The Alamo Colleges District and the City of San Antonio recently marked the graduation of eight small business owners from the Vendor Development Academy. The ceremony took place on December 11.
The Vendor Development Academy, which began in 2011 as the Mentor-Protégé Program, aims to help small and emerging businesses in San Antonio by connecting them with experienced mentors and offering professional development opportunities. Since its start, 103 participants have completed the program’s requirements, which include 24 hours of coursework and a two-year mentorship period focused on building business capacity and sustainability.
This year’s group included representatives from construction, professional services, and goods services sectors. They collectively finished 83 professional development courses and received a total of 156 hours of mentorship.
Graduates from the academy often see significant benefits after completing the program. On average, they report a 150% increase in revenue and a 200% rise in employment numbers.
The Vendor Development Academy is offered at no cost as a one-year training initiative for small businesses. Information about how to apply will be made available in February 2026.
Organizers are also encouraging experienced business leaders to become mentors for future cohorts.
According to organizers, “Through programs like the Vendor Development Academy, the Alamo Colleges District and the City of San Antonio continue to invest in small businesses, economic mobility, and a stronger regional economy.”
