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!
View the Upcoming Events below for more information on Rural Women-Led Business Fund (RWLBF) workshops and registration details.
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!
View the Upcoming Events below for more information on Fortaleza Fund (FF) workshops and registration details.
Upcoming Events
Save the date for upcoming education programs, including workshops and webinars.
2024 Past Events
See a past workshop or webinar that you missed? Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date and learn about what’s ahead.
Grants
We provide grants for technical assistance for rural entrepreneurs and businesses.
Take a look at these programs to see how they can help your business.
Grants
We provide grants for technical assistance for rural entrepreneurs and businesses.
Take a look at these programs to see how they can help your business.
Dunes Experiences, Mosca
Dunes Experiences purchased a 320-acre property next to the Great Sand Dunes National Park offering camping next
Law Office of Angela Lee
Prior to opening her law office, Angela obtained valuable judicial experience in the San Luis Valley’s 12th
Wolf Creek Anglers, South Fork
Wolf Creek Anglers is a fly fishing shop and outfitter service that provides fishing trips on the
Sherpa Momo Ghar, Durango
After spending her teenage years and young adulthood helping at her family restaurant in Nepal, Neema wanted
Spotless Customized Cleaning Services, Durango
Spotless Customized Cleaning Services provides cleaning for both businesses and residences. Spotless prides itself on its use
Cajas, Durango
Cajas is a Colorado-based Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) business that turns shipping containers into modern affordable dwellings to
Capitol Deli, Rifle
Growing up in the Roaring Fork Valley, Dusti Budd helped her dad and mom with the original Capitol
Pawsh Pet Salon, Bayfield
Since purchasing a local grooming business, new owner Ty Olsen rebranded Pawsh Pet Salon and expanded its offerings.
Fitch Ranch Real Estate Holding, LLC, Craig
After purchasing a USDA-inspected meat processing plant, Deborah Fitch finished the process for the facility to become
Hoffman Farms, Greeley
As a third-generation farmer, Hanmei Hoffman moved to the United States and started Hoffman Farms. She has been
Ellen’s Flowers, Cañon City
Located in the agricultural community of Cañon City, Ellen’s Flowers provides organically grown flowers directly to the greater
Three Trucking Businesses, San Luis Valley
First Southwest Community Fund, in partnership with Colorado Startup Loan Fund, was proud to help three startup trucking
M&G Auto Repair, Durango
Miguel and Jeovana had a desire to open the first bilingual auto repair shop in Durango. We
Rural Micro-entrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
This program provides micro-loans, training and technical assistance grants to entrepreneurs and small business owners.