While Change Labs builds out its 4,000-square-foot entrepreneurship and co-working space on the Navajo Nation in Tuba City, Arizona, scheduled for a 2020 debut, a temporary “Change Labs Studio” is underway to jumpstart the community. This smaller 600-square-foot hub will open in April, and Change Labs is ready to take on a new cohort of entrepreneurs. Change Labs is accepting applications for 10 open slots for its Native business incubator; applications must be submitted online at https://nativestartup.org/incubator by April 26, 2019.
Formerly known as the Native American Business Incubator Network (NABIN), Change Labs offers a year-long incubator program for Native entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a small business. The program includes one-on-one business coaching, entrepreneurship workshops and trainings, and peer network building — all at zero cost. Upon graduation, incubator participants are eligible to apply for a business micro-loan of up to $10,000.
Successful applicants will attend Business Fundamentals Bootcamp and work with a professional business coach to set business goals. Over the course of the program, entrepreneurs will:
- Strengthen their business and financial models
- Develop appropriate branding and marketing collateral
- Receive back-end training in accounting, financial reporting, tax preparation, and business registration
- Become eligible for a micro-loan. Change Labs will offer micro-loans up to $10,000 exclusively to graduates of the program.
“To Native entrepreneurs across the Navajo and Hopi nations who may be struggling to start or grow a small business, we’re here to say you don’t have to do it alone,” says Change Labs Director of Incubation Jessica Stago. “Change Labs’ business incubator can provide the guidance you need to launch, build, and grow your business successfully.”
Details about eligibility and a link to the online application can be found at https://nativestartup.org/incubator.
Change Labs is also accepting applications for its inaugural “Artist Rezidency” program. The deadline is also April 26, 2019. Learn more in Native Business’ article: Change Labs Opens Artist ‘Rezidency’ Opportunities to Native Visual Artists.
As Change Labs states: “Change Labs believes that entrepreneurship is our path to stronger and more resilient Native communities.”
