A woman-led construction company. A local radio station amplifying Latin voices. An art gallery transforming how Pittsburgh experiences Latin American culture.
These aren’t startups chasing unicorn status; they’re real businesses serving real people. On October 18th at Trace Brewing, they got something every entrepreneur deserves but rarely receives: capital without the BS and a network that actually gets it.
Ascender, Pittsburgh’s East Liberty-based entrepreneurial community, announced today the six winners of its 2025 Latine Mini-Grant Program, which awarded $13,500 in funding to businesses that represent the vibrant, often overlooked diversity of Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial landscape.
“These grants aren’t charity. They’re investments in the entrepreneurs reshaping Pittsburgh’s economy,” said Nadyli Nuñez, CEO of Ascender. “Since 2023, we’ve awarded over $62,000 in mini-grants to Latine and Black businesses. Not because it’s trendy. Because it’s smart. These founders are building the future, and they’re doing it in a city that’s finally starting to wake up to what’s possible when we stop gatekeeping opportunity.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Pittsburgh Is Changing
While Pittsburgh’s overall population crawled forward by less than 1% between 2010 and 2020, the city’s Latine population exploded by 70%. Across Allegheny County? 80% growth.
Nationally, Latine-owned businesses are growing at 7.7% annually, nearly 17 times faster than the 0.46% rate for all employer businesses. Yet access to capital remains maddeningly elusive for founders who don’t fit the traditional mold.
“Pittsburgh loves to talk about innovation,” Nuñez added. “But real innovation means funding the woman breaking barriers in construction. The radio host keeping a community connected. The restaurant owner creating jobs in their neighborhood. That’s where Pittsburgh’s future is being built, and we’re making sure those founders have resources and community to succeed.”
Congratulations to the 2025 Latine Mini-grant Winners:
- Del Caimán ($5,000) – Founded by Rafael Migoyo, Del Caimán is a vibrant art gallery that celebrates Latin American culture and creativity through dynamic exhibitions and community-centered programming, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to share their stories with Pittsburgh. The grant funds: a professional lighting system to enhance artwork presentation and create more immersive visitor experiences.
- Radio Las Palmas ($3,000) – Oscar Mateo Mattos Mareno runs a community-driven radio station that amplifies Latin voices, music, and culture throughout the Pittsburgh region, serving as a cultural bridge and storytelling platform for the Latine community. The grant funds: new equipment and marketing efforts to enhance broadcast quality and expand their reach.
- Pure Home Magic ($2,000) – Andres Oliveros Sanchez operates a dedicated cleaning business committed to providing reliable, high-quality services. As a proudly Latine-owned company, Pure Home Magic represents the strong tradition of entrepreneurship within the Latine community, where many families have built thriving businesses through hard work, trust, and care. The grant funds: professional equipment, team uniforms, and bilingual marketing materials.
- King of Kings Construction ($1,500) – Sara Uribe Valderrama leads a growing construction company bringing excellence, precision, and creativity to every project. As a woman entrepreneur in an industry where female leadership is still rare, she stands out as a powerful example of innovation, determination, and representation in construction and architecture. The grant funds: targeted marketing campaigns and essential technology to enhance operations and reach new clients.
- Hot Metal Strings ($1,000) – Maureen Conlon-Gutierrez leads a talented string band known for bringing energy, artistry, and community spirit to every performance. Their music connects people across cultures and generations, enriching Pittsburgh’s creative scene through collaboration and live performance. The grant funds: hiring a website developer to establish a professional online presence to make bookings more efficient.
- Papelón Bistro LLC ($1,000) – Armando Gonzalez runs a vibrant restaurant serving delicious arepas, offering the Pittsburgh community a welcoming space to enjoy authentic dishes made with passion. The grant funds: a professional business sign to increase visibility and attract new customers.
¡Avanza! Pittsburgh: Where Celebration Met Capital
The mini-grant winners were celebrated at ¡Avanza! Pittsburgh, Ascender’s annual vibrant celebration closing out Hispanic Heritage Month, on Saturday, October 18th at Trace Brewing (4312 Main St, Bloomfield).
The event, emceed by Melanie Marie Boyer, CEO of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, brought together entrepreneurs, funders, and civic leaders for an afternoon and evening of connection, celebration, and community building featuring a vendor market, taco bar, tres leches, and music.
Aligned with Ascender’s values of building in community, Avanza and the 2025 Latine Mini-Grants were supported through partnerships with Bakery Square (presenting sponsor) and Trace Brewing (venue partner).
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors
This year’s mini-grants were made possible by the generous support of Bakery Square and Trace Brewing, whose commitment to diversity and economic empowerment is truly commendable. Their support has been instrumental in the success of this campaign, helping to fuel the aspirations of these deserving business owners.
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