Business Development

Business Development

We support businesses by connecting them to essential resources and community networks, and—through a focus on collaboration and increasing awareness of available opportunities—we have developed and implemented several key events and programs, including:
 

Small Business Navigator Program

In partnership with NMSU’s Arrowhead Center, this program connects entrepreneurs with an in-person coordinator or resource partners to guide them through every step of starting a business—and includes a small microgrant to support early-stage needs.
 

OED Office Hours

Each month, we hold Office Hours at two different locations to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses to the resources they need to grow and succeed. Using the links below for each location, please schedule an appointment for a one-on-one conversation with our OED experts.

• Downtown Businesses: Every Tuesday, from 1 – 5 PM, at La Mama, 225 E. Marcy
  Downtown Business Coordinator Maciek Jasik will be seated on the front outdoor patio and available for 25-minute sessions to learn about your business, listen to your needs, and connect business owners with resources.
• Last Monday, from 10 AM – 2 PM, at Del Norte Credit Union on Cerrillos 
  Economic Development Specialist Eric Renz-Whitmore will be available for 25-minute sessions to help those who are starting a business or those who need to access the resources to grow a business. 

Santa Fe Business 101

Held quarterly, this workshop brings together key City departments to streamline the business startup process, clarify requirements, and empower entrepreneurs to launch with confidence.
 

Small Business Finance Fairs

Quarterly events hosted across the city with rotating themes—grants, venture capital, commercial loans, and more—these events connect local businesses with essential financial resources and expert support to help them grow and thrive.
 

Center for Responsible Entrepreneurship

A partnership between the City of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management. This initiative equips entrepreneurs with tools to launch and scale ventures that prioritize community impact, sustainability, and ethical business practices. Programs include Beyond Profit Series, mentorship, workshops, and access to a statewide network of investors and experts.
 

Native Business Development

Through our partnership with the UNM Rainforest Innovations, we support a dedicated Native Business Development Coordinator  to strengthen Native entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development across the region. The Coordinator works directly with Tribal communities and Indigenous business owners to provide culturally informed technical assistance, access to capital, and connection to broader innovation and startup ecosystems—ensuring Native voices and ventures are part of Santa Fe’s economic future.

For more information, please contact Deborah Torres via email at dmtorres@santafenm.gov.
 

Books Behind the Business

In partnership with the Santa Fe Public Library, Books Behind the Business is a business-focused book club that meets every other month in various locations around town and blends community reading with real-world business insight.

Whether you’ve read the book or not, we invite you to join us for this exciting meet-up where we explore big ideas, meet fellow entrepreneurs, and engage in open conversation about what it takes to start and sustain a business in Santa Fe.

Explore our Books Behind the Business booklet that highlights 12 local entrepreneurs and business leaders as they share the book that inspired them on their journey.