Monthly news, events & updates |
Building a Rainforest in the Desert | August 2021 |
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Local Startup Ecosystem Remains Vibrant Post-Pandemic |
As New Mexico continues to recover from the turbulent economic environment brought on by the pandemic, our local startup ecosystem remains strong and vibrant. Armed with an extensive statewide network of support programs, resources and capital in place, local startups have successfully weathered the storm and are emerging from the pandemic confidently.
The bustling startup ecosystem we know today has significantly grown over the past two decades due to the collaborative efforts between state agencies, local universities and business community. One proponent of Albuquerque’s ecosystem is InnovateABQ, an initiative from the University of New Mexico to develop a bustling innovation district in downtown Albuquerque.
Now that the state is emerging from the pandemic, startups are eager to operate in-person and begin networking again. While the pandemic created many obstacles, it also revealed new ways in which businesses can operate and connect. The startup community has a bright future ahead and is armed with the support, resources and experience to drive our innovation ecosystem forward.
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UNM Startup Receives Series-B Investment from Hyundai Motor |
Pajarito Powder, LLC is a world leader in the development and commercialization of advanced electrocatalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers. Pajarito Powder manufactures a range of catalyst products using its own intellectual property as well as intellectual property licensed from the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique.
Pajarito Powder has received a Series-B investment from Hyundai Motor Company. The investment is intended to allow Hyundai Motor to expand its portfolio in the value chain of the hydrogen industry and strengthen the establishment of the hydrogen ecosystem.
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In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor |
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Kathryn Frietze, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
UNM Clinical and Translational Science Center
The University of New Mexico
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Dr. Kathryn Frietze's research areas include investigating the specificity of antibody responses to infectious diseases, developing vaccines against infectious diseases, and developing vaccines against drugs of abuse (including oxycodone, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine) to treat Opioid Use Disorder
and prevent overdose.
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Student Interns @ UNM Rainforest Innovations |
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Matthew Salcido
Innovation Student Intern
Our featured student intern this month is Matthew Salcido, who joined UNM Rainforest Innovations in March 2021. He works as an innovation intern and said, “I complete many tasks that aid in the tech transfer process such as novelty searches, writing marketing materials, creating mailing campaigns, and working with startups… I first heard about the Innovation Internship from my advisor. About six months later I applied and was lucky enough to get the job.”
Matthew grew up in Albuquerque and went to Albuquerque Academy before going to UNM. He plans to graduate in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and wants to try out a variety of career paths before making any major decisions. For future career paths he said, “I’m considering engineering, journalism, graduate school, teaching and statistical analysis.” When he isn’t busy with school or work, he also enjoys basketball, playing guitar, reading and watching movies.
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Matthew is working on a microprocessor lab for a class at UNM |
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Lobo Rainforest I-Corps Site at UNM
Accepting Applications for Fall 2021 Cohort
Receive Entrepreneurial Training, Mentoring & $3,000!
Do you have an idea for a technology? Explore the transition of your technology to the marketplace through this entrepreneurial training program to help determine if your technology is ready for the market. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this program’s purpose is to teach UNM faculty and students to identify market or product opportunities that can emerge from academic research or student ideas.
Program Details:
The online program will run on Mondays, 4:30 - 6:00p.m. from October 4, 2021 – December 13, 2021 online via Zoom meetings.
Deadline to apply to the Fall 2021 I-Corps program is September 26, 2021
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Valuation and Term Sheets
NM Rainforest Webinar
August 12 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. (MDT)
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Join us for this webinar with John Chavez where you will learn about the important topic of valuation and term-sheets for your start-up.
The New Mexico Rainforest University Center provides entrepreneurial training and technical assistance at the University of New Mexico main and branch campuses. The seminars are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
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Attend Upcoming Open Office Hours
Providing Mentoring for Your Startup/Idea
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Mr. Stacy Sacco teaches entrepreneurial studies at the Anderson School of Management, serves as the Director of the UNM Small Business Institute and is President of Sacco Connections, a management consulting firm.
Mr. Sacco will be available for one-on-one mentoring where he will give guidance, coaching and perspective to enhance entrepreneurship and provide connections to resources at UNM and in the community. There are many resources available to those who have ideas that they may want to turn into a business!
Upcoming Rainforest Mentoring Office Hours:
August 20, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
Stacy Sacco will be available either IN-PERSON at the Lobo Rainforest Building or VIRTUALLY via Zoom based on your personal preference. Click Sign Up below to select the time frame you plan to attend.
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SCORE mentors will be available for one-on-one, confidential discussions and mentoring to inventors, students, and start-up companies.
SCORE's mentors (https://albuquerque.score.org/) are successful business people and entrepreneurs who want to give back to the community by helping other entrepreneurs become and stay successful. SCORE has been helping small businesses start and grow in the Albuquerque area for over 50 years through mentoring and workshops and seminars. SCORE is the largest National resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with about 11,000 SCORE volunteers sharing their time and talents to help America's small businesses.
In Person at the Lobo Rainforest Building
August 27, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
In accordance with UNM policy, please wear a mask. Walk-ins are welcome, or click Sign Up below to select the time frame you plan to stop by.
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How to Grow & Promote Your Business Using YouTube
NM Rainforest Webinar
Presented by Julianna Martinez-Barbee
August 26 | 10-11 a.m. (MDT) | Online via Zoom
Join us for this special YouTube Video Promotional Training where you will learn how to use YouTube videos as a tool to help grow and promote your small business.
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Create.Sell.Bank! Community Online Course
Start or Expand your Business
Learn valuable e-commerce techniques including developing storefronts and online presence.
The University of New Mexico's Innovation Academy and UNM Rainforest Innovations are offering a special course to help New Mexico businesses at this critical time for our state's economic recovery. This free course is made possible through a grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.
The 7-week course runs from August 23 - October 15, 2021. The course content is completed on your own time. No set course time.
Open to anyone in the community and available completely online.
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UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website
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