Startup Texas

12/19/2025

Louder, bolder, larger! RGV Startup Week is coming back in 2026, and we’re looking for our next speaker line-up!

👉 Apply: https://bit.ly/speakrgvsw26

If you’ve built something, broken something, learned the hard way, or figured out what actually works, this is the moment and place to share it.

The last two events brought together more than 2,600 founders, operators, students, and investors across the Valley.

The conversations sparked new ideas, partnerships, and momentum that didn’t stop when the week ended. We’re building on that energy for an even stronger 2026.

🔏 Speaker submissions close January 20, 2026.
📆 RGV Startup Week 2026 is planned for April 24 – May 1, 2026.

If there’s something you wish someone had told you earlier in your journey, chances are someone here needs to hear it.

12/03/2025

⭐️ If you’ve been sitting on that “we should apply” thought, this is it. LAST CALL to apply to Startup Texas Emerging Industries Accelerator.

• Free 12-week accelerator
• Up to $10,000 grant for graduates
• Mentorship, connections, and targeted resources
• For startups in cybersecurity, digital health, e-commerce, automation, environment, and technology

Since 2019, Startup Texas has supported dozens of startups and awarded $300,000+ in seed funding; more than 150 program participants across cohorts

You’d be joining a proven pipeline of founders who’ve gone on to sharpen pitches, access funding, and pursue federal and regional opportunities.

👉 Apply now: www.bit.ly/SUT2025
(You can save your progress and resume the application)

09/22/2025

09/12/2025

The RGV's boldest startups at the eBridge Center in Historic Downtown Brownsville, Texas during Startup Texas Pitch Fest (September 2025).

Pitching: Rigoberto Lozano with Chariot 360, Alan Salinas with DiaBuddy, Francisco Bazan Orta with Dot, Steve Perez with Fast Port, Erika Mazzola with Noah's Ark, Sebastian Melendez with Shape Cards, Paul Mamakos with Space Ocean, and Ciara Perez with Urban Plants.

In partnership with Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), and UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center (UTRGV ECC).

09/12/2025

Startup Texas SBIR/STTR Demo Day live from the eBridge Center in Historic Downtown Brownsville.

Participants:
AlanSalinas presenting DiaBuddy
Elvis Garza Ramirez presenting HydroGrip
Jose Exiga presenting ngem
Jose Mendez presenting Rayo
Paul Mamakos presenting Space Ocean
Douglas Best presenting Urban Plants

09/04/2025

See what the RGV entrepreneurs are building, from mobility and health to space and energy.

Startup Texas hosts Pitch Fest on Sep 9 and Demo Day on Sep 11 at eBridge Center, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Meet founders, connect with mentors and employers, and help choose the Community Choice winner.

Full Press Release, participants, and RSVP: https://brownsvillecic.com/bcic-invites-the-rgv-to-two-startup-texas-pitch-nights-in-brownsville/

09/02/2025

🚀Two big nights of Startup Texas at eBridge Center coming next week!

1️⃣ Pitch Fest
📅 Tuesday, September 9 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Founders from the AdvanceUp accelerator take the stage with bold new ventures. Enjoy pitches, networking, local food, music, and community awards.

👉 RSVP: https://pitchfest25.eventbrite.com
2️⃣ SBIR/STTR Demo Day
📅 Thursday, September 11 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.
See the SBIR/STTR cohort present ventures built to compete for federal research funding, with awards of up to $40,000 in early-stage support.
👉 RSVP: https://startupdemoday25.eventbrite.com

Both events are free, all ages, and hosted at eBridge Center (1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville). One week, two big stages, endless innovation.

Thanks to our partners at Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (), Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (), eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization (), UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center (), and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station ().

09/02/2025

🚀 Two big nights of Startup Texas at eBridge Center coming next week!

1️⃣ Pitch Fest
📅 Tuesday, September 9 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Founders from the AdvanceUp accelerator take the stage with bold new ventures. Enjoy pitches, networking, local food, music, and community awards.
👉 RSVP: https://pitchfest25.eventbrite.com

2️⃣ SBIR/STTR Demo Day
📅 Thursday, September 11 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.
See the SBIR/STTR cohort present ventures built to compete for federal research funding, with awards of up to $40,000 in early-stage support.
👉 RSVP: https://startupdemoday25.eventbrite.com

Both events are free, all ages, and hosted at eBridge Center (1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville). One week, two big stages, endless innovation.

Thanks to our partners at Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization, UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center, and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.

08/22/2025

Apply: https://www.startuptexas.com/emerging-industries

07/08/2025

The Startup Texas Accelerator provides specialized mentorship, valuable connections, and targeted resources to help you succeed.

Who should apply?
• Innovative companies in the following sectors: cybersecurity, digital health, e-commerce, automation, environment, or technology-related fields.
• Companies with a clear business model and an MVP (complete or nearing completion).
• Founders actively seeking early-stage funding.
• Founders committed to dedicating 4-6 hours weekly to program activities.

Participants who successfully complete our program gain eligibility for the Advancement Fund, which offers up to $10,000 in reimbursements for eligible startup-related expenses.

Throughout the accelerator, participants benefit from expert-led workshops, personalized mentorship, pitch practice sessions, and numerous opportunities to connect with local business leaders and fellow entrepreneurs at the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization.

Applications must be submitted by August 17, 2025. The program runs from September through December, culminating in an exciting Pitch Fest where you will showcase your startup to the community and potential investors.

Apply: http://www.bit.ly/SUT2025

Powered by Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, and UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center.