Mayor’s Prize split between 4 groups

Organizations cited for contributions to entrepreneurship

The Albuquerque Community Foundation and Mayor Richard Berry on Monday announced that four organizations will share the 2017 Mayor’s Prize for Entrepreneurship.

CNM Ingenuity, Downtown ABQ Mainstreet/Three Sisters Kitchen, Keshet and WESST will share $200,000 in awards. The Mayor’s Prize is a competitive grant program for institutions that offer programs intended to improve skill development, job growth and expansion of new companies, according to a news release from the foundation.

The grants announced Monday include:

CNM Ingenuity: $65,000 for the IGNITE Community Accelerator and FUSE Makerspace initiatives. Both programs connect small-scale production methodology and practice with intellectual property assistance and distribution support.

Downtown ABQ Mainstreet/Three Sisters Kitchen: $50,000 for the Food Business Entrepreneurial Training Program, which provides aspiring, low-income entrepreneurs with facilities, equipment, supplies and training.

Keshet: $10,000 for the Keshet Makers Space Experience, which provides concentrated cohorts for performing arts entrepreneurs (specifically choreographers and dancers) with space to develop and market products, complemented by arts business classes.

WESST: $75,000 to La Escalera, a program for immigrant entrepreneurs that helps them formalize their businesses; improve financial management, marketing and business compliance skills; gain access to or improve use of banking services; and provide a support network.