WESprint
Accelerating and Funding New Mexico Startups
Apply by April 20, 2020
Powered by the SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund
WESprint is a 5-week business accelerator designed specifically for women entrepreneurs to test the commercial potential of their innovative ideas and explore funding opportunities for SBIR/STTR funding.
What is SBIR/STTR?
For participants with an innovation or technology that may be eligible for Small Business Innovation (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding, additional support and funding will be available through Arrowhead Center’s NM FAST program.
Arrowhead Center will provide WESprint participants access to free SBIR/STTR proposal development support through our NM FAST program.
Arrowhead Center provides its sprint program participants assistance with applying for SBIR/STTR funding, through our program.
NM FAST is designed to help small businesses submit a complete and compelling SBIR/STTR package.
We will:
- Match you with the most appropriate agency and topic based on your innovation
- Help put you in contact with relevant program managers
- Provide you with tools and resources that guide you through agency requirements and proposal management
- Review and critique proposal packages before submission.
Through WESprint you will receive:
Coaching
Business Development Coaching
Expertise
Access to Business Experts
Services
Access to free professional service providers
Funding
Up to $1,500 in participant training/grants
Education
Education, training, and advising for SBIR/STTR funding
Travel Stipend
Travel stipends to attend SBIR/STTR events contingent on SBIR/STTR eligibility
Services
Assistance applying for follow-on funding
Benefits from WESprint
Program graduates have the opportunity to join Arrowhead Ventures. They will benefit from continued business and technical advising, academic and industry connections, and up to $20,000 in Amazon Web Service Credits. SBIR/STTR eligible particpants willl receive additional support and access to funding if interested in submitting a SBIR/STTR proposal. Some participants may qualify for Arrowhead Innovation Fund consideration.
Participation is free. We encourage everyone at any stage of business to apply.
Program Requirements / Outcomes
- Teams must include an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL), a Technical Lead (TL), and a Business Mentor (M). You don’t need a full team to apply, although preference is given to complete teams.
- The Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) and business must be based in New Mexico.
- Availability to attend one three-hour and four two-hour workshops virtually or in-person:
- Spring 2019 Cohort will meet Wednesdays from February 13, 2020 – June 10, 2020.
- To successfully complete WESprint, teams are expected to conduct fifteen (15) interviews with potential customers for their product or service.
- If the business has in innovation or technology that is eligible for SBIR/STTR funding, additional support is available to help put together a strong proposal package (e.g. travel stipend, micro-grants, one-on-one assistance)
Become a WESprint mentor
Have you launched a successful business or secured SBIR/STTR funds? If so, we would love to have you participate as a mentor for our WESprint accelerator participants. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Arrowhead Center at ati@nmsu.edu.
Powered by the SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund
