SBTDC, Carolina link SMEs with financing options

Entrepreneurs met with financial institution representatives during the Lender Match event to discuss financing options and capital requirements.

The Puerto Rico Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Municipality of Carolina held a Lender Match event to connect small and midsize businesses with financial institutions and capital resources.

The event brought together entrepreneurs and representatives from several financial institutions for one-on-one meetings focused on financing, business expansion and access to liquidity for the sector.

“Emerging opportunities don’t wait. Digitization, expansion or the purchase of inventory require financial agility,” said Ivonne Negrón-Luciano, executive director of the center.

Negrón-Luciano said Puerto Rico is facing “great historical opportunities” in industries such as technology, manufacturing, tourism, health and construction, while many businesses continue to struggle to obtain financing.

“Our goal is for entrepreneurs to be able to obtain capital, so that the lack of liquidity does not stop the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in Puerto Rico,” she said.

Organizers said the event was designed to give business owners an opportunity to discuss their companies’ needs directly with lenders while expanding their professional networks.

Participants also attended educational sessions on financing alternatives for small and midsize businesses, programs for the medical industry, U.S. Small Business Administration offerings and incentives available through Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development and Commerce.

The event included coordinated matchmaking sessions intended to provide confidential meetings between entrepreneurs and financial institution representatives.

“This event was an ideal space to make valuable connections and receive practical guidance to access financial resources,” Negrón-Luciano said.

The center said the initiative was funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the SBA and Inter American University of Puerto Rico.

Editor’s note: The Spanish translation of this page was generated using artificial intelligence and may contain errors. For questions or clarification, please refer to the original English version.

Article by: NIMB Staff
Original article: https://newsismybusiness.com/sbtdc-carolina-link-smes-with-financing-options/

SBA reconoce a empresarios y bancos locales

La Oficina de Distrito de la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, en inglés) en Puerto Rico e Islas Vírgenes Americanas reconoció a varios empresarios y entidades financieras destacadas como parte de la Semana Nacional de los Pequeños Negocios 2025, en una ceremonia celebrada en el Hotel Verdanza en Carolina.

“La fuerza de nuestra economía comienza en las ideas y el trabajo incansable de los pequeños empresarios”, expresó Ricardo Martínez, director de distrito interino de la SBA en Puerto Rico e Islas Vírgenes en declaraciones escritas.

Durante la actividad, se entregaron premios a comerciantes de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes por su desempeño y liderazgo. Yoel Francisco Rivera Santos, de Ultimate Solutions Corp., recibió el galardón de Persona de Pequeña Empresa del Año; mientras que Dulzura Borincana, liderada por Carmen E. Ríos Mendoza y Carlos O. Rivera González, fue reconocida como Pequeña Empresa Exportadora del Año.

“Esta semana, y todas las semanas, celebremos su arduo trabajo, dedicación y el papel vital que desempeñan para hacer que Puerto Rico, las Islas Vírgenes Americanas y nuestra nación sean más fuertes y vibrantes”, indicó el administrador regional del Atlántico de SBA, Matt Coleman.

Rosa María García Flores, de Criolite Corp., fue reconocida como Pequeña Empresa del Año Propiedad de Mujeres. Además, el Centro de Desarrollo de Pequeñas Empresas en Barranquitas, dirigido por Madeline Colón Rivera, recibió el Premio a la Excelencia e Innovación. En la categoría de contratistas, TLC Unlimited LLC (USVI) fue distinguido como Contratista Principal del Año.

La SBA también destacó a las entidades financieras que han respaldado el crecimiento de pequeñas empresas. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico fue reconocido con el Premio Estrella y como Entidad Financiera del Año en la categoría Oro. Oriental Bank y First Bank fueron premiados en las categorías Plata y Bronce, respectivamente.

Asimismo, se reconoció a COFECC y Marketing Small Business Finance, Corp. como Empresas de Desarrollo Certificadas del Año. En las Islas Vírgenes, Merchants Commercial Bank y COFECC recibieron los máximos honores financieros.

La ceremonia reafirmó el compromiso de la SBA con los emprendedores locales y con las instituciones que impulsan el acceso a capital y el desarrollo económico inclusivo en la región.

Puerto Rico SBTDC hosting business summit Dec. 13

By: NimB

To mark its 25th anniversary, the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is inviting the community to participate in the “New trends to empower your vision” business summit Dec. 13, from 8 a.m. at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

Invited speakers are Carlos Cobián, Pedro Hernández, Ivonne Cortés, Horacio Maysonet, Christian Molina and Anllelic Lozada, among other resources, who will present the latest in technology, cybersecurity, talent search, and digital marketing, among other topics.

In addition, a panel of entrepreneurs with non-traditional stories will share their experiences and how they have differentiated their businesses through these new trends.

“Our goal is for business owners to educate themselves and keep up. It is important that they are very attentive to consumer behavior, especially post-pandemic, where there has been a global transformation,” said Ivonne Negrón-Luciano, executive director of the Puerto Rico SBTDC.

“By knowing the latest trends, they will have the tools to modify strategies and know the best solutions. In addition, this event will give them a broader perspective to enhance their vision and improve the experience of their customers,” she said.

“For 25 years the Puerto Rico SBTDC has been an extremely active and valuable program within the InterAmerican University,” said Rafael Ramírez-Rivera, interim president of the university.

“These centers, located on most Inter campuses, exist through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The advice and ongoing education to entrepreneurs carried out by SBTDC consultants has resulted in thousands of new companies and successful entrepreneurs who have created thousands of jobs around the island,” he said.

“We’re very excited about these achievements, and therefore, we invite the entire business community and new entrepreneurs with business ideas to participate in this great event on new trends,” said Ramírez-Rivera.

This activity is open to the business community and the public. Those interested in participating should make a reservation.

Source: https://newsismybusiness.com/puerto-rico-sbtdc-hosting-business-summit-dec-13/

Business Relief Assistance Program

Ante la nueva realidad que enfrentan los negocios por la situación generada por la pandemia, hemos creado un nuevo programa para ofrecer, educación y consultoría individualizada para asistir a los negocios con soluciones efectivas para su continuidad. Los negocios requieren asistencia y gran creatividad, innovación y alternativas digitales para transformar sus operaciones, protegiendo la salud de empleados y clientes. A través del nuevo Business Relief Assistance Program ofrecemos libre de costo asesoría empresarial y educación en las siguientes áreas:

PR Small Business & Technology Development Center is a partnership program with the SBA, administered by the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. PR-SBTDC programs and services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English/Spanish proficient individuals.

Para información adicional o asistencia empresarial virtual complete la solicitud de asesoría o llámenos al teléfono
(787) 625.1515. ¡Queremos ayudarle a impulsar su negocio!

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