Los Alamos County

Join a free business incubator hosted by the Library and projectY

This fall, the Los Alamos Public Library is offering a business incubator program for aspiring business owners to test the viability of their ideas. Co-hosted with projectY and through a partnership with global creative business accelerator, Creative Startups, the library will host a 6-week Libraries as Launchpads business incubator program starting on October 11^th. Registration is open now through October 1st, 2023

The six-week program consists of two weekly sessions: a one-hour online class on Monday nights for a nationwide cohort and a weekly in-person meet-up at projectY in Los Alamos where local participants work with an educator, local expert guests, and each other.

The business incubator is a six-week business boot camp designed for those who want to discover if their idea is viable in the marketplace and determine the next steps to starting a business. The program will teach entrepreneurs how to identify customers, to pitch their business, gain an understanding of important business concepts like sales pipelines and minimum viable products, and connect with key local resources including the New Mexico Small Business Development Center at UNM-Los Alamos. Whether participants are just getting started with little more than a business idea, or already own a business that is looking to pivot or deliver a new offering this course can support decision making on how to move forward. The program can also serve as an excellent way to prepare for participation in the Los Alamos Business Accelerator spearheaded by the Los Alamos MainStreet and Chamber of Commerce. Applications for the Los Alamos Business Accelerator open in mid-November. The two programs, the Library incubator and the Los Alamos accelerator, if taken in succession offer a unique progression for local entrepreneurs and potential business owners.

The Los Alamos Public Library is participating in the Libraries as Launchpads incubator program thanks to a federal IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Grant. The grant was awarded to the New Mexico State Library Foundation in partnership with The New Mexico State Library and Creative Startups. Los Alamos Public Library is one of just seven libraries selected from across the country to participate in this incubator initiative.  

“We are honored and excited to participate in this grant program” said Senior Librarian Eva Jacobson. “This is new territory for us, but the library is uniquely positioned to serve as the first touchpoint for potential business owners who may not otherwise have easy access to existing business resources. Taking those first steps can be daunting. We are offering this free program to connect prospective business owners and entrepreneurs to the resources they need.”

The business incubator program is hosted by Santa Fe based non-profit, Creative Startups. Creative Startups has hosted programs for over 425 startup businesses on 4 continents including Meow Wolf. These businesses have grown revenues by over $83 million and raised over $320 million in investment combined. 

This business incubator program is specifically developed to support entrepreneurs from creative industries, but all budding business owners are welcome to register. The program welcomes entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and is open to anyone from Los Alamos and surrounding Northern New Mexico communities.

Business Incubator program dates:

 Registration open now through October 1st, 2023

Welcome Meeting: Wednesday, October 11th, at 5pm

Course: October 11th - November 13^th with two weekly meetings:

• Mondays at 5:00 pm virtual w. national cohort (can join in library if needed)
•  Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in person w. local cohort @ projectY

Information booklets and registration form are available at both libraries or online at LosAlamosLibrary.org