UAF grant to help Alaska’s underserved business owners
The SBIR catalyst award partnership includes UAF, University of Idaho, Montana State University, and New Mexico State University.
Nov. 3, 2021
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is among four universities that will receive a $150,000 federal grant to help minority business owners access funding for research and development.
The “Mesas to Mountains” program is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Innovation Research Catalyst program. The initiative addresses current gaps in access to the innovation economy for communities of color, women entrepreneurs and rural communities.
UAF’s Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (Center ICE) 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’ home states. The effort will begin in spring 2022.
In Alaska, less than 12% of small business owners are women and minority owned businesses. Through the “Mesas to Mountains” 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.