Troy University’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship and economic opportunity across borders was recently represented on an international stage as Juliana Bolivar, Center Director of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network at Troy University, participated as a speaker at INC Monterrey, one of Latin America’s leading gatherings focused on innovation, business development and economic growth.

Hosted by Tecnológico de Monterrey, the annual event brings together entrepreneurs, universities, industry leaders and ecosystem builders from across the region to exchange ideas and strengthen pathways for small business success. Within this global platform, Bolivar contributed to programming aligned with international small business and microenterprise initiatives, including “Día PyME,” a dedicated space focused on strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises as drivers of economic mobility.

Bolivar’s session, “SBDC: Plataforma para hacer negocios con Estados Unidos,” explored how structured business support systems can guide entrepreneurs seeking to enter or expand within the U.S. market. Drawing from the experience of the SBDC network, she shared how business owners can navigate regulatory requirements, access technical assistance and build sustainable operations through advisory models designed to support them at every stage of growth.

Her participation reflects Troy University’s broader role in connecting local expertise to global conversations. Through the work of the SBDC, the University continues to serve as a resource for entrepreneurs across Southeast Alabama while also contributing to international efforts focused on strengthening small business ecosystems.

Central to this engagement is the leadership of the Troy University Sorrell College of Business, whose continued support has enabled opportunities for collaboration with peer institutions across borders. By fostering these connections, the College is helping position Troy University as a partner in efforts that extend beyond the classroom and into real-world economic development.

Bolivar noted that participation in INC Monterrey created an opportunity not only to share Troy University’s approach, but also to learn from other regions addressing similar challenges.

“Many of the barriers we see in rural Alabama—access to capital, workforce constraints and long-term business sustainability—are the same challenges faced by communities around the world,” Bolivar said. “Being part of this conversation allows us to share what is working locally, while also learning from others and identifying ways we can collaborate to bring more resources and opportunities back to our communities.”

These exchanges reflect a growing recognition that entrepreneurship is increasingly interconnected, requiring collaboration between institutions, regions and countries. As part of that effort, Troy University continues to demonstrate how applied business support, academic leadership and community engagement can work together to create meaningful impact both locally and globally.

Through opportunities like INC Monterrey, Troy University is not only elevating its presence on an international stage, but also strengthening its mission to support entrepreneurs, expand economic opportunity and build resilient communities across Alabama and beyond.