Activate New Mexico

Transforming Startups in New Mexico

Startup Retool Series

The World Has Changed, Time to Retool Your Business

During this period of adjustment to working remotely, ActivateNM powered by CNM Ingenuity is hosting an 8 session Startup Retool series for small businesses, and startups in New Mexico.

In this series, we look at local resources and platforms that can help retool small businesses and identify ways businesses can grow and engage with their customers online.

See upcoming sessions and RSVP, please visit our events calendar.

Session 1: Ideation with InBizWorks and the CABQ

Recorded July 8, 2020 (45 Minutes)

In our first Startup Retool session, we explored how the founder of InBizWorks from Taos, New Mexico has created a platform for small business centers and non-profit lenders to help their customers with business planning and early staged development. We are also joined by the City of Albuquerque Small Business Office Manager to talk about local resources for small businesses.

Watch the Recorded Video Session (Recorded 45 Minutes)

Session 2: Digital Exploration with AppCityLife and Comcast

July 15, 2020

In session two, we talk with the CEO of Albuquerque based company CityLife Lisa Abeyta about the importance of online engaged not just as your company but as a leader and the face of the organization. Also, joining is Erin Muffoletto, External Affairs Manager for Comcast New Mexico to talk about social media and resources that small businesses can leverage.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/112716096880

Session 3: Marketing in the Next Normal with Ogilvy and JTA

July 22, 2020

4 Lessons for Marketing in the Next Normal: COVID-19 and the economic fallout accelerates digital transformation for businesses of all sizes. Finding and serving customers is different. Marketers are learning how to shift their strategies and tactics while keeping closer track of the pulse of their customers and sales channels. John Bell, VP of Digital Marketing at Travelers Insurance, shares lessons learned for startups and small businesses from more than 25 years of digital marketing, including the most recent crisis. We also have local entrepreneur resource provider Job Training Albuquerque (JTA) talking about funds available for small businesses to receive technical training.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/112832838056

Session 4: Startup Storytelling w/ Fruitstand Technologies and Santa Fe resources

July 29, 2020

Storytelling is a powerful tool to help transfer knowledge and connect communities. How can entrepreneurs and small business owners tell stories through modern digital platforms? What value does storytelling have for a startup company?

In this session, we will hear from a panel of founders and entrepreneur resource providers in New Mexico. There will be virtual networking after the webinar to keep the New Mexican startup community engaged and informed. A camera and microphone will be required for the networking portion of the event.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/112832838056

Session 5:

August 5, 2020

Session 6:

August 12, 2020

Session 7:

August 19, 2020

Session 8:

August 26, 2020

If you are interested in learning more about the next ActivateNM cohort, please visit our Accelerator program page.

Join us for Activate New Mexico’s Cohort 4 Demo Day!

The ActivateNM team is pleased to announce the conclusion of its 4th accelerator cohort. From healthcare solutions to better betting through data science, this group of founders is now at the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. Join us on June 26, 2020 to celebrate and showcase their accomplishments. RSVP below:

Click Here to RSVP

Fulfilling its mission of pushing New Mexico forward as a leader in tech and business, ActivateNM chose five companies from around the state: two from Albuquerque, two from Taos, and one from Rio Rancho to join this cohort. The online-only format included three days of programming: meetings with mentors, the technical residents, and experts in a variety of fields, all committed to the success of New Mexico businesses. Additionally, the founders used the Lean Startup Methodologies, resources such as podcasts, and consistent pitch practice to shape and finetune their idea, business model, and branding.

Meet the startups that have successfully completed the accelerator program:

In Biz Works Logo

InBizWorks

inBizWorks is the online incubator that brings together community, modern business tools, and decades of small business experience for solopreneurs and accelerator programs alike.

Founder, Marko Schmitt

Visit Site
DROMO Logo

DROMO

The mobile tool for home healthcare workers that reduces compliance penalties, manages schedule changes, and maps routes to each appointment.

Founder, Ken Gustafson

Visit Site
ProPortal Logo

ProPortal

ProPortal is the web solution for law firms to leverage the power of ProLaw, helping lawyers and clients save time and effort.

Founder, Brian Stinar

Visit Site
Rerouted Logo

Rerouted

The online destination to buy, sell and donate used outdoor gear while supporting local wilderness access and education non-profits.

Founder, Chap Grubb

Visit Site
Monkey Brain Sports Logo

Monkey Brain Sports

Sports betting analysis powered by data science, with a dash of healthy internet debate for flavor.

Founder, Usaama Alnaji

Visit Site

Congratulations to our newest cohort! We look forward to your successes, and to the next group of founders; cohort 5 starts in September. If you are interested in joining the next cohort learn more at on our accelerator program page.

