SE Valley Times

Rio Salado College has been awarded $20,000 by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship and Everyday Entrepreneurship (NACCE), with contributions from Chip and Stuart Weismiller. This funding aims to support student entrepreneurs by providing practical opportunities to develop their businesses.

Dr. Lily Davidov, the Faculty Chair for Accounting and Small Business at Rio Salado, was instrumental in securing this funding. She stated, “The Startup Sprint, Pitch competition, and Business Growth initiatives provide invaluable resources that help students build real skills in marketing, customer acquisition, revenue growth, and service enhancement."

The college offers several entrepreneurship grant programs to students. These include:

- The Small Business Pitch Competition in Spring 2024: Five students received funding from Wells Fargo and NACCE to develop their business ideas.

- The StartUp Sprint & Business Growth Initiative in Summer 2024: Ten students expanded their ventures using funds from Wells Fargo.

- Fall 2024 Programs: Five students received grants for inventory optimization and service enhancement.

For spring and fall 2025, Rio Salado is planning a new program to guide students in launching prototypes. Virtual resources will be available to extend these opportunities to out-of-state students.

Yolanda A. Facio, instructional services coordinator and mentor to students, said, “We help students tackle today’s real-world business challenges by offering entrepreneurial programs with hands-on mentorship and funding opportunities, providing the essential support and skills.”

These programs are open to credential-seeking students regardless of their major. Dr. Davidov added, "With ongoing enhancements and a commitment to hands-on learning, these programs offer students real-time opportunities to bridge theory and practice, turning their dreams into reality faster."

Additionally, funding from Blackstone LaunchPad is enhancing entrepreneurship engagement through initiatives like Global Entrepreneurship Week events and an entrepreneurship-focused book club.

Partnerships with local institutions and financial partners such as Wells Fargo are being developed to broaden regional engagement. Through these efforts, Rio Salado College aims to foster professional growth among student entrepreneurs across Arizona and beyond.