This year marks the 10th anniversary of Innovate New Mexico, a landmark collaboration of major research institutions across the state that promotes and annually reasserts the state’s commitment to collaboration in support of innovation that benefits all New Mexicans.

Innovate New Mexico brings together the state’s three leading research universities – New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, and the University of New Mexico – with its three research laboratories: the Air Force Research Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Labs. They come together annually for a Showcase that highlights new inventions and innovations resulting from those collaborations, but the Showcase plays a fundamentally broader and more catalytic role: it confirms; it connects, and it catalyzes.

Over the past 10 years, Innovate New Mexico has achieved the following, among many other accomplishments:

Showcased 135 innovations from across the region spanning a range of technology areas including biosciences, energy, space and materials, accelerating commercialization across multiple sectors;
Consistently attracted investors locally and nationally such as Sun Mountain Capital, the New Mexico Angels, Osage University Partners, Crosslink Capital, Tramway Venture Partners, Cerracap Ventures, and others, creating meaningful pathways for commercialization and capital formation;
Highlighted and exhibited more than 145 start-up companies creating new opportunities and strategic partnerships.

See Albuquerque Business First article, “Tech event brings together top statewide researchers for 10th year”.

UNM Rainforest Innovations Hosts Route 66 Centennial Seminar Series

On February 5, UNM Rainforest Innovations hosted the inaugural seminar in a three-part series honoring the Route 66 Centennial. Titled Creative People, Creative Places, Creative Technologies on the Mother Road, the event brought together a multidisciplinary panel to explore the intersection of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).

This series aims to build connections and bridges across New Mexico’s creative ecosystem, engaging technologists and artist whose collaborative work drives entrepreneurial and economic development for the state. Read more

Watch the recording

Creative People, Places and Technologies on the Mother Road

March 5 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

At the Lobo Rainforest Bldg.

Join us for the next seminar series, in honor of the Route 66 Centennial, focusing on creative people and places at the University of New Mexico.

Panelists include:

Shani Harvie, Director, Creative Industries, New Mexico Economic Development Department
Stephen Mora, Artist, Fabricator, Architect
Sharina Palencia Desai, PhD, AIM Core Technical Director, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Health Sciences Center, The University of New Mexico

State accepting applications for New Mexico Advanced Energy Awards

The New Mexico Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for its third Advanced Energy Award grant cycle, offering up to $1 million in grants to selected companies working on research and development or pilot demonstrations in the advanced energy sector.

Applications are due March 17, 2026, at 5 PM MDT.

The Advanced Energy Award will have two award classes:

Research and Development: supports companies engaged in foundational R&D, proof-of-concept, and product development, aiming to translate scientific and technical advancements into tangible, market-ready solutions. Only companies headquartered in New Mexico are eligible for this award class.
Pilot Projects: supports the transition of research into practical, market-ready solutions. Ideal for projects ready to prove their viability, gather critical data, and showcase their impact through pilot demonstrations or initial deployments. Companies headquartered in or outside New Mexico are eligible; out-of-state companies must be authorized to do business in New Mexico, establish and maintain an in-state presence and use awarded funds to support New Mexico activities.

For more information on grant guidelines and links to apply, visit edd.newmexico.gov/tio/nmaea

In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor

Xiang Xue, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Member, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center

The University of New Mexico

Dr. Xue's research areas include:

Studying how metals like iron and manganese affect inflammation and cancer progression
Exploring how environmental exposures, such as cadmium and microplastics, impact colon health
Developing new therapies that target ferroptosis to fight cancer
Creating nanoparticle systems to deliver drugs directly to macrophage and tumors

Rainforest Student Pitch Competition Accepting Applications

Do you have an innovative idea for a product, service, or technology?

The Rainforest Pitch Competition provides an opportunity for students of all majors and from any New Mexico university to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas for a chance to win from a pool of over $10,000 in cash prizes!

Learn more

The Creative Process and Copyright

April 2 | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Lobo Rainforest Building and Online via Zoom

The creative process can produce a wide range of very different expressions: text, drawings, photos, film and sound recordings, software, choreography, and architectural renderings. An important but often overlooked result of the process is that copyright protection for all such expressions is provided under federal law automatically, free of charge, and without the need for any government filing, or the engagement of lawyers. Something for free, finally!

Charles Valauskas, partner of a Chicago-based law firm, Valauskas Haukaas LLC, will present on copyright rights, along with licensing of creative works and the impact of artificial intelligence.

Indigenous Entrepreneurs Podcast

The Indigenous Entrepreneurs podcast aims to tell the story of the Entrepreneur’s Journey, specifically that of the indigenous entrepreneur, through candid conversations featuring successful indigenous entrepreneurs.

From UNM Student to High-tech Startup Entrepreneur, Interview with Mariano Fernandez

Mariano Fernandez is a business developer and entrepreneur working at the edge of emerging technology, economic development, and systems thinking. His work focuses on turning complex ideas like fusion energy, space computing, and advanced R&D; into real-world impact. With an MBA from the University of New Mexico and roots in San Felipe Pueblo, Mariano brings a grounded, future-focused perspective to innovation. He’s driven by the commitment to help New Mexico become a place where cutting-edge technologies are not just invented, but purpose built, deployed, and scaled. Creating durable & lasting economic pathways for the people rooted here.

Native American Business Roundtable - City of Santa Fe Economic Development

UNM Rainforest Innovations is collaborating with the City of Santa Fe Economic Development Department to bring this roundtable event to Santa Fe for Native American owned-businesses and entrepreneurs.

These monthly gatherings create space for Native American entrepreneurs, artists, and business owners to connect, share resources, and build pathways to success.

The next Roundtable event will be on March 26 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe Business Incubator (3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe, NM 87507).

SCORE Mentors Available for One-on-One Meetings

Meet with SCORE mentors at the Lobo Rainforest Building or on Zoom! Mentors are available 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.

Interested? Contact Cara Michaliszyn at cmichaliszyn@innovations.unm.edu to arrange.

UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website

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