WRITER: Alejandro Najera-Acosta, 575-646-2025, a_najera@nmsu.edu
The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center is now accepting applications for its online GenAI Fundraising Excellence Sprint accelerator, designed for tech startups based in New Mexico and the Borderplex region.
The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship is committed to strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by empowering communities to engage in entrepreneurship, improving access to early-stage investment opportunities, and inspiring students to develop innovative products and services for the commercial market.
The accelerator equips founders with generative AI tools to streamline the capital raising process: automating investor research, personalizing outreach, and creating AI-powered pitch materials. Running every Thursday from Oct. 9 to Nov. 13, the program is free for participants. Applications must be submitted by September 26, with selected participants notified by Sept. 30.
“The GenAI Fundraising Excellence Sprint provides a clear framework for entrepreneurs to use AI to tell stronger stories, automate workflows, and confidently prepare for investor engagement,” said Dana Catron, interim director and CEO of Arrowhead Center. “This sprint is ideal for startup teams preparing for fundraising or seeking to improve their capital strategy.”
Throughout the six-week program, participants will attend structured weekly sessions focused on practical applications of generative AI to pitch development, data storytelling, and meeting preparation. The sprint provides tools and insights to help founders build investor-ready narratives and streamline the fundraising journey.
Sessions will include presentations, discussions, breakout activities, personalized mentoring, and real-time feedback. Participants will learn to develop tailored outreach plans, create AI-generated pitch decks, and prepare for investor meetings with confidence and clarity.
“Our goal is to simplify and optimize the fundraising process using AI in a way that’s actionable and highly relevant to founders,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship. “We provide hands-on guidance to help startups build efficient, data-supported fundraising workflows.”
The sprint’s mentorship-driven approach connects participants with seasoned founders, funders and AI experts, ensuring access to valuable feedback and industry-specific insight.
To qualify for the GenAI Fundraising Excellence Sprint, startups must be based in New Mexico or the Borderplex region or have plans to relocate to these areas. Founders must commit to attending weekly sessions and demonstrate active involvement in tech-based entrepreneurship.
For additional information about the GenAI Fundraising Excellence Sprint, contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu, or apply online at https://tinyurl.com/GenAISprints.
For more information about the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/hunt-center-for-entrepreneurship.
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PHOTO CAPTION: The Hunt Center at NMSU’s Arrowhead Center is now accepting applications for the online GenAI Fundraising Excellence Sprint for tech startups in New Mexico and the Borderplex region. (NMSU photo)
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