TSL Foundation supports SEED to Sail

Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, center, presents the ceremonial check to CNMI Small Business Development Center Network representatives, led by network director Nadine Deleon Guerrero, fifth left, during the turnover ceremony at the JP Center conference room early this month in support of the SEED to Sail Program. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Tan Siu Lin Foundation donated $2,500 to the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network to support the launching of the SEED (Supporting Entrepreneurship & Economic Development) to Sail program.

SEED to Sail, according to CNMI SBDC network director Nadine Deleon Guerrero, is a guided experience for start-up and early-stage businesses to create and present a pitch to support their application to receive “seed money” to fund their small business venture. For the inaugural program, the CNMI SBDC Network has created two categories, with the first one for new and existing business that has been operating for at least one year and the second one is for those who have been conducting business in the CNMI for over a year.

Tan Siu Lin Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino turned over the donation to Deleon Guerrero and other representatives of the group early this month. The donation is going to the cash prize pot that will be distributed to the winning businesses, which will have their presentation this Friday at GrandVrio Hotel.

In this Friday’s event, CNMI SBDC Network will have five finalists presenting under the businesses operating for at least a year category, while eight entries made the grade for the other category. CNMI SBDC Network, in partnership with the University of Guam Masters in Public Administration Program-CNMI graduating Class of 2023, will award prizes for the Top 3 in the first category and then will select only one winner in the second category. Applicants can win cash prizes as high as $20,000 and they will also get one-on-one counseling through the CNMI SBDC Network, assistance in building a viable business plan, and network with other small business owners and entrepreneurs in the community.

“We would like to thank Tan Holdings and the Tan Siu Lin Foundation for always supporting initiatives that help members of the community, be it in business, education, and sports. This donation will help aspiring businesses earn seed money to start or grow their business,” Deleon Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino praised the CNMI SBDC Network for creating a program that promotes entrepreneurship and economic development and calls on business to take advantage of opportunities like these.

“We’ve all felt the impact of the pandemic on our economy so programs like these give our business community the chance to recover or start a new venture to help create more jobs and generate revenue for the NMI,” Tolentino said. (PR)