Santander US recently celebrated more than 75 entrepreneurs across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Rhode Island who completed its signature Cultivate Small Business program. In addition to a 12-week food-focused, MBA-level curriculum and mentorship from industry experts, participants collectively received $300,000 in capital grant funding to strengthen and grow their businesses.

With the completion of the program’s eleventh cohort, Cultivate Small Business has now served 830 small businesses and distributed $2.64 million in capital grants – a testament to Santander’s ongoing commitment to help people and businesses prosper while achieving their financial goals.

In alignment with Santander’s global commitment to Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employability, Cultivate Small Business supports early-stage entrepreneurs build and sustain businesses in the food industry, with a focus on historically underserved founders in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. The program is completely free for eligible entrepreneurs.

Each year, the program’s Fall cohort runs from September through November with applications accepted from March through June, and the Spring cohort runs from March through June with applications accepted from November through January. For questions regarding program eligibility or application deadlines, contact CultivateSmallBusiness@Santander.us.