Santander US celebrates this year a decade of expanding access to education, capital, and networks for entrepreneurs across the country with Cultivate Small Business. First launched in 2017, the new Cultivate Small Business Ten-Year Programmatic Report highlights how the program has supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, invested more than $10 million in programming, and provided $3.5 million in direct capital grants.
“For 10 years, Cultivate Small Business has been about investing in entrepreneurs and the potential they see for their businesses and communities. By bringing together high-quality education with access to funding and mentorship, we’re helping business owners put their ideas into action and build for the future. We’re proud of what more than 1,000 entrepreneurs have accomplished and excited about the opportunities ahead as Cultivate enters its next decade.”
Leah Daly
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability, Santander US
At the heart of the program is an immersive experience designed to help entrepreneurs in underserved communities turn their ambitions into actionable plans for success. Eligible participants complete a 12-week, MBA-style program delivered in partnership with Babson College, covering topics including financial management, market analysis, growth strategies and hiring. Every graduate also receives an unrestricted Santander capital grant ranging from $2,500 to $20,000.
“Cultivate Small Business was a gamechanger for our business. I met and learned from a ton of remarkable, engaged, small business owners in both my industry and my area, as well as the amazing teams at Babson and Santander. A year later, I still find myself using the tools, strategies, and advice they offered, as well as the action plan and projections I generated. ”
Nima Etemadi
Co-founder and CEO of Cake Life Bake Shop in Philadelphia and alumnus of the program’s sixth cohort
A 2025 survey of program alumni found average annual revenue growth of 31% over a two-year period, while 35% of respondents doubled their full-time workforce.[1] A separate alumni survey found that 58% received outside funding after the program, and 90% would recommend Cultivate to their peers.[2]
This year, Cultivate reached its broadest geographic footprint yet. More than 400 businesses across 41 states applied for the Spring cohort, the most in program history, with 95 entrepreneurs from 16 states ultimately participating.
As Cultivate Small Business enters its second decade, Santander plans to continue building on the program’s network and connecting entrepreneurs with the education, capital, and relationships that can help their businesses continue to grow.
Learn more about Cultivate Small Business, including program details and eligibility.
[1] Data collected via alumni survey conducted in 2025 outlining revenue growth and FTE growth spanning 2023-2025 and featuring responses from 140 program alumni. Two-year revenue growth outlines performance spanning 2023 to mid-June 2025 and represents a projection of full-year 2025 performance.
[2] Data collected via survey conducted by Babson in 2025 featuring responses from 150 program alumni.