UNLV gets $400,000 grant to boost small

UNLV gets $400,000 grant to boost small-business aid program

The Nevada Small Business Development Center at UNLV operates out of the UNLV Research Park, 8400 W. Sunset Road in Las Vegas, one of two valley locations serving entrepreneurs. JPMorganChase announced a $400,000 grant Thursday to expand the center's advising services for Southern Nevada small businesses and startups. Photo by: Courtesy UNLV

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 11:20 a.m.

JPMorganChase is investing $400,000 in Southern Nevada’s small-business pipeline, awarding a two-year grant to the Nevada Small Business Development Center at UNLV to expand advising for entrepreneurs and startups.

The funding, announced today as part of the bank’s American Dream Initiative, will support hands-on guidance in areas such as investor-ready business plans, market validation and operational readiness. UNLV officials say the grant could help more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, generate over 1,000 jobs, retain about 8,000 positions and launch more than 400 new businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Southern Nevada’s economy, but too many entrepreneurs still face barriers to the capital, guidance and networks they need to thrive,” said David Garcia, head of Las Vegas for J.P. Morgan Private Bank and chair of JPMorganChase’s Nevada Market Leadership Team. “That’s why we’re proud to support organizations like the SBDC at UNLV through our American Dream Initiative.”

The Nevada SBDC, which is managed by the UNLV Office of Economic Development, provides confidential advising, training and resources at no cost to entrepreneurs preparing to start or expand a business. Its services include one-on-one counseling and workshops covering startup planning, marketing, cybersecurity, accounting and human resources.

The new grant builds on previous JPMorganChase support that helped the center expand staffing, advising and industry-specific services across Clark County. Combined with prior funding, JPMorganChase’s philanthropic investment in the program has helped it serve nearly 3,850 clients, mobilize more than $39 million in capital, support more than 7,900 jobs, create more than 1,400 new jobs and help launch or support more than 500 businesses, officials said.

“With JPMorganChase’s support, we provide small businesses with guidance and expertise to navigate the complexities of establishing a commercially sound and impactful startup,” said Zachary Miles, interim vice president for economic development at UNLV.

UNLV interim President Chris Heavey called the bank’s support instrumental to the university’s community mission.

“We are grateful to JPMorganChase for its ongoing support, which enables UNLV to serve thousands in our community each year,” Heavey said.

The American Dream Initiative, launched March 31, plans to provide nearly $80 billion in small-business lending over the next 10 years and aims to grow the number of small businesses the firm serves from 7 million to 10 million.