CNM Ingenuity Helps Local Startups Find Creative Solutions to COVID-19 Problems

Originally posted on CNM.edu
https://www.cnm.edu/news/cnm-ingenuity-helps-local-startups-find-creative-solutions-to-covid-19-problems

ActivateNM runs a cohort meeting online.

Startups are designed to problem solve, and Ingenuity is giving them the resources they need

The history of the word “entrepreneur” dates back all the way to the 1700s and one of the earliest definitions talks about a willingness “to assume the risk and to deal with uncertainty.” Never has that been more true than the present moment.

In a time when COVID-19 is rewriting all the rules, especially those surrounding businesses, entrepreneurs are finding smart ways to keep the economy going and people employed. Many of those entrepreneurs run local New Mexico startups and CNM Ingenuity is doing everything it can to support them.

“Entrepreneurs were born for this moment,” says T.J. Cook, the Executive Director of ABQid, an entrepreneurial support organization that’s part of Ingenuity. “They’re ready to find solutions to the complex problems now facing us and we want to do everything we can to help them.”

Most immediately, Ingenuity is now running a virtual learning series for startups and entrepreneurs through ActivateNM, an Ingenuity startup accelerator. So far they’ve held seminars on everything from crisis funding to product management, or the process of building and shipping software to customers. 

Next up on May 1 is a session with Dale Dekker, an active angel investor and the principal at Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, an architecture, interior design, planning, engineering, and landscape architecture firm. In that session, Dekker will address the opportunities created by COVID-19 and help startups brainstorm how they can embrace the opportunity to provide solutions. 

Concurrently, ActivateNM is also running its accelerator and finding ways to re-tool its approach in order to help the newest cohort better serve clients online. Businesses in that cohort include COHGIN Telehealth Solutions, which is creating a telemedicine platform for obstetrics, Rerouted Co-Op, which has a site that makes it easy for people to buy, sell and donate used outdoor gear, and Dromo, an app for home health resource management and compliance. 

“The businesses in this cohort are primed to operate in the current environment and we’re excited to see what they do,” says Dan Heron, the Senior Program Manager with ActivateNM. 

Finally, ABQid has also compiled several online resources for local startups. One is an evolving list of financing options for startups, and another details New Mexico startups that are offering COVID-19 resources. Additionally, ABQid sent around a comprehensive guide that startups can use to address everything from cash management (how do they stay afloat in the current environment), to communication (how do they communicate internally with employees and externally with customers). 

“We need entrepreneurs more than ever, and we believe many new startups can rise up in New Mexico with solutions for these unprecedented times,” T.J. says.

Startups, Stay Engaged!

Stay Safe, Stay Home, Stay Engaged!

During this period of adjustment to working and learning remotely, ActivateNM powered by CNM Ingenuity hosted a several virtual learning series for startups and entrepreneurs in New Mexico. Below are a collection of previous sessions.

Changing for the Future Series

The Accelerated Future of Work and Training
Recorded June 19, 2020 (1 Hour)

In our final Stay Engaged session, we explored how New Mexico can retool and prepare for the future of work with technology, education, and investment with CNM Community College and Coronado Venture Forum.

Recorded Video Session

Alternative Biz Models for New Mexican Companies
Recorded June 12, 2020 (1 Hour)

In this session NM EDD, Santa Fe Innovates, Cooperative Catalyst of NM, and ActivateNM for a collaborative session about restructuring our companies and leveraging resources available.

Recorded Video Session
Transcript of the Chat Room

Active Investing with Kickstart Seed Fund
Recorded Jun 5, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, we speak with investors from Kickstart Seed Fund to talk about investing during the pandemic.

Recorded Video Session

Future of NM Tech Startups
Recorded May 1, 2020 (1 hour)

COVID-19 is a once-a-century event, and thus hugely disruptive to numerous industries. In this session, Dale Dekker, principal at Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, as well as active angel investor, will discuss the technology disruption and opportunities resulting from the pandemic and how NM startups specifically can embrace the opportunity to provide the solutions we need in the future. He’ll share specific examples and recent conversations with experts from around the state. Don’t miss this insightful session that will spur your thinking to embrace the best opportunities on your entrepreneurial journey.

Recorded Video Session
Referenced Article

Startup Real Talk Series

Startup Real Talk with HeroWear
Recorded May 29, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, we speak with mentor Mark Harris of HeroWear about the assumptions of entrepreneurship.

Recorded Video Session
Transcript of the Chat Room

Startup Real Talk with Ganymede Games
Recorded May 22, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, we speak with Las Cruces based startup Ganymede Games to talk about the real deal challenges they are facing with COVID-19 pandemic.

