Several national organizations and retailers are celebrating Black History Month by offering new grants or highlighting existing grants available to Black entrepreneurs. Eligibility in most of these programs is also open to Indigenous and Female entrepreneurs. Most of the grants award credit for services rather than cash, and applicants compete against similar businesses nationwide.
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Search for Patents
A patent search tool launched by the United States Patent Trademark Office provides remote full-text searching of all U.S. patents and published patent applications. Entrepreneurs can use the search tool to find out about patents and patent applications that are similar to their idea or invention.
Continue readingAn Entrepreneurial Playground
Entrepreneurs are fond of saying that starting their business was the most fun they’ve ever had and the hardest thing they’ve ever done. Several events in the coming weeks aim to offer some fun as they provide the resources, support, and entrepreneurial networks that offer startup business owners a solid foundation.
Continue readingSki and Learn About Funding Your Startup
CNM Ingenuity is hosting its popular Ski Lift Pitch at Taos Ski Valley on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Startups have already been selected to pitch, but entrepreneurs can learn what venture capitalists look for in a fundable start-up by attending the event. You don’t have to ski to participate, but why not have some fun while you learn?
Continue readingGet Marketing Help from NM True
Businesses in the tourism sector can get financial assistance for advertising by participating in the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Cooperative Advertising program. Applications to participate in the fiscal year 2023 will be accepted March 1 through April 8, 2022, but applicants are required to complete the Partner Priorities & Situation Assessment Survey by February 7 to be eligible for funding.
Continue readingMore Social Media!
The business development organization WESST is offering a workshop to help business owners create an impactful social media campaign. The free one-hour workshop takes place online on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Spend your lunch with WESST and learn how to create efficiency in your social media marketing.
Continue readingSocial Media – Made Manageable
Creative Startups, known for its business accelerator programs, is offering a series of workshops designed for businesses in the outdoor recreation and experience industries. The series will focus on social media and will enable business owners to build or improve online sales and marketing.
Continue readingThree EDD Programs to Investigate
The New Mexico Economic Development Department is offering Science and Technology Business Start-Up Grants to eligible for-profit science and technology companies with fewer than 50 employees.
Continue readingSBA 504 Loans Offer Low Interest Rates
Kelley and Steve Cherry were so pleased with the experience of securing a loan to buy one commercial building in Red River that they want to buy another building the same way.
The couple worked with Century Bank to obtain a U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan to purchase the building they previously leased for their 3-year-old ice cream and sweets shop, L’il Willie’s Shenanigans. They hope to use the same strategy to buy the building from which they’ve operated Shotgun Willie’s Café for the past decade.
The appeal of 504 loans is that interest rates are fixed at a significantly lower rate than traditional banks offer for commercial real estate loans, and borrowers get lots of help from lenders and the certified development companies that evaluate 504 loan packages for the SBA. The nonprofit Enchantment Land Certified Development Company played that role for the Cherrys.
Continue readingApply Now for Leveraged Project Assistance
Applications are now being accepted by the New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program, which provides New Mexico small businesses facing technical challenges access to the unique expertise and capabilities of Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. At no cost to the business, small businesses can seek assistance from lab scientists and engineers to solve challenges and overcome barriers to company success.
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