NM FAST Offers Complimentary Virtual Workshop on Startup Funding and Intellectual Property Strategies for New Mexico Entrepreneurs

NM FAST, a program administered by New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, is inviting early-stage New Mexico entrepreneurs to register for a free virtual workshop titled “SBIR: Startup Funding, Licensing & IP.” Scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, the workshop will be conducted via Zoom.

The session will be led by Daniel Jones, a seasoned startup operator and advisor with over 20 years of experience in technology sectors including healthcare, agricultural technology, financial technology, and the Internet of Things. Jones will cover critical topics such as capital raising strategies, diverse funding sources, and how founders can develop an intellectual property strategy to enhance their competitive advantage.

Participants will also gain insights into key licensing concepts and how to effectively navigate technology commercialization opportunities. This includes guidance on collaborations with academic institutions and corporate spinouts, which are vital for startups aiming to leverage research innovations.

Carlos Murguia, director of the Technology and Innovation Gateway at Arrowhead Center, emphasized the importance of early-stage capital and IP decisions. “New Mexico founders are translating research from national labs and universities into companies that can compete for federal R&D dollars, but capital strategy and IP decisions made early can determine whether that work reaches the market,” Murguia said.

The workshop is specifically designed to support startups and small businesses across New Mexico pursuing federal innovation funding through SBIR and STTR awards. It targets companies operating within the four priority sectors identified by the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant: advanced computing, bioscience, advanced energy, and aerospace.

NM FAST has a strong track record, having supported over 470 New Mexico startups and helped secure nearly $28 million in federal SBIR awards over more than a decade. The program also focuses on outreach to underrepresented groups, including rural entrepreneurs, women, veterans, and minorities.

This workshop is sponsored by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Technology and Innovation Office under the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant. The grant funds statewide programming aimed at SBIR/STTR-eligible companies within the state’s priority sectors.

Interested participants can register for the workshop online at luma.com/tnwgs42r. The event offers a valuable opportunity for New Mexico founders to build foundational knowledge in funding, licensing, and intellectual property strategy essential for successful technology commercialization and federal grant competitiveness.