We believe that all entrepreneurs and small businesses should have the opportunity to learn about how to start and operate their businesses for long-term success. Business education is fundamental to owning and operating a business, especially in our rural communities. This is why we created entrepreneurial education packaged into our own Rural Women-Led Business Fund and Fortaleza Fund programs. These programs are FREE to our Colorado rural communities and not only support education, but give opportunities for grant funding and access to capital at low-interest rates. We also offer additional education workshops throughout the year on various business topics.
Rural Women-Led Business Fund Education
This program empowers women entrepreneurs and women-led small businesses in rural Colorado through education, grants, and low-interest access to capital. We are proud to support multicultural, multilingual, and multigenerational women-led businesses that may not otherwise qualify for a loan.
This program is fully inclusive to all who identify as female or nonbinary and is designed to set rural women-owned businesses up for success. Upon completion of RWLBF education programs, students are eligible to receive grant funding, apply for loans, and have a tribe of women entrepreneurs, mentors, and an incredible Advisory Committee helping every step of the way!
Fortaleza Fund Education
This program supports immigrant entrepreneurs and immigrant small businesses across rural Colorado through Spanish language education, grants, and low-interest access to capital. Immigrants often times may not qualify for a loan due to status, initial start-up and/or credit, so this program was created to help them achieve their business ownership dreams.
This program supports diverse multicultural and multilingual businesses. Our definition of “immigrant” is fully inclusive to all those who are undocumented, have permanent residence, have refugee status, and those who are naturalized citizens. Upon completion of Fortaleza Fund education programs, students are eligible to receive grant funding, apply for loans, and have a community helping every step of the way!