A startup support organization is calling on entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh's Latin American population to apply for a new mini-grants program that offers budding business individuals in this population group capital to help grow their operations.
Ascender, based in East Liberty, launched a new program called "Mini-Becas, Acelera Tu Negocio Con Ascender" — which translates to "'mini-scholarships, accelerate your business with Ascender" — that will provide up to $5,000 in funding to Latino-, Latina- or Latinx-owned startups and small businesses based in Allegheny County. The organization said it also will offer a $500 grant award to an aspiring youth-aged individual from this population group.
"As a Latina myself, these mini-grants are our way of saying, 'We see you, we support you, and we're here to help you level up,'" Nadyli Nuñez, executive director at Ascender, said in a prepared statement. "Latinx entrepreneurs bring so much dynamism to Allegheny County's business scene, infusing it with energy, innovation, and a vibrant tapestry of cultures. I couldn't be happier to do this!"
Those interested in applying must first fill out a brief form and submit a two-minute video highlighting how these funds can lead to the achievement of a business goal. Ascender is taking applications until Oct. 1 from for-profit businesses that are actively operating and that have a majority stake of their business owned by a Latinx entrepreneur. These companies must be generating revenue and or have raised funding up to $400,000 in 2022 and must have under 10 employees.
Winners of the grants will be announced on Oct. 14.
