San Juan, Puerto Rico – August 13th, 2024 - The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (NPRCC) and parallel18, an entrepreneurship program of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust are excited to announce a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering entrepreneurship, innovation, and business expansion across Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. This collaboration will leverage the strengths and resources of both organizations to provide comprehensive support for business development and growth.
This partnership aims to combine the NPRCC’s extensive network and advocacy capabilities with parallel18’s robust programs and resources for innovation and technology. Together, the organizations will create a dynamic ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs from the initial idea phase through to market expansion and beyond.
The key initiatives of this partnership include the following:
Business incubation and acceleration: joint programs to incubate and accelerate startups, providing entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to new markets.
Policy advocacy: coordinated efforts to advocate for policies that support the growth of businesses and the innovation ecosystem in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.
Resource sharing: leveraging both organizations' resources to offer educational workshops, technical support, and networking events tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Community engagement: Enhancing community outreach to foster a collaborative environment where businesses can thrive and contribute to economic growth.
The partnership was launched with two recent events aimed at empowering the Puerto Rican small business community. The first event was a networking gathering at the P18 HQ in San Juan, where our Puerto Rico VP of Small Business Development, DJ Lampitt, had the opportunity to present the NPRCC's value proposition to a group of P18 Alumni. The discussion centered on how the NPRCC can assist Puerto Rican businesses in expanding to the mainland U.S.
The second event was a virtual webinar in partnership with the Louisville Metro Government and UPS titled Smart Logistics & Supply Chain Optimization in Louisville, KY. The event was focused on the economic incentives and opportunities Louisville offers small, medium, and large businesses.
This partnership marks a significant step in the commitment of both the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce and parallel18 to fostering a thriving business environment that benefits communities in Puerto Rico and beyond. For more information about this partnership, and all of the work being done at The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, visit our website at www.nprchamber.org or email info@nprchamber.org.