WRITER: Alejandro Najera-Acosta, 575-646-2025, a_najera@nmsu.edu
The Scale Up New Mexico program, funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and housed at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, is offering the Capital Raise Sprint online accelerator to tech startups in New Mexico.
Capital Raise is one of several modules under Scale Up NM, a suite of startup support programs for businesses engaged in early-stage technology development. The initiative is designed to accelerate growth, strengthen leadership teams, and connect founders with the tools and capital they need to scale.
Capital Raise is seeking entrepreneurs and startups based in New Mexico to apply by Aug. 8 for its free accelerator, which will run from Aug. 21 to Sept. 25, with weekly sessions held every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. via Zoom.
“Our sprint model encourages partnerships among entrepreneurs and stakeholders, facilitating a seamless entry into the entrepreneurship ecosystem and forming significant relationships that could lead to potential investment opportunities,” said Dana Catron, Arrowhead Center’s interim director.
Capital Raise is designed to empower New Mexico’s tech startup founders with the knowledge and skills required to successfully raise capital. The program covers key concepts including how venture capital works, what investors look for, the use of financial instruments and terms, and how to research and approach potential investors.
Additionally, each participant will have access to weekly one-on-one meetings with an Arrowhead team member to receive tailored support and feedback on their fundraising materials and investor engagement strategies.
“Throughout the sessions, founders benefit from the guidance of advisers, angel investors, and venture capitalists who assist them in understanding the fundraising landscape,” said Carlos Murguia, program manager for Scale Up NM. “We aim to help startups become game-ready for investment conversations.”
Featured advisers and mentors include accomplished entrepreneurs, seasoned investors and fundraising experts who will share insights on capital strategy, investor readiness and founder-investor fit.
To qualify for Capital Raise, startups must be based in New Mexico or have plans to move to New Mexico and should be actively preparing to raise capital or considering investment in the near future.
“I would wholeheartedly recommend this sprint to other tech startups. The amount of time and investment made by the team at the Arrowhead Center is invaluable and pays dividends for a startup's journey,” said Michael E. Hendricks, CEO at Allcanza, which provides digital immigration solutions. “The founder's time investment is so worth the return and will help to propel the startup to new heights. Unlike most accelerators, the Arrowhead Center has worked hard to provide all aspects of the Accelerator in a remote format, and they do a great job keeping everyone updated and included as if it were an in-person program.”
For additional information about the Capital Raise Sprint, contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu, or apply online at https://tinyurl.com/sprints2025.
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PHOTO CAPTION: The Scale Up New Mexico program, funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and housed at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, is offering the Capital Raise Sprint online accelerator to tech startups in New Mexico. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A row of programs with gold foil lettering on a table.