Mini-Grants supporting Latine-owned startups and small businesses in Allegheny County

Photos from Ascender’s “Mini-Becas, Acelera Tu Negocio Con Ascender” Party

In a heartwarming celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, October 14th, Ascender proudly unveiled the recipients of seven mini-grants to Latine-owned startups and small businesses in Allegheny County. These grants ranged from $500 to $5,000, with a special $500 grant given to an up-and-coming Latine youth entrepreneur.

Ascender called upon applicants to convey their entrepreneurial spirit through a two-minute video describing their business and aspirations. These videos showcased the incredible diversity of local businesses, spanning industries — from HR services, software, and jewelry to bakeries and dance studios.

Ascender’s Executive Director, Nadyli Nuñez, shared,

“Ascender has strategically chosen to forge a path that imparts essential business skills and creates equitable access to capital — a pivotal combination. While we can tirelessly impart knowledge on marketing and entrepreneurship, we recognize that many brilliant minds still grapple with the challenge of securing the necessary capital to manifest their visions and scale their businesses.

In this journey, Ascender extends its appreciation to Bakery Square for its generous support as the presenting sponsor of the Latine mini-grant program this year. We are delighted to announce they have also committed to championing this endeavor for the next two years. We will be back!”

Partygoers celebrated the winners, made new connections, enjoyed local Latin cuisine, and even learned to Salsa!
Partygoers celebrated the winners, made new connections, enjoyed local Latin cuisine, and even learned to Salsa!

The award ceremony was uplifting and inspiring as attendees cheered on the winners. The event was attended by numerous Latine entrepreneurs, their families, cherished community partners, esteemed leaders, and dedicated vendors. 72% of our attendees identified as Latine, and 84% of vendors identified as Latine-owned businesses. Attendees also benefited from childcare services generously funded by Duolingo.

The event featured welcoming remarks from Ascender’s Executive Director, Nadyli Nuñez, and a speech by the Honorable State Representative Lindsay Powell. Representative Powell touched the hearts of many, sharing the story of her grandfather’s inspiring journey from Panama to the U.S. and his entrepreneurial endeavor in Harlem, New York City.

Jazmin Hernandez, co-owner of Panaderia Jazmin, won a $5,000 business grant to expand her traditional Mexican bakery.
Jazmin Hernandez, co-owner of Panadería Jazmin, won a $5,000 business grant to expand her traditional Mexican bakery.

Jazmin Hernandez, co-owner of Panadería Jazmin, a traditional Mexican bakery nestled in the heart of Mt. Lebanon, and the winner of a $5,000 grant, expressed,

“We are very grateful to Ascender because they are doing an excellent job in thinking about the needs of Latine entrepreneurs; this community fights to obtain access to financial resources to help us grow our businesses.

This $5,000 mini-grant means great financial help that will allow us to take a step forward to grow our business. We have worked very hard to achieve results and fulfill our dream as migrant entrepreneurs. This mini-grant motivates us and encourages us to continue providing quality products to our community; it is a great honor to share our traditions and talent of traditional Mexican bread here in Pittsburgh, a city that has opened many doors for us.

We appreciate the existence of organizations like Ascender, who show their interest and love for us, small business owners.”

The winners of Ascender’s Latine Business Grants:

🍰 Jazmin Hernandez, Panadería Jazmin — $5,000 Grant Winner
💍 Rainy Leonor-Lake, MINIMO — $4,000 Grant Winner
🎒 Jocelyn Avila, Clark Morelia — $2,000 Grant Winner
💻 Ernesto Peroche, Cipax — $2,000 Grant Winner
🚗 Isaiah Rodgers, Clutch Car Management — $1,000 Grant Winner
✒️ Sara Eve Rivera, PMA Tattoo — $500 Grant Winner
🎮 Emanuel Quezada Garzon, Logo Games — $500 Youth Grant Winner

Ascender awarded 7 mini-grants totaling $15K to local Latine-owned businesses on October 14, 2023.
Ascender awarded 7 mini-grants totaling $15K to local Latine-owned businesses on October 14, 2023.

The Latine mini-grant program marks the second of two remarkable initiatives that Ascender has brought to fruition this year. In a partnership earlier this February, Ascender collaborated with Dollar Bank and Duolingo to award mini-grants to Black founders within our region. These initiatives underscore Ascender’s unyielding commitment to fostering diversity, empowering entrepreneurs, and catalyzing the growth of innovative businesses throughout our community.

Check out the winners on our website and consider donating to this multi-year campaign here: https://ascenderpgh.com/hhm-grants/

Connect with us

Learn more about Ascender: https://ascenderpgh.com/
Sign up for our newsletter or send us a note: info@ascenderpgh.com
Follow us: Twitter — Facebook — LinkedIn — Instagram

From fledgling tech companies, healthcare innovators, and nonprofits to makers, creators, services and shops, Ascender is for Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurs. We help businesses of all types in the Pittsburgh region start and build a business through education and connectivity. See how Ascender can help you.

Ascender Awards $15,000 to Latine Entrepreneurs was originally published in Ascender on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.