NE Valley Times

Salt River Project (SRP) and Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute are launching the Small Business Academy, a six-week program aimed at helping small and diverse businesses in Arizona. The initiative will start on January 28, with workshops every Tuesday evening, concluding with a pitch competition on March 4.

Erika Castro, Supplier Diversity Manager at SRP, stated, “Small businesses are the backbone of Arizona’s economy, and through the Small Business Academy, we’re providing the resources, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive.” The program focuses on managing finances, meeting insurance requirements, boosting cybersecurity, scaling operations, and perfecting business pitches. Workshops will be held at SRP Heritage Center in Tempe and Skysong 1951@SkySong in Scottsdale.

SRP seeks participation from businesses in industries crucial to its operations such as distribution, custodial services, engineering, substation construction, electrical equipment manufacturing, software integration, cyber/cloud security, environmental consulting, logistics and construction services. The program is designed to help these businesses navigate procurement opportunities.

Kristin Slice from ASU’s Edson E+I emphasized the importance of small businesses: “Small businesses are at the heart of Arizona’s growth... Leveraging ASU’s innovation and Edson E+I’s inclusive approach... empowers business owners to scale their impact.”

Participants will have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to SRP and other major organizations during the final event. This aligns with SRP's supplier diversity strategy. In 2023 alone, SRP awarded over $243 million in purchase orders to diverse suppliers.

“Through programs like the Small Business Academy... we’re building a more inclusive supply chain,” added Castro. She highlighted that contributions from small and diverse businesses drive innovation and job creation in Arizona.

For more information or registration details for the Small Business Academy powered by SRP visit their website.