Recorded Video Session

Startup Real Talk with AdWallet and Electric Playhouse
Recorded May 15, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, we speak with local startups AdWallet and Electric Playhouse to talk about the real deal challenges they are facing with COVID-19 pandemic.

Recorded Video Session

Skills You Need to Survive

Unit Economics for companies in the age of COVID
Recorded May 8, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, mentors David King and Entrepreneur Zach Spangler give an explanation of Unit Economics as a concept and participants go through a worksheet

Recorded Video Session
Download Slidedeck
Download Handout

Risk Management
Recorded April 24, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, mentor Rick Shor from Microsoft gives an explanation of planning for risk management.

Recorded Video Session

Active Listening
Record April 17, 2020 (1 hour)

In this session, mentor Jennie Grau explains what is Active Listening and how we can apply it to our startups and teams.

Video Session Recorded

Crisis Funding Series

Our second learning series was on funding strategies for startups during the pandemic with Mentor TJ Cook.

Session 1: Impromptu Meeting with TJ Cook about Funding Options for New Mexican Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Recorded April 1, 2020 (45 mins)
In this session, Mentor TJ Cook shares resources for local startups to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recorded Video Session

Session 2: Startup Funding & Strategy Options during COVID-19
Recorded April 10, 2020 (1.5 hours)
In this session, TJ Cook and guests talk about some of the following:

  • Analysis of federal, state, and CABQ funding options
  • The state of angel and venture capital for startups during/post COVID-19
  • Discussion on how to manage & pivot during COVID-19
  • Discussion of potential opportunities post-COVID-19

Video Session Recording

COVID Financing Options for ALBUQUERQUE Startups

New Mexico Startups offering COVID-19 tools & resources

Startup Focus Area Checklist during COVID-19

Product Management Series

Our first learning series was on Product Management with Mentor Mark Berman. It was a three-part series about startup product management.

Session 1: The Importance of Product Management for Startups
Recorded on March 25, 2020 (1 hour)
In this session, Mark walks us through the day in the life of a product manager.

Recorded Video Session

Session 2: A Deeper Dive into the Product Lifecycle
Recorded on March 27, 2020 (1.5 hours)
In this session, Mark takes a deeper dive into real-life examples of product management.

Recorded Video Session

Session 3: Ask Us Anything: Your Questions on Product Management
Recorded April 3, 2020 (1 hour)
In this session, Mark takes questions from local startups and answers them.

Recorded Video Session

About ActivateNM

Activate New Mexico (ActivateNM) helps tech founders build valuable businesses that are going to disrupt a particular market through big visions and innovative, transformative ideas. We love New Mexico, and we believe entrepreneur-led economic development creates opportunities that lead to prosperity. We are committed to nurturing New Mexico’s entrepreneurial community and thus, promoting prosperity in our state. Learn more about us on our About Us page.

What happens when an accelerator and incubator collide?

The program puts a ton of business value into the hands of entrepreneurs who stand to benefit the most. We’re eliminating the question of accelerator vs incubator for these founders and instead providing operational support so that they can stay focused on the essential questions: Who is my customer? What is my product and business model? How can I get to market efficiently and sustainably?

Read Original Article

ABQid biz accelerator wins $295K EDA grant

“It will boost our efforts to continue building the accelerator and create a more robust pipeline of startup deal flow,” said Kyle Lee, executive director for CNM Ingenuity, a nonprofit that manages all of the college’s commercial activities. “It will also help expand our seed fund by getting the word out to more folks about our efforts to raise money to invest in companies.”

Read Original Article

ABQid accelerator merges with CNM Ingenuity

Perhaps most important, the merger strengthens both entities’ ability to provide educational services and resources to support local entrepreneurs and economic development, said CNM President Kathie Winograd.

“ABQid is a successful, established and respected brand in our community that has been a key player in advancing the resurgent entrepreneurial movement in the Albuquerque area,” Winograd said in a prepared statement. “We can’t wait to help build on that momentum by providing ABQid with the substantial support, expertise and resources that exists within CNM ingenuity.”

Read Original Article

ABQid, WESST announce first ActivateNM cohort

“We help the entrepreneurs understand the language of business, financing, working with numbers and building capacity,” said Julianna Silva, managing director of the WESST incubator. “The combination of ABQid’s lean startup methodology with our capacity training provides a robust wrap-around system for companies as they explore business opportunities.”

Read Original Article

In an effort to take all reasonable precautions regarding COVID-19, we are following the CNM response, which can be found at: cnm.edu/covid-19. For those who partner directly with CNMI and have questions not answered by CNM, please see the CNMI Resource Page. Both can be found here. CNMI Resource Page.
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