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06/02/2025—Northern Marianas College last month officially launched the CNMI Innovation Incubator Program, a million-dollar initiative aimed at nurturing early-stage entrepreneurs and empowering local businesses across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
At the heart of the new program is a shared belief: Homegrown innovation can lead the CNMI out of its current economic challenges.
“We’re very excited,” said NMC president Dr. Galvin DeLeon Guerrero in an interview. “This was a competitive grant, and we got it. The idea is to help up-and-coming startups—with a particular focus on creativity—and keep that talent here at home.”
The CNMI Innovation Incubator, powered by the CNMI Small Business Development Center at NMC, is a stand-alone program with two dedicated staff and a new office space. The incubator offers hands-on guidance, technical support, training, and eventually access to a maker space, where entrepreneurs can try out tools like 3D printers or laser cutters before investing in their own equipment.
“This program is not about giving seed capital,” said DeLeon Guerrero. “Rather, it’s a business laboratory where startups can test their ideas, get expert mentorship, and access resources without making huge upfront investments.”
The program targets startups that have been operating for at least six months but no longer than five years—a deliberate timeframe meant to catch young businesses still in their formative stages.
“There are many businesses that started during the pandemic and are still trying to find their footing,” he said. “We want to support them before they either scale or stall.”
Program manager Cherese Palacios and Digital Content Marketing coordinator Duncan Laxa are leading the effort.
“We’ve received over 30 applications since opening on May 19, and we’re still accepting more,” Palacios said. “Inquiries are pouring in—from coffee shops to musicians, artists, makeup ventures, furniture builders, even satellite service providers.”
Palacios added that eligibility details and application materials are easily accessible online at cnmisbdc.com/innovationincubator. The deadline to apply is June 13, 2025.
Laxa emphasized that the application process has been made as user-friendly as possible. “We’ve outlined each step on our website,” he said. “Applicants just need to gather a few key documents—proof of residency, business license, tax clearance, financial projections—and submit everything either by email or in person at NMC’s Saipan campus or the Rota and Tinian centers.”
The program does more than just guide new entrepreneurs. It’s part of a broader effort by NMC to stimulate the CNMI economy from the ground up.
“We’re not just looking at outside investors to save us,” Deleon Guerrero said. “We’re investing in our own people. The CNMI has talent, creativity, and drive—we just need to support that with the right tools.”
That includes preparing entrepreneurs to adapt during times of crisis.
“When the pandemic hit, people thought all restaurants would shut down,” he said. “But what happened? We saw the birth of new delivery services and home-based food businesses. That’s resilience. And that’s the kind of innovation we want to support.”
Palacios, who also owns the local business Minds and Muscle, understands the startup struggle firsthand. “Fitness gear, athleisure, workout accessories—we’ve had to adapt and think outside the box. Now I’m excited to help others do the same,” she said.
While Laxa does not currently own a business, he brings years of media and creative experience to the table. “I’ve done videography and content creation,” he said. “That’s how I contribute—by helping startups market their vision and reach their audience.”
The Innovation Incubator is funded by a $1-million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and will support the program for the first few years. Though it does not provide startup capital directly, it complements other services offered by CNMI SBDC, which can help applicants locate funding sources.
DeLeon Guerrero said the CNMI’s future lies in embracing small businesses as the “backbone of the economy.”
“When larger companies fold or leave, it’s the small businesses that hold our community together,” he said. “That’s why this incubator is crucial. It’s our hope in these challenging times.”
Entrepreneurs interested in applying can visit cnmisbdc.com/innovationincubator or email CNMI.incubator@marianas.edu for more information. Applications close June 13, 2025.
By Mark Rabago
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