UAF grant to help AV狼论坛鈥檚 underserved business owners

Mountains to Mesas Catalyst map
SBIR Catalyst Partnership
The SBIR catalyst award partnership includes UAF, University of Idaho, Montana State University, and New Mexico State University.

Nov. 3, 2021

AV狼论坛 is among four universities that will receive a $150,000 federal grant to help minority business owners access funding for research and development.

The 鈥淢esas to Mountains鈥 program is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration鈥檚 . The initiative addresses current gaps in access to the innovation economy for communities of color, women entrepreneurs and rural communities.

UAF鈥檚 Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship () is collaborating with the University of Idaho, the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University, and TechLink at Montana State University to assist small businesses in those universities鈥 home states. The effort will begin in spring 2022.

In AV狼论坛, less than 12% of small business owners are women and minority owned businesses. Through the 鈥淢esas to Mountains鈥 program, Center ICE will help those underserved populations by offering mentorship, training, and guidance to submit successful grant proposals.

The program will provide funds to help minority business owners access federal funding for research and development, helping them start or grow their business and increase their probability of success and revenue.

For more information, contact project manager Evelyn Jacome at edjacome@alaska.edu.