Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary-Designate | New Mexico Economic Development Department
The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has chosen 20 small businesses from around the state to take part in the first round of Capital Connect, a new bilingual initiative aimed at helping local entrepreneurs address challenges in securing capital.
The selected companies represent a range of small businesses throughout New Mexico. According to EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black, "These 20 companies reflect the innovation, determination, and cultural diversity that make New Mexico such a strong place to do business. Capital Connect is designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are, in the language they prefer, and give them the tools they need to grow."
The Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Office within EDD leads this program. The agency has partnered with Revby, a consulting firm focused on small business development and preparing businesses for investment.
JEDI Office Coordinator Rita Veleta emphasized the importance of language accessibility: "Making Capital Connect fully bilingual was never up for debate; it was essential from the start. This approach isn’t just about language access, it’s about meeting entrepreneurs where they are and making sure they feel seen, supported, and equipped to grow their business."
Starting in January 2026, participating businesses will receive three months of complimentary hands-on support estimated at over $4,000 per company. The selection criteria focused on readiness for growth and need for assistance with capital preparedness. The program also prioritized very small enterprises—those with fewer than ten employees—as well as minority-owned and rural businesses.
