Stefania Aulicino Founder and President Capital Link, Inc. (312) 951-6777 ext 11 Contact Stefania via email.

Stefania Aulicino is The Entrepreneur's Advocate.  Stefania discovered the challenges of financing a growth company first hand when she began her career as an entrepreneur. She then devoted herself to learning the business of finance from the inside out.  After 15 years on Wall Street as both a commercial and investment banker, Stefania founded Capital Link in 1988, building upon her experience as Vice President of Corporate Lending at Citicorp, Vice President and head of the Credit Department at Chemical Bank and Vice President of Corporate Finance at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. She uses her “insider” knowledge to be the entrepreneur’s advocate.

Stefania guides Capital Link in its unique position to fill the void that exists between a Business Visionary and the funding community. As an entrepreneur herself, she has designed the innovative educational approach that distinguishes Capital Link in the industry. As the inventor of the "Growth Catalyst System"TM , Stefania blends her own entrepreneurial experience with the experience and network she acquired on Wall Street. As a result, Capital Link client companies are effectively positioned to achieve and finance their full growth and profit potential. Stefania leverages her working relationships with over 600 institutional and private investors established over her 30 years of building value for growing businesses. In addition, she developed the Brain Trust NetworkTM that provides access to proven professionals seeking growing companies in need of talent. Brain Trust NetworkTM managers are motivated to take below market salaries in exchange for the opportunity to share in the value they help create (not a company's current value). Capital Link's integration of educational tools with business, capital and human resources creates innovative and stunning results.

Nationally recognized as an expert in growth and funding strategies for privately-held owner-managed companies, Stefania has addressed such diverse forums as The Inc. 500 Conference, The Council of Growing Companies Annual Conference, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization, Young Presidents' Organization, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She is a frequently quoted source in the business press including Inc. Magazine, University of Chicago Press, The Boston Globe, Crain's, Winning Strategies and The Financial Times of London. Stefania is featured in Inc. Magazine's video entitled "Raising Capital: How to Finance Your Business" sharing her unique educational approach. Stefania created, and for 13 years directed, a program on entrepreneurial development at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, where she had received her MBA in 1979.

Capital Link is neither a venture capital firm, an investment bank, nor a recruiting firm. Yet it does raise capital, map out corporate growth goals, and/or introduce critical talent depending on your company's desires. Unlike a venture capital firm, Capital Link is not limited to just one capital source - it offers "one stop shopping" for hundreds of investment funds; unlike an investment bank, Capital Link does not accept the market price - it helps you increase your valuation; unlike an executive search firm, Capital Link does not just find managers you might be looking for - it locates talent you didn't even know was available to help you implement your growth strategy.

Stefania is also an active community player. She is a director of the Board of Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels (HI-AYH) and chair of both its Fund Raising and Programs committees. In November 2000, HI-AYH opened the 4th largest Hostel facility on the planet in down-town Chicago, a $14 million project, designed to promote the organization's mission of world peace through direct and personal experience between world travelers and the local community. Stefania is also a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Chicago Architecture Foundation (past Chair of the Silent Auction Fund Raiser for its annual Gala) and an active supporter of Planned Parenthood. Stefania and her husband are sail boat enthusiasts who race Rhodes 19's, are active Ballroom dancers (including the Argentine Tango), enjoy Yoga and travel as often as possible. (links to the above mentioned sites are on our links page)