(a) Each awardee must:
- (1) Offer culturally tailored incubation services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs;
- (2) Use a competitive process for selecting Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to participate in the business incubator; however, awardees may still offer technical assistance and advice to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs on a walk-in basis;
- (3) Provide physical workspace that permits Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to conduct business and collaborate with other Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs;
(4) Provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs including:
(i) Financial education, including training and counseling in:
- (A) Applying for and securing business credit and investment capital;
- (B) Preparing and presenting financial statements; and
- (C) Managing cash flow and other financial operations of a business;
- (ii) Management education, including training and counseling in planning, organization, staffing, directing, and controlling each major activity or function of a business or startup; and
(iii) Marketing education, including training and counseling in:
- (A) Identifying and segmenting domestic and international market opportunities;
- (B) Preparing and executing marketing plans;
- (C) Locating contract opportunities;
- (D) Negotiating contracts; and
- (E) Using varying public relations and advertising techniques;
- (5) Provide direct mentorship or assistance finding mentors in the industry in which the Native business or Native entrepreneur operates or intends to operate; and
- (6) Provide access to networks of potential investors, professionals in the same or similar fields, and other business owners with similar businesses.
- (b) Each awardee must leverage technology to the maximum extent practicable to provide Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs with access to the connectivity tools needed to compete and thrive in 21st-century markets.