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About · New Mexico Startup Alliance
Founders helping founders. Statewide.
NMSA is New Mexico's no-fluff, founder-first community. We bring founders together, put real resources in their hands, and open the relationships and capital that move companies forward.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Founder-first · Peer-driven
The mission
A peer-driven community, built founder-first.
NMSA empowers New Mexican entrepreneurs by building a community where founders actively support one another. That founder-first approach is the cornerstone of statewide economic growth. By partnering with local support organizations and bringing in complementary solutions, we strengthen the broader ecosystem.
Beyond business growth, we offer mentorship, inspiration, and the connections that break down barriers, so the founders who succeed can leave the ladder down for those coming next. It is a simple idea with outsized results: when founders rise together, the whole state rises with them.
The impact so far
300+
Startups supported
500+
Founders helped
750+
Events hosted
How we show up
Founder-first is not a slogan.
01
Founder-first
Every program starts with what a founder actually needs, not what looks good in a brochure.
02
Peer-driven
he best advice comes from someone a step ahead. We put founders in the room with each other.
03
Leave the ladder down
Those who make it reach back. Success here is measured by who you bring up with you.
04
A stronger ecosystem
We partner with local support organizations instead of competing with them, so the whole state benefits.
Board Members in Residence
Local operators leading every cohort.
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Sandra Hirschberg
founder
Founder of New Mexico Startup Alliance and a longtime advocate for New Mexico entrepreneurs. She focuses on connecting founders with the relationships, capital, advisors, and resources needed to grow.
Maureen Woolshlager
COo
I’m an experienced business operations leader with 20+ years of driving strategic growth, optimizing supply chains, and leading cross-functional teams in both corporate and mission-driven environments. My background spans logistics, innovation ecosystems, economic development, and advisory roles for early-stage ventures. All anchored by a commitment to data-informed decisions and authentic relationship-building.
Lauren LoBue
Marketing / Strategy
Entrepreneur and marketing strategist with more than a decade of experience across brand, paid media, and growth. A three-time founder, she works with startups and small teams to turn marketing strategy into measurable business growth.