Nevada Launches Tribal Entrepreneur Development Program with Federal SSBCI Funding

Following $38.5M Second Tranche Approval, GOED Rolls Out First Dedicated Technical Assistance Program for Tribal Communities Through StartUpNV and Nevada SBDC Partnership

The Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) has opened registration for the Tribal Entrepreneur Development Program, a free six-week course designed to help first-time entrepreneurs in Nevada's tribal communities turn ideas into successful businesses.

The program's first cohort will run from February 23 through April 1, 2026, led by GOED partners Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and StartUpNV, Nevada's statewide nonprofit startup accelerator and incubator.

The program is funded through the Technical Assistance component of GOED's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), part of the $38.5 million second funding tranche that Nevada secured from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in November 2025. Nevada's SSBCI program, branded as "Battle Born Growth," is set to receive up to $112.95 million over the next decade, supporting small businesses and startups through six dedicated programs spanning venture capital, microloans, accelerators, small business loans, climate finance, and technical assistance.

Federal SSBCI Framework and Nevada's Track Record

The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a nearly $10 billion federal program reauthorized and expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It provides capital and technical assistance to states, territories, and tribal governments to promote small business stability, growth, and success. The program's design goal is to catalyze up to $10 of private investment for every $1 of SSBCI Capital Program funding, with a particular focus on increasing access to capital in historically underserved communities.

Nevada exceeded every federal deployment benchmark during its first SSBCI phase, deploying $25 million in venture capital targeting high-growth sectors. This performance earned the state its $38.5 million second tranche, making Battle Born Growth one of the most impactful SSBCI programs operating in the United States. The program's "evergreen" structure projects reinvestments spanning 20 to 30 years, far beyond the federal program's 10-year horizon.

"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."

Program Details: Six-Week Hands-On Curriculum

The Tribal Entrepreneur Development Program targets first-time entrepreneurs with a practical, 6-week learning experience. Sessions are held twice a week (5:00 PM to approximately 6:00 PM), available both online statewide and in person at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, 553 8th Street, Wadsworth, NV 89442. The program concludes with a live public Demo Day, where participants pitch their ventures to potential investors, mentors, and the community.

The curriculum is specifically designed to take entrepreneurs from ideation through to attracting pre-seed angel investment, with emphasis on capital attraction strategies that early-stage founders find most challenging.

Key Partners and Their Roles

StartUpNV: Nevada's Statewide Startup Ecosystem Builder

StartUpNV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit statewide accelerator and business incubator founded in 2017, headquartered in Las Vegas with operations in Reno and rural counties across Nevada. The organization operates 7 growth programs for founders and manages 4 affiliated investment funds, supporting the full lifecycle of entrepreneurship from ideation to revenue-producing businesses.

StartUpNV Growth Programs:

Affiliated Investment Funds:

Since inception, 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. The organization's portfolio includes notable companies such as Flawless AI, TensorWave, and DAIC AI.

StartUpNV has prior experience in tribal entrepreneurship programming. In 2024, the organization received $231,949 in USDA Rural Business Development Grants to run its inaugural Southern Nevada Tribal Entrepreneurial Development (TED) Program and Rural Roadshow workshops.

"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."

Nevada SBDC: 41 Years of Small Business Support

The Nevada Small Business Development Center, hosted by the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno and supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, has provided no-cost, confidential professional advising services to Nevada small businesses since 1985 through 13 locations across the state. Services include business planning, marketing, accounting, loan applications, capital formation, and technology development assistance.

"The Nevada SBDC is in its 41st year of providing technical assistance to new and existing businesses," 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."

Battle Born Growth: Nevada's Comprehensive SSBCI Ecosystem

Nevada's SSBCI program, Battle Born Growth, operates six dedicated programs under the oversight of GOED's Office of Entrepreneurship. Tribal governments also receive separate SSBCI fund allocations directly from the U.S. Treasury, with the state providing additional support through a collateral support program for tribal small businesses.

Strategic Implications for Korean Startups Entering the Nevada Market

This program signals Nevada's continued evolution from a tourism and entertainment hub into an inclusive innovation economy that extends support to its most underserved communities. The state's use of large-scale federal SSBCI funding for localized technical assistance offers a replicable model and a practical entry point for international startups looking to establish a presence in the U.S. market.

Nevada has been actively recruiting deep-tech, AI, robotics, and clean energy companies, and the Battle Born Growth ecosystem—with its 1:10 public-to-private leverage ratio and evergreen reinvestment structure projected over 20-30 years—creates a uniquely favorable environment for capital access. StartUpNV's growing infrastructure, including 7 founder programs and 4 affiliated funds, along with the International Innovation Center initiative, positions the state as a strategic landing zone for global startups.

For Korean startups targeting the Nevada market, the Battle Born Growth programs offer concrete funding pathways: microloans (up to $250K), accelerator investment (minimum $100K), and loan participation (up to $5M). Eligibility requires establishing a Nevada-based entity with 100 or fewer full-time employees. K-EnterTech Hub's K-Nevada Gateway program continues to facilitate Korean deep-tech startups' entry into the Nevada and broader Western U.S. market, and will explore ways to connect Korean companies with this expanding state-level support infrastructure.

Program at a Glance

Resources and Links

GOED Main: 775-687-9900  |  www.goed.nv.gov

StartUpNV: info@startupnv.org