Building a Rainforest in the Desert | March 2024

The Profiles in Diversity Journal has recognized David Gibson, Deputy Laboratories Director and Chief Operating Officer of Sandia National Laboratories, with a Black Leadership award for his outstanding advocacy, perseverance, and leadership. David has served as a valuable member on the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors since 2018.

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TS-Nano has been awarded a $1.14 million SBIR grant from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The award will help the company further develop their breakthrough polymer technology for long-term repair and remediation of CO2 wellbores.

“We are excited to take the lead nationally in developing innovative technology aimed at sealing high-value wells, a pivotal step in driving the energy transition forward. As a climate and energy technology company, TS-Nano is dedicated to reducing methane and CO2 emissions from operating, abandoned, and orphaned wellbores by utilizing our patented sealants and monitoring technologies. Additionally, we are actively involved in creating carbon offsets in alignment with the decarbonization movement.” – TS-Nano via LinkedIn.

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The New Mexico Research University Team Pitch Award Pilot Program is a competitive state-funded grant that awards non-dilutive grant funds between $100,000 and $200,000, as well as entrepreneurship assistance, to science and technology commercialization proposals from faculty/student teams at New Mexico universities.

Eligible proposals will be those with potential and intention to result in the formation of a New Mexico-based science or technology company with a near-term plan to bring a unique product or service to market.

Proposals in science and technology commercialization with teams comprised of at least one faculty member and one student from New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, or the University of New Mexico are eligible.

The New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program welcomes new tribal liaison, Joseph Toledo.

Joseph is a part of the Jemez Pueblo and is an entrepreneur at heart. He is the Owner of Smash N Crispy Burgers, President of Native Harvest Events, Inc., and the Project Manager for Smart Tribe Technologies. Born and raised Redondo Beach, a coastal city in Los Angeles County, his family was relocated there by the Indian Relocation Act back in the 60s. He grew up visiting Jemez Pueblo to participate in cultural events and dances and was very active in football, wrestling, baseball, and track.

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Bison Star Naturals, based in El Prado, has been making organic, natural, and locally sourced soaps, lotions, and lip balms since 2018. They recently landed a big deal with the Taos Ski Valley to provide all in-room amenities for lodgers.

Owners Angelo and Jacquelene McHorse both previously served as Tribal Liaisons as part of UNM Rainforest Innovations’ New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program.

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Ready to bring your business ideas to life? Submit a 90-second video pitch of your idea for your chance to win up to $1,000. The top 10 student finalists will pitch live at Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. for a chance at a piece of the $5,000 prize pool.

Deadline to submit your video is March 26!

Learn more and join the competition

Do you need some advice with marketing or help telling your business story?

Attend one-on-one mentoring with marketing professional, Chaz Rose. During this 30-minute session, you can talk with Chaz about some of your marketing pain points and receive advice on how to improve your marketing and tell your business story!

Chaz Rose is the founder of Towa Marketing Consultants. He graduated from Missouri State in 2016 with a degree in Marketing & Advertising. He works with business owners to develop custom marketing strategies for their business. These strategies relieve business pains, provide measurable advertising results, and increase business owners' bottom line. Sign up today to receive help with creating your 2024 marketing strategy.

This is a HYBRID event offered in-person at the Lobo Rainforest Building and virtually via Zoom.

Meet with Vic Berniklau, SCORE mentor! He will be available at the Lobo Rainforest Building for one-on-one, confidential discussions and mentoring to inventors, students, and start-up companies.

SCORE mentors 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.

Vic Berniklau is retired from the US Department of Energy as Senior Executive after filling positions in Technical and Administrative Leadership. Started two small businesses in electronic security with wife and son growing them to 30 employees ($2M sales) and turned them over to son who continues to grow them. Consultant in technology management and business management. Instructor at University of New Mexico at Graduate Level in Public Administration (Research Methodology) and Business Administration (Management of Technology).

Areas of Expertise

• Accounting & Finance
• Business Plan
• Government Regulations
• Management & Operations
• Product Development
• Technology

IN-PERSON at the Lobo Rainforest Building. Click "Sign up here" to select the time frame you plan to attend.