look for—not what generic business books say they look for. Identify and raise awareness of alternative capital options. Teach BSO advisors to more fully understand the capital diligence process. Help foundations measure what matters: founder financial fluency and capital accessed, not just workshops attended.
Test everything first.
Gloria still runs entrepreneur programs herself to apply research findings and make new discoveries. Every framework GTB recommends to clients? Is informed by new insights coupled with three decades of experience building programs, products and relationships with BSOs and entrepreneurs. If it doesn't work in practice, it doesn't get recommended.
Today, GTB works with foundations and BSOs across the country - particularly in midsize cities and underserved markets where capital access gaps are widest.
Our mission hasn't changed: Make capital access more equitable for underserved entrepreneurs by strengthening the institutions that serve them.
Meet Gloria Ware
CEO & President
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Development of strategic plan for regional and national entrepreneurship programs
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Strategic communications
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Market research
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DEI-focused strategic planning leading to substantial grant funding for programs and venture capital deployment
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Non-profit strategic planning support
As a Strategist
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PNC Fairfax Connection: Designs and delivers entrepreneurship programming
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200+ entrepreneurs served through GTB programs and partnerships
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Strategic curation and connections to funders
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Every client recommendation piloted in live programs first
As an Active Practitioner
As a Capital Provider
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Credit-trained lender (small business, commercial, nonprofit, higher ed, public sector)
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VC investor (analyst and principal roles)
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Co-Developer & Founding Director, KeyBank Center for Technology and Inclusive Growth (4 years)
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Championed and co-created $5M Focus Fund (inclusive VC fund, launched 2015, still operating)
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Grantmaker deploying $3M+ across Ohio ecosystem
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Supported the acquisition of a $24M grant from a major foundation
As a Ecosystem Builder
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Supported the development of the City of Dayton’s IBROC
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Northeast Ohio equitable workforce funders collaborative
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Funded and supported the development of multiple Ohio BSO collaboratives
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Advisor to hundreds of entrepreneurs navigating capital access
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BSO trainer and coach across the Midwest and the Caribbean
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InBIA-certified in Entrepreneurship Center Management
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InBIA facilitator of global Entrepreneurship Center Management Certificate
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Recognitions & Speaking
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Sisters of Economic Action (2026)
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Pink and Black Honors (2024)
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White House Convening on Inclusive Entrepreneurship
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Federal Reserve Policy Summit (speaker)
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InBIA Conference, IEDC, CEO for Cities, HBCU Innovation Summit (featured speaker)
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Crain's Cleveland Women to Watch in Tech (2019)
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Game Changer Award, Diverse Women in Tech Summit (2019)
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Diversity Champion Award, Akron Urban League (2019)
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National Technical Association Nsoroma Business Award
L-to-R: Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones, Gloria Ware, and Belle Espinal, founder of Sisters of Economic Action
What Makes Gloria's Perspective Unique
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Most consultants come from one side of the table: they've been entrepreneurs, or advisors, directors, or investors. Gloria has been ALL of them—often simultaneously.
She's reviewed hundreds of loan applications as a lender. Made early-stage investment decisions as a VC. Designed grantmaking strategy and implementation on behalf of a corporate foundation. Developed and supported fundraising for entrepreneurial programming. Advised hundreds of entrepreneurs on capital readiness. And raised capital clients and for her own ventures.
This 360° perspective is what makes GTB different. We don't theorize about capital access barriers—we've experienced them from every angle.
Ready to Work Together?
Whether you're a foundation looking to redesign your portfolio or a BSO seeking to strengthen your programs, let's start with a conversation.
Meet the Team
Summer Intern of Impact
Charlie Haslett
Charlie Haslett is an Economics and Public Policy double major with a minor in Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Chicago, combining analytical and creative thinking to address how people, institutions, and narratives shape economic and political systems. Passionate about the intersection of strategy, policy, and impact—from small businesses and start-ups to broader economic development initiatives.
Summer Intern of Impact
Eugenie Kawera
Eugenie Kawera is a rising junior at Smith College pursuing a double major in Quantitative Economics and Statistical & Data Science. She is passionate about consulting, entrepreneurship, and using data to drive meaningful impact. Her interests lie at the intersection of data, equity, and innovation, and she is committed to leveraging analytical thinking and strategic problem-solving to create opportunities for underserved communities.
Summer Intern of Impact
Carol Tharwat
Carol Tharwat is a third-year student at the University of Chicago studying Economics and Public Policy. Originally from Egypt, she is interested in economic development, entrepreneurship, and how finance and policy can be used to create opportunities for growth. Her previous experiences include private equity, corporate finance, and economic research, where she worked on projects related to investment analysis, market research, and behavioral economics.