After a competitive selection process conducted by a panel of industry experts and community leaders, the CNMI Innovation Incubator at Northern Marianas College recently selected 14 local startups to receive one-on-one mentorship, marketing guidance, strategic planning, and access to essential resources such as supplies and equipment.
Applications from Saipan, Tinian and Rota were scored on criteria including program goal alignment, innovation potential, feasibility, economic and community impact, sustainability, business stage and demonstrated need. While all applications showed promise, the selection panel prioritized proposals with clear justifications, comprehensive planning and a compelling vision for growth within the CNMI.
The fourteen selected startups are:
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Owner Name and Business |
About Them |
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Joshua Cook – CNMI Central (Pacific Pact, LLC) |
CNMI Central will be a local shopping tool and directory, serving as the island’s most robust website and mobile app. |
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Stephen Sablan – Marianas Churisos Company, LLC |
Marianas Churisos Company specializes in producing high-quality Chamorro-style sausages rooted in the rich culinary traditions of the Northern Mariana Islands. |
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Chris Yang Zhu – Crownway Green Energy Company |
Crownway Green Energy (Crownway) is a locally founded business committed to helping families and communities in the CNMI gain access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
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Thomas Joe Sablan – Highlands Lawn Care |
Highlands Lawn Care focuses on delivering eco-friendly, professional, and culturally respectful landscaping services tailored to the unique island environment.
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Benusto Lisua – Bwiibwii’s Professional Lawncare Services |
Bwiibwii’s Professional Lawncare Services offers eco-friendly lawn care and yard maintenance designed to keep outdoor spaces clean, safe, and beautiful.
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Daisy Demapan – Bishu™ Marianas |
Bishu™ Marianas is a test kitchen and food manufacturing business that has spent years on research and development to enhance Chamorro product marketability and consumer placement.
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Isa Belle Seman – Krafting Littles |
Krafting Littles is a creative small business specializing in custom-made party crafts designed to make celebrations memorable without the high cost of a party planner.
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Sakurako Halstead – SakuBloom |
SakuBloom is a floral arrangement service company that provides arrangements with a personal touch as well as workshops to educate individuals interested in becoming floral creators.
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Tina Tudela – Bobole’s Novelties |
Bobole’s Novelties is a faith-driven business dedicated to providing quality, faith-based merchandise that promotes religious culture within the community.
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Samantha Salamon – Samantha Salamon Studio |
Samantha Salamon Studio is a professional photography business based in Saipan with over 15 years of experience, including more than three years in full-time operation.
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Jordan Ruiz – Paradise Lyric House, LLC |
Paradise Lyric House, LLC is an independent music and creative brand dedicated to producing and performing original music, creating high-quality content, and offering community-focused musical experiences.
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Cornessa Dela Cruz – Chance Boy’s
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Chance Boy’s is a small but growing food business that creates desserts and meals inspired by the local flavors of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Tito Manglona – Kanu’ Fresku (Tinian) |
Kanu’ Fresku is a home-based catering business that provides fresh, flavorful meals fusing Mexican and Chamorro cuisine while promoting cultural pride, food sustainability, and local economic development through a farm-to-table mobile food service.
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Edwina Bermeo – A&E Enterprises (Rota) |
A&E Enterprises is a small, family-owned business on Rota, CNMI that provides essential community services, including biweekly trash collection, lawn and ground maintenance, and locally grown vegetable produce. |
This one-year program will provide entrepreneurs with tailored business development support and access to a dedicated makerspace at the Innovation Incubator Space, designed to foster collaboration and hands-on innovation. All equipment and supplies provided will remain the property of the CNMI Innovation Incubator program and will be loaned to participants for up to one year, after which they must be returned. Participants will not receive cash; instead, all procurement will be managed directly by the CNMI Innovation Incubator team. Support will be customized to the specific needs of each business, meaning resources will vary—one entrepreneur may focus on marketing, another on business development or training, and others on equipment or specialized tools.
NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, stated, “This is a milestone moment for entrepreneurship in the CNMI. By investing in our local innovators, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient, diverse, and opportunity-rich economy for our islands. We are proud to support these trailblazing entrepreneurs through the CNMI Innovation Incubator program.”
Program Manager Cherese T. Palacios added, “Each one of these startups represents a dream rooted in our community. We’re here to guide and empower these entrepreneurs, helping them navigate their paths toward long term success and positive change in our community.”
Follow us on Instagram at @cnmisbdc and on Facebook at CNMI Small Business Development Center Network. We’ll be introducing each innovator and highlighting their progress and inspiring journeys throughout the year—stay connected and join us in supporting local innovation in the CNMI!
For more information, contact the CNMI Innovation Incubator team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call (670) 488-1661/1662, or visit www.cnmisbdc.com/innovationincubator.
Funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.