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StartUp Sprint Overview

StartUp Sprint is designed to help you start your business right. Rio Salado, in partnership with NACCE, will help you get the funds you need to get your startup launched!

Through one-on-one mentorship and funding, you’ll put your first startup pieces into place.

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Who it's for:

  • Open to all students who are currently enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours at Rio
  • All majors welcome
  • Students with new startup businesses or established solo businesses
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What you'll gain:

  • One-on-one mentorship
  • Real-time feedback on your start up business
  • Resources to take your idea to the next level
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How it works:

If selected, you will have 30 days to complete the following tasks:

  • Create a small business startup plan telling us all about your business
  • Meet with your StartUp Sprint Mentor
  • File your LLC paperwork, Trade Name certificate, EIN, and Sales Tax License

Once you've taken the above steps, you'll submit receipts for payment for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Secretary of State, and Arizona Dept. of Revenue, approximately $120.

We'll reimburse the cost/fees for setting up your LLC, Trade Name registration in Arizona, your EIN number, and your Sales Tax License.

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Why Are These Steps Important?

  • An LLC for your business provides liability protection along with many other benefits.
  • A Trade Name certificate from the Secretary of State means that no one else in Arizona can use your business name.
  • A Transaction Privilege License or Sales Tax license is a great tool to have, regardless of whether or not you plan to sell taxable merchandise. You can create tax-exempt certificates allowing you to easily purchase at wholesale. When you can prove that the items you purchased are for resale or used in the manufacture of the products you intend to sell, you can buy your cost of goods sold materials tax-free. If you are selling physical products, you'll need to collect sales tax; having your license allows you to submit those taxes.
  • An EIN number protects your identity! You will use it instead of your Social Security number for business transactions.
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Will I Get Help?

Yes, absolutely! You'll be assigned to a mentor who will discuss each of the StartUp tasks with you, help you navigate the process, and answer any questions you have about any small business related topic.

Rio Salado is here to be your one-stop support system as you navigate your entrepreneurial journey.

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How to Apply

Click on the application button below to submit your application once you have the following documents ready. All must be uploaded with your application.

Templates and Forms: 

📄  Simple Business Plan Template
📄  W-9
📄  Marketing Release Form

Save your documents with your name (First, Last) and the name of the document before uploading.

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StartUp Sprint

Your launchpad for starting your business

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Small Business Pitch

Your opportunity to win funding and showcase your venture

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Maya Mack

Business: Cornhusker Cleaning, LLC

Rio Salado Spring 2024 Small Pitch Winner

In June 2021, Mack and her partner moved with their combined six children to Arizona from Nebraska. Wanting to be available for their children, they joined an online service platform and saw an immediate need for cleaning services. Rather than work for someone else, they decided to work for themselves and started a professional company in the West Valley. They focus on common cleaning, deep cleaning, move in/move out cleans and customized cleaning on a one-time or recurring basis.

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Shaniqua Hopkins

Business: 7th Dream Helping Hearts

Rio Salado Spring 2024 Small Pitch Winner

"I am the founder of a non-profit organization that serves pregnant and parenting at-risk teens. They inspire me for two reasons: I learn so that I can guide them and it also shows them that they can further their education, too."

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Andrew Budlong

Business: Happy Days Window Cleaning

Rio Salado Spring 2024 Small Pitch Winner

"Back in 2022, I was a senior in high school, a spunky 17 year old gearing up for college. Then I had a dream to pay for my college completely debt free. I said to myself, 'I'm not going to get a job. I'm going to start my own business.' My business solves what I call the never-ending issue.: no matter the economy, windows get dirty. Happy Days Window Cleaning provides for three elements of one-story homes: cleaning for windows, screens and tracks."

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Dr. Lily Davidov

Faculty Chair
Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate,
Risk Management & Insurance, and Small Business

Dr. Lily Davidov serves as the Faculty Chair for the Accounting and Small Business department at Rio Salado College. With over two decades of expertise in entrepreneurship, executive administration, accounting, finance, and strategic planning, Dr. Davidov brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her academic career spans more than 16 years, encompassing college instruction, curriculum development, and facilitation. Dr. Davidov has held the position of Faculty Chair at Rio Salado College since 2018, demonstrating dedicated leadership in this capacity.

Learn more about Dr. Davidov

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Yolanda A. Facio

Instructional Services Coordinator Sr.
Small Business and Accounting

Yolanda A. Facio is an accomplished entrepreneur with 25 years of experience managing two brick-and-mortar businesses in Phoenix, Arizona. Her extensive background in small business ownership inspired her to pursue a career in higher education, first at Arizona State University and later at Maricopa Community Colleges. At the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), she provided consultation to hundreds of small businesses, leveraging her practical expertise. Currently, Ms. Facio is at Rio Salado College’s Small Business and Accounting department, where she mentors students, manages grant funds to support student entrepreneurs, and serves as an adjunct faculty member teaching small business courses.