PDF version of the press release<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n San Juan | Monday, October 2, 2023 <\/strong>| The Small Business Incubators and Accelerators Program<\/a> of the Puerto Rico Community Foundation<\/a> (FCPR) began receiving applications from entrepreneurs who wish to receive training and mentoring. The third cycle of the program, which begins in November, will support participants with the drafting of a business plan to take their idea to the next level and apply for government incentives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those interested can attend the virtual and in-person workshops offered by the incubator and accelerator closest to their area of residence: CR\u00c9ALOS<\/strong> of the <\/strong>Office for the Promotion and Human Development<\/a> <\/strong>(OPDH), in Arecibo (north central); Incubadora Solidaria Headquarters<\/strong> from Women of the Islands<\/a>, <\/strong>in Culebra; and the Center for Microenterprise and Sustainable Agricultural Technologies Inc. <\/a>(CMTAS Yauco, Inc.), in Yauco (southwest).<\/p>\n\n\n\n To participate, register at one of the incubators mentioned above or send an email to aemejia@fcpr.org<\/a>. Access the application at Small Business Incubators and Accelerators Program<\/a> which appears in www.fcpr.org<\/a> -In the main menu you can find it under Programmatic Approaches, and choose the Incubators and Accelerators submenu. At the end of the workshops, participants will receive a certificate of completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program is an initiative supported by the Puerto Rico Department of Housing<\/strong> through program funds CDBG-DR<\/strong>, and is managed by the FCPR, together with the incubators and accelerators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are very excited about the start of the third cycle of incubation and acceleration of small businesses because it gives us the opportunity to once again increase the human capital of Puerto Rican entrepreneurs. We are looking for them to boost their entrepreneurship with the creation of a business plan and the acquisition of specific knowledge about its development, as well as information about available government assistance,\u201d said FCPR President and CEO Dr. Nelson I. Col\u00f3n Tarrats. \u201cSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important for the economic development of our archipelago, and this program collaborates with the mission of making them grow,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the learning areas included in the curriculum are: Business Feasibility, Incentives for Puerto Rican Entrepreneurs, How to Prepare a Financial Statement, How to Make a Business Plan, and Business Permitting-the other learning areas vary by incubator and are specified in the enrollment process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the first of four incubation and acceleration cycles (2021), 19 companies were developed and obtained a merchant certificate and\/or presented a business plan. In October 2022, the second cycle began, from which 43 participants graduated. Of these, 16 presented their business plans, 13 obtained their merchant registrations and seven obtained artisan certifications, as reported to date. Some of the companies that have graduated from the incubation cycles, which are already operating, are: La J\u00edbarra Creative Pizzeria<\/strong>, in Culebra; Stilo Grace<\/em><\/strong>, in Arecibo; La J\u00edbara del Coqu\u00ed<\/strong>, in Yauco; Le'Charcuterie<\/strong>, in Arecibo; The Cold Corner<\/strong>, in Arecibo; Ulana Handmade Crochet<\/strong>, in Culebra; F MARTINEZ \u2018S ACCOUNTING INC<\/strong>, in Arecibo; and Bee-Connected<\/strong>, in Coamo. You can learn about the history of some of these in the video: My Entrepreneurial Journey: Boricua Entrepreneur Stories<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This program is also aligned with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the SDG on Quality Education (4) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n