Launch Your Business in Los Alamos!
The Los Alamos Business Accelerator is a hands-on program designed to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving businesses.
The program was created in 2021 to bring more locally owned businesses to downtown Los Alamos. By filling vacant storefronts and supporting new ideas, the program helps create a lively, welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
Our goals are to support sustainable small business growth, activate vacant downtown spaces, strengthen the local economy, and foster innovation.
The Fourth Accelerator Cohort will begin in Q4 of 2026.
Who It’s For
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Aspiring entrepreneurs with strong ideas
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Early-stage businesses ready to grow
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Retail, food & beverage, and service-based businesses
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Individuals seeking access to space, funding, and mentorship
Key Benefits
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Hands-on training and expert mentorship
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Access to funding opportunities and financial guidance
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Pop-up retail and incubator spaces to test and grow concepts
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A strong network of community partners and ongoing support
Why Join Our Business Accelerator Prgram?
Training & Mentorship
Participants receive hands-on training in business planning, branding, marketing, operations, customer experience, financial management, and workforce development, along with mentorship from industry professionals and local partners.
Retail Spaces
Entrepreneurs can test ideas through short-term pop-up storefronts or grow their business in a dedicated 150 sq ft incubator space for 9–12 months. These rent- and utility-free environments are designed to minimize risk and support early-stage success.
Financial Support
We help reduce barriers to starting a business by providing access to grants, funding opportunities, and personalized financial guidance to navigate the process with confidence.
Our support doesn’t stop at launch. Participants continue to receive mentorship, build valuable connections, and access long-term resources as their businesses grow and evolve.
Ongoing Support
Program History
Since launching in 2021, the accelerator has supported multiple cohorts and helped launch more than a dozen businesses. The program continues to evolve, now offering longer-term incubator spaces to help entrepreneurs scale and transition into permanent locations. Today, these businesses, including bookstores, cafés, retail shops, and creative ventures, play a key role in shaping the character and energy of Los Alamos.
Featured Alumni
Our alumni continue to grow and contribute well beyond the program—creating jobs, hosting events, collaborating with other businesses, and helping define the identity of downtown Los Alamos.
What Participants Are Saying
Scott Baird & Kate Kudynska, Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Café
“MainStreet and the Chamber of Commerce really helped get our feet under us. The pop-up store is where we got our start! Thank you to all the staff at Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce for their hard work and dedication and seeing things through!"
Jill Lang, Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse
"Ryn Herrmann, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and Lauren McDaniel, Director of Los Alamos MainStreet, put in countless hours to help prospective business owners refine their ideas and business plans. In addition to LACDC’s investment, the Retail Accelerator program was also funded by a New Mexico Economic Development Department LEADS grant, as well as support from New Mexico MainStreet and LANL Community Partnerships Office. Their creative thinking, hard work, and willingness to try something different in Los Alamos, as well as the incredible support from our community, have led directly to the space-sharing partnership that Samizdat has been able to form with the Los Alamos STEAM Lab."
Jonathan LeDuc, Wheeed!
"Thank you to the Los Alamos Chamber and MainStreet programs of Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (LACDC), for the retail accelerator program. The best small business program we have ever seen in Los Alamos! This new program has allowed four new local businesses to test their retail concepts in town. Thanks to all of the presenters of the retail accelerator, we learned a lot every week. A super huge thank you to the Chamber director and the LACDC director for ALL of their efforts, hours, and hard work!! Thanks for selecting Wheeed LLC for Phase 2 of the retail accelerator, we are super excited to have a storefront."
Retail Accelerator Survey (feedback was anonymous):
“Thanks! I think this is one of the most valuable entrepreneurial programs I have seen in Los Alamos. Three new Los Alamos businesses are operating in a retail space because of this program and that's great on so many levels.” “Lots of positive feedback from the community that, finally, somebody tried something instead of just complaining.”
In the News
Pi-239 Pizzeria Expands With SALA Event Center Collaboration
‘Hungry Bear’ Food Truck To Open July 17 In White Rock
Scenes from Wolf & Mermaid Cafe Celebrating New Location
The Man Behind Los Alamos Golf & Games
Los Alamos Business Accelerator Helps Startups Get Going
Scenes From Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters And Los Alamos Golf & Games On Small Business Saturday
Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Cafe Appreciates Support, Encouragement And Assistance From Community
Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters Opens For Business!
Two 2022 Pop-Up Shops To Hold Soft Openings Saturday Morning
Los Alamos STEAM Lab And Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse Announce Collaboration
Los Alamos MainStreet And Chamber Programs Help New Businesses Transition To Community
Letter To The Editor: Thanks Los Alamos For Embracing Cannabis
‘Goodnight Los Alamos’ Author Whitney Spivey To Sign Copies Of Her Book At Samizdat Bookstore Friday
New Retail Pop-Up Stores Coming To Downtown Los Alamos This Holiday Season
Los Alamos Retail Accelerator Program Applications Now Open
Los Alamos seeks to spark small-business growth with accelerator program
Sponsors
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