The New Mexico Economic Development Department has awarded $2.5 million in grants to five organizations to expand services and programming that help entrepreneurs develop and commercialize new technologies.
The Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support grants funds organizations across the state that provide programs and services that support innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, within the Technology and Innovation Office’s priority sectors: advanced computing, advanced energy, aerospace and defense systems, and bioscience.
“These grants help turn New Mexico’s research strengths into real economic opportunity,” said EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “By expanding the resources available to the technology sectors of the future, we’re creating the conditions for innovative companies to launch and thrive here at home.”
“Our 2025 Science & Technology Roadmap highlighted the importance of investing in the organizations that guide entrepreneurs from idea to market,” said Nora Meyers Sackett, director of the Technology and Innovation Office. “This funding is an important step toward building a more connected and resilient innovation ecosystem across the state.”
The five companies receiving Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support grants are:
Arrowhead Center $450,000
Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University advances innovation-driven economic growth by helping New Mexico entrepreneurs translate ideas into scalable, high-impact businesses. Through its NM Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) Program, Arrowhead provides structured training, expert guidance and hands-on assistance with proposal development to small businesses pursuing competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal research funding, at no cost to participants. This support strengthens the quality of applications, increases federal awards to New Mexico companies and accelerates commercialization statewide.
HealthInno $844,000
HealthInno is launching New Mexico’s first-of-its-kind Innovation Network for healthcare, uniting healthcare organizations, startups, researchers, funders and public-sector leaders to translate breakthrough ideas into real-world solutions that strengthen healthcare statewide. With this support, HealthInno will provide hands-on assistance to evaluate and pilot advanced computing and digital health technologies, driving commercialization and long-term economic growth across the state.
New Mexico Startup Alliance $424,000
The New Mexico Startup Alliance, a statewide organization focused on strengthening the state’s innovation economy, has launched the Board Builder Bootcamp to help founders build stronger governance and leadership capacity. Delivered in partnership with The Fourth Effect, a board governance platform and advisory marketplace for building intentional, effective boards for startups, the program provides practical training, curated advisor connections and hands-on support from local Board Members-in-Residence. This initiative helps founders turn boards into strategic growth engines and helps startups become more fundable, scalable and resilient as they grow
NewSpace Nexus $457,000
NewSpace Nexus launched the NewSpace Ignitor program to help New Mexico entrepreneurs access the infrastructure, expertise and partnerships needed to grow space-related companies. Through workshops, technical briefings and open houses, the program connects entrepreneurs with the state’s leading laboratories, testing facilities and commercialization resources. In collaboration with partners like VetsinTech, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, the NM Startup Alliance and the UNM Anderson Global Scaling Challenge, the initiative helps startups formalize partnerships, navigate from concept to market, and scale their businesses while remaining rooted in the state.
UNM Taos HIVE $312,000
UNM Taos HIVE, in partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) and Taos Community Foundation, is launching the Advanced Energy Innovation Bridge to give New Mexico’s advanced energy startups opportunities to test and pilot their innovations directly with KCEC. This program will support a cohort of local companies with hands-on coaching, utility partnership and a community Demo Day. By connecting innovators with utility partners, the initiative will help bring new technologies to market while reducing costs, creating jobs and strengthening rural communities.