CNMI Innovation Incubator seeks second batch of startups as deadline nears

The CNMI Innovation Incubator Program is gearing up for its second cohort, with local startups having until Friday, Sept. 11, to apply for a year of hands-on help aimed at giving young businesses a better chance to grow—and survive tough times.

The Northern Marianas College initiative, powered by the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network, is designed for early-stage local businesses that have been operating for no more than five years.

Duncan Laxa, who manages marketing for the CNMI Innovation Incubator Program, said the first cohort selected 14 startups from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. A majority finished the program.

Now, the incubator is looking for its next group.

“We're looking for entrepreneurs who are ready to show up and do the work,” Laxa said.

The program welcomes businesses from different industries, including food and agriculture, technology, arts and culture, manufacturing and product development, professional services, and hospitality.

The success of the first cohort, Laxa said, can be seen in the different kinds of help provided to participating businesses.

Among them was Marianas Churisos Company, LLC, which makes Chamorro-style sausages. The incubator helped the company with kitchen equipment, rental assistance, and mentorship as it worked toward opening its Garapan storefront.

“We helped them with kitchen equipment, with rental assistance, and mentorship as they work on opening their storefront at Garapan,” Laxa said.

The incubator also worked with Bishu Marianas, which makes locally inspired snacks, and Crownway Green Energy Company, which provides renewable energy solutions.

“That just shows the range of businesses that we can help here in the incubator,” Laxa said.

The help, however, does not simply come in the form of a check.

Selected businesses get access to the incubator's makerspace, one-on-one mentorship, structured workshops, marketing and exposure, and other business resources. Funding can instead come through materials, equipment, and supplies based on what a business needs.

“It's less about the dollar figure, but it's more about the practical real support that would really help the business in their current stage,” Laxa said.

For Bishu Marianas, that included marketing help and developing new packaging to better sell its products. Crownway Green Energy Company received marketing assistance and help creating a website to make payments easier for customers.

The second cohort will run for one year. Participants must attend mandatory training, workshops, and community events and spend at least three hours a week at the incubator's makerspace.

Laxa said that kind of support has become even more important after recent typhoons battered local businesses, leaving some with damaged storefronts, spoiled inventory, weeks without power, and added generator expenses.

He said businesses that already had a support system—whether a plan, network, or savings—were able to recover faster.

“We're trying to be able to help them create a plan, a network, and the habits to be able to adapt when something goes wrong,” Laxa said. “Because it's not really about growing your business when in the good times, but also being able to survive in the bad times.”

Applicants must have an active business license and have operated for no more than five years. They must also be registered with the CNMI SBDC or be willing to register and be physically located in the CNMI or have plans to establish operations here.

Required materials include proof of residency, a valid business license, business plan, tax clearance, an applicant budget sheet, and three vendor quotes for requested resources, supplies, or equipment.

Applications are due this Friday, Sept. 11.

Application materials are available online at tr.ee/innovationincubator or at the CNMI Innovation Incubator office, Unit 5, Beach Road Plaza. Prospective applicants who need help may schedule an appointment with a CNMI SBDC adviser at (670) 237-9206 or 6888.

For questions about the program, call (670) 488-1661 or 1662 or email cnmi.incubator@marianas.edu.

The CNMI Innovation Incubator Program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.