This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the changing landscape of small business support in San Antonio through the lens of Launch SA—a city-backed resource center for entrepreneurs and business owners. Now operating under a new partnership with Geekdom and led by director Matthew Espinoza, Launch SA is navigating a critical moment of transition and growth nearly a decade after its inception.

Guest host Cory Ames sits down with Espinoza to discuss how Launch SA is responding to post-pandemic challenges, the evolving needs of local founders, and what the organization’s recent relaunch means for San Antonio’s broader business ecosystem.

They cover:

• How Launch SA’s mission and services have shifted in partnership with Geekdom and the City of San Antonio
• The most common challenges facing San Antonio’s small business owners, including access to capital, uncertainty, and adapting to new technologies
• The role of programming, events, and partnerships in building a sustainable support network for entrepreneurs
• What recent economic growth signals mean for independently owned businesses—and where potential gaps remain
• How community members can engage with and support the city’s local businesses

For listeners tuned in to San Antonio’s economic development, this episode offers a grounded look at the realities and opportunities facing the city’s small businesses, and how local support organizations are working to keep pace.

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