The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announced it will host its 45th Annual Small Business Forum (the “Forum”) on March 9, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET at the SEC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The Forum, organized by the SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, brings together members of the public and private sectors to discuss and provide suggestions to improve policy affecting how small businesses and smaller public companies raise capital.  The Forum will include appearances by SEC Commissioners and discussions with various thought leaders ranging from early- to late-stage private companies and smaller public companies and will include the following sessions:

  • Funding for Founders: Empowering Early-Stage Entrepreneurs;
  • Investing in Innovation: Supporting Growth Stage Companies;
  • Public Company Perspectives: Considerations for IPOs and Small Caps; and
  • Open Mic: Audience Opportunity to Discuss Policy Recommendations.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins noted that “the annual Small Business Forum is a unique opportunity for innovators, investors, advisors, and policymakers to come together and help identify challenges in capital raising,” encouraging members of the public to “share ideas and have their voices heard on ways to improve capital formation.”

The Forum takes place against a backdrop of significant developments in small business capital formation policy.  Chairman Atkins has emphasized a “renewed focus on supporting innovation, capital formation, market efficiency, and investor protection,” with particular attention to deregulatory rule proposals to reduce compliance burdens and facilitate capital formation.

The Forum presents an opportunity for the public to suggest capital formation related policy recommendations that will be delivered to Congress. Participants – whether attending in-person or online – may submit policy recommendations in advance by emailing smallbusiness@sec.gov by 12:00 p.m. ET on March 5, 2026.  Registration information and the full agenda are available here. The Forum is open for public in-person attendance and is also available via webcast.