Breaking Barriers,
growing Businesses
Driving Social Impact and Innovation
San Antonio Venture Development Organization
Emerge and Rise helps established San Antonio businesses scale. We work with small and medium-sized enterprises and high-equity businesses that are past the startup phase and ready for what's next: growth, modernization, or expansion into new markets.
We provide hands-on, personalized support to help you adopt digital tools, strengthen your operations, access procurement and capital opportunities, and build long-term sustainability. Think of us as a growth partner that walks with you, not a one-time workshop.
Ready to take the next step?
SME Expansion Facilitator of the Year - 2025 Go Global Awards, International Trade Council
Our Programs
Help navigating certifications, government contracting, IP protection, and emerging tech readiness so your business can compete for bigger opportunities.
A 12-month concierge program for international SMEs looking to establish roots in the U.S. market through San Antonio, with business setup, B2B matchmaking, and community integration.
Guidance for entrepreneurs and veterans looking to buy an existing business, from finding the right opportunity to navigating the transition into ownership.
Who do we support
At Emerge and Rise™, we work with business owners who are already operating but didn't start with the usual access, connections, or funding. We meet them where they are and help them move forward with clarity.
Business owners preparing to hire, scale, or raise capital
Women-led companies driving innovation across industries
First-generation business owners and international entrepreneurs building in San Antonio
Veterans and transitioning service members ready to lead in business
Entrepreneurs navigating digital tools, funding, or new markets
Emerge and Rise Owner Independence Framework™
One of the biggest issues we see in small business ownership is the “Owner Reliance Trap”—where the founder wears every hat and the business can’t function without them.
Our framework exists to break that cycle.
Through delegation, system design, and wellness-centered growth, we help entrepreneurs build businesses that don’t burn them out—or break when they step away.
Outer Ring: The 4 Anchors – Our Approach
These are the pillars that guide how we serve our entrepreneurs:
1. Empower = Build the human
→ Mindset, confidence, mental health, and healing
2. Equip = Provide the tools
→ Processes, capital access, delegation, infrastructure
3. Educate = Teach the skills
→ Financial/digital literacy, resilience, planning
4. Elevate = Amplify the work
→ Visibility, storytelling, exit readiness, leadership
Middle Ring: The 12 Building Blocks
These are the real-world components an entrepreneur needs to thrive.
From mental health and systems to storytelling and co-creation, this layer reflects what actually builds sustainable businesses, especially for founders from marginalized or underestimated communities.
Inner Ring: The Process – Based on the CESI Model
This ring reflects how we do our work.
It’s based on the Community Engagement & Social Innovation (CESI) model:
Observe + Identify the problem
Integrate + Engage the community
Assess + Innovate solutions
Evaluate + Disseminate impact
This ensures that everything we do is community-driven, inclusive, and evidence-based.
Holistic Entrepreneurship
-
Financial Literacy
We build financial skills into everything we do. Business owners and their teams learn budgeting, investing, and financial planning through hands-on workshops designed for real-world decision-making.
-
Digital Literacy
We help businesses and their teams get comfortable with digital tools, from social media marketing and AI to e-commerce, so they can operate and grow in an increasingly digital world.
-
Founder Wellness
We prioritize mental wellness through workshops on resilience, stress management, and work-life balance. We help entrepreneurs move past the self-reliance trap and learn to build strong teams and lead sustainably.
-
Sustainability
We help small businesses integrate sustainability into their operations with practices that balance profitability, climate impact, and social good for long-term success.
Our Focus Areas
-
Providing necessary tools and knowledge for innovation and financial management, digital skills, and overall business acumen. Promoting new ideas and business models through our programs.
-
Facilitating connections between entrepreneurs, mentors, and community leaders to strengthen the business ecosystem. Ensuring that a wide range of perspectives and ideas are heard and integrated.
-
Offering targeted education and resources in financial and digital literacy, essential for building sustainable businesses and achieving economic independence and generational wealth.
-
Encouraging innovative thinking and adaptation through our tailored Corporate Small Business Programs, aimed at fostering a culture of innovation within larger organizational structures and the broader community.
“I found something truly special, beyond just my art business, I found a like-minded community.”
— DeAnna Brown
AFFILIATIONS
-
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC)
-
World Affairs Council of San Antonio
-
San Antonio Council for International Visitors
-
National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)
-
Grow with Google Impact Partner
-
NATIONAL DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE
-
GLOBAL CYBER ALLIANCE
-
PRO LITERACY
-
NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network)
-
National Coalition for Community Capital
Blog posts, News, and Media Press
Empower Dreams: Join Us in Building Business Futures
Every donation fuels the journey of aspiring entrepreneurs in our community. Your support enables Emerge and Rise to provide essential resources, mentorship, and training to those who need it most. Together, we can transform potential into success. Invest in a brighter future today—every contribution makes a difference!