FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2026
Contact: Evan Haddad
Public Information Officer
ehaddad@goed.nv.gov 775-684-9973
Carson City, Nev. – The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is announcing that registration is open for the Tribal Entrepreneur Development Program, a free six-week course designed to help first-time Nevada entrepreneurs turn ideas into successful businesses.
The program, which is led by GOED partners Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and StartUpNV, will have its first cohort run from February 23-April 1, 2026. It includes hands-on workshops on essential small business topics, expert mentorship, and pitch practice sessions. The course also teaches new entrepreneurs how to attract the capital they need to drive their businesses.
Funding for the Tribal Entrepreneur Program comes from GOED’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which includes Technical Assistance to tribal communities and small businesses in rural areas.
“When we submitted our grant application for SSBCI’s second technical assistance tranche, we made sure that we are able to reach into every corner of this state to support Nevada’s entrepreneurs,” said Karsten Heise, senior director of strategic programs and innovation at GOED, who wrote the successful application and serves as Nevada’s SSBCI program manager. “With our lending partner Nevada Rural Development Corporation, we are already offering loans to Nevada rural small businesses under SSBCI, and this new dedicated technical assistance program designed for first time entrepreneurs in tribal communities is a crucial addition to our suite of services.”
“Tribal and rural entrepreneurs often struggle with access to entrepreneurship resources and support due to vast geographic distances in Nevada isolating tribal and rural areas,” said Jeff Saling, executive director of StartUpNV. “The Tribal Entrepreneur Program bridges this gap with critically needed education and mentorship to enable entrepreneurs to fulfill their dreams and launch successful businesses.”
“The Nevada SBDC is in its 41st year of providing technical assistance to new and existing businesses through 13 locations across Nevada,” said Winnie Dowling, state director for Nevada SBDC. “This initiative greatly helps fill a gap and will allow the Nevada SBDC to better address and support the many unique challenges faced by tribal and rural entrepreneurs.”
###
About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.
About the State Small Business Credit Initiative
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a nearly $10 billion program to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in communities across the United States by providing capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth, and success. SSBCI represents a transformational investment in American small businesses and is expected to catalyze up to $10 of private investment for every $1 of SSBCI Capital Program funding to increase access to capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in underserved communities. Nevada’s SSBCI Program, “Battle Born Growth”, is overseen by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
About StartUpNV
StartUpNV is a 501(c)3 non-profit statewide accelerator and business incubator for scalable Nevada-based startups that provides expert mentorship and access to a network of capital partners. StartUpNV’s founders, mentors, university connections, investors, and business partners work together to grow and support a robust, inclusive startup ecosystem in Nevada. StartUpNV’s related venture funds, FundNV, AngelNV, and the new 1864 seed fund, provide startups access to local venture capital along with education for entrepreneurs and angel investors. Since inception in 2017, StartUpNV has heard pitches from more than 1,500 startups, held more than 400 education events, and seen nearly $100 million in venture capital raised for more than 75 companies. For information visit: https://startupnv.org/.
About the Nevada Small Business Development Center
The Nevada Small Businesses Development Center, hosted by the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno and supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, has offered no-cost and confidential professional advising services to Nevada small businesses since 1985.
Nevada SBDC clients are advised by professionals who utilize their educational and business experience to provide practical, relevant advice to small business owner and prospective small business owners. Advising services include business planning, marketing, accounting and record keeping, loan applications, new business start-up, capital formation, technology development assistance, and much more. Small business owners interested in receiving no-cost, confidential advising can sign-up at nevadasbdc.org.