Community

The Emerging Entrepreneur Award aims to lower barriers for small business owners by providing a reduction in vendor fees to participate in events that the Conservancy produces in Civic Center Park. According to statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25% of small businesses in the Mountain region fail within the first year, and 50% fail within 5 years. In the US, only 22% of businesses are owned by Women, and only 21% are owned by People of Color. Because of this, the Conservancy aims to provide the Emerging Entrepreneur Award to vendors that are at least 50% women, minority, and/or LGBTQ-owned. Additionally, we award new businesses (operating for 3 years or less) that are still building their capacity and consider factors such as annual revenue and number of staff (full-time, part-time, seasonal).

Together, we want to increase access to opportunities for upward economic mobility for small business owners from these historically marginalized communities and be a launchpad to success.