Santa Fe has a vibrant and diverse business community. Active business advocacy groups provide valuable networking and mentorship opportunities to create personal connections that can be leveraged to the advantage of local businesses and the community they support. As befits a town of its size, Santa Fe’s business community is tightly integrated and co-operative, and these business networking groups provide a way to continue building on this cooperation, while staying on top of the latest local business trends and opportunities.
Kick-Ass Entrepreneurs (KAE)
https://www.entrepreneurstorytime.com/
If you like hearing local entrepreneurs’ stories, visiting new venues and sharing that experience with others, then join Kick-Ass Entrepreneurs (KAE) of Santa Fe at their Entrepreneur Story Time events, typically on the 1st Thursday of every month. Since January 2018, KAE has organically grown to 485+ Meetup members and events consistently attended by 25-65 local fans of entrepreneurship and entrepreneur ecosystem partners. KAE’s feature storytellers hail from across industries – from tech to food startups, to multi-million-dollar moguls kicking-ass for years. And with time to schmooze with other smart, hardworking, motivated, creative and supportive entrepreneurs and like-minded Santa Feans before and after every Entrepreneur Story Time event, you’ll get to experience for yourself just how friendly and collaborative Santa Fe’s startup and entrepreneur community truly is.
Contact: Melanie Lenci, Founder & Facilitator, happy@melanielenci.com
Creative Mingle Arts Networking Events
Developed by local non-profit Creative Santa Fe in response to the need for creatives to have a means of networking with each other and with art-related organizations. The Creative Mingle Arts Networking Events usually feature an evening of networking among some of the most creative people in Santa Fe, with drinks, snacks, and activities provided in order to explore how work and play can intersect and inspire. Each event is hosted by a local organization and are themed around topics that concern the local community such as wellness, social justice, etc.
Contact: Cyndi Conn, Executive Director, 505.989.9934, info@creativesantafe.org
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
https://www.santafechamber.com/
Provides networking opportunities such as monthly Business After Hours, Business Over Breakfast and Brown Bag Lunch events for their members. Other events include Annual Business Expo, Legislative Reception, golf tournaments and Business Excellence Awards.
Contact: Katie Capener, Events Programmer, 505.988.3279, Ext. 104, info@santafechamber.com
Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFHCC)
With several events throughout the year, members get to meet other local businesses and have fun creating new business connections. Members have access to other SFHCC members and followers, so when you host events you get people in your store to check out your services and products - an easy way to grow your visitors and create awareness for your business.
Contact: David Fresquez, President, 505.920.9486, info@caresoure.life
Filmmakers of New Mexico
https://www.meetup.com/Filmmakers-of-NM/
Based in Santa Fe, Filmmakers of New Mexico is a group for anyone making films, planning to make films, or just interested in filmmaking. They bring together people of all skill levels and interests to share information and techniques, participate in each other's projects, and build community around film in New Mexico. Events, speakers, workshops, and get-togethers.
Contact: Eric Streeper, Organizer, eric@xerb.tv
Santa Fe Toastmasters (Sunrise and Oh Pinon)
https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Fe-Public-Speaking-Meetup/
Toastmasters is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 16,400 clubs in 141 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters program.
Contact: Gary King, Oh Pinon Vice President Membership, 505.660.9667 and Margo Moriarty, Sunrise Vice President of Public Relations, 551.795.0311, Turkoi.staff@gmail.com
Women of Santa Fe Networking Group
https://womenofsantafenetworkinggroup.org/
A networking organization cultivating professional & personal relationships and offering networking, encouragement, inspiration and camaraderie. This group meets every 4th Thursday of the month for their monthly luncheon, where everyone can place their business cards on the group table and has the opportunity to speak for one minute to the entire group (registration and fee required). Speaking opportunities are also available for a sponsorship fee.
Contact: Kate Rollins, 888.242.1773, wosfng@gmail.com
New Mexico Technology Council (NMTC)
Based in Albuquerque, the NMTC hosts a variety of in-person and online events relating to business best practices, cybersecurity, marketing, minorities in technology, etc.
Contact: Deborah Breitfeld, Executive Director, 505.847.6840, info@nmtechcouncil.org
1 Million Cups (1MC) Albuquerque, NM
https://www.1millioncups.com/albuquerque, 505.227.8802
Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Every Wednesday, entrepreneurs present business ideas to the local community over coffee, share stories, and learn how those around them can support their business in it's growth.
Coronado Ventures Forum (CVF)
www.cvf-nm.org, 190 Central Park Square, Los Alamos, NM 87544, 505.662.0048, info@cvf-nm.org
CVF was founded in response to the need in New Mexico to educate investors and entrepreneurs on the process of early-stage, private equity funding, and to provide a gathering point for these two communities to come together and network. CVF is the premier event series for capital and startup development in New Mexico.
Santa Fe Innovates
https://santafeinnovates.com/mentors/
Santa Fe Innovates is a business accelerator for tech and solution-oriented startups with a vision for social good. They are currently seeking mentors who have led startups, served in executive and director roles at startups, and helped startups make connections and gain investments to be part of their Startup Accelerator program. Learn more and apply in their website. Listen to KSFR's interview with Jon Mertz.
Contact: Jon Mertz, Founder, jon@santafeinnovates.com
JumpStart
https://jumpstartbusinesssouthwest.com/
JumpStart is a project of the Trusted Advisor Network (TAN), robust network of business professionals committed to quality relationships based on building and extending trust. When you participate in the JumpStart program, you’ll access a team of volunteer experts. You’ll meet virtually or in person first with a cross-functional team of advisors. The JumpStart team will collect data and assess your situation. You’ll then be referred to a second team of consultants selected for your specific needs. There is no charge to you for either the first or second consultation. This is Trusted Advisor Networks contribution to assisting our community. JumpStart’s goal is to build a thriving business community with integrity, a commitment to quality work, and an enthusiasm for personal, professional, and business growth.