StartUp Texas Announces Winners of SBIR/STTR Innovation Competition

Brownsville, Texas - The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) announced the results of its StartUp Texas SBIR/STTR Innovation Competition, awarding a total of $77,500 to six innovative startups. The event, held on September 12, 2024 at the Centro eBridge in Downtown Brownsville, marked the culmination of an intensive 10-week accelerator program aimed at fostering entrepreneurship in Brownsville, Texas.

The latest iteration of the StartUp Texas Accelerator program is dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with commercialization potential with comprehensive preparation to apply for Federal Research and Research and development grants.

The competition showcased the following winners:

First Place ($40,000): AccuCell Biotechnology
Ethan Atlan's venture develops in-vitro devices that biomimic human tissues, leveraging NASA technology to potentially revolutionize drug discovery and reduce animal testing.
Second Place ($20,000): Heroica Technologies
Led by Stephanie Pazos, this company advances photonics research, focusing on improving photonic integrated circuits and optical communication systems.
Third Place ($10,000): The Partnership Institute
Douglas Best's initiative creates engaging, high-quality distance equitable learning experiences and addresses bilingual and education needs.

"The success of these startups highlights the innovative talent within our city," said Cori Peña, President & CEO of BCIC. "Over the last 3 years, programs like StartUp Texas have demonstrated how vital they are for fostering entrepreneurship and driving economic growth in Brownsville."

Three startups received Honorable Mentions, each awarded $2,500:

Sensapath (Javier Becerril): Developing AI-powered assistive technology for the visually impaired.
MerLion Advisory Group (Arnie Tyler): Specializing in marine technology using unmanned systems for maritime safety and ecosystem monitoring.
Career Bridge (Eloy Garza): Connecting students, educators, and businesses to create real-world learning experiences.

The success of this year's competition builds on the program's growing momentum, which has been recognized nationally with the Gold Rank Award in the Entrepreneurship category at the 2021 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference.

"We are immensely proud of the entrepreneurs who participated in this program," said Nathan Burkhart, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at BCIC. "Their dedication and innovative ideas exemplify the unique, loud, and unstoppable spirit that thrives in our community."

The StartUp Texas Accelerator program a collaboration between BCIC, UTRGV's Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center, and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), continues to drive innovation in Brownsville. Since its launch, the program has awarded over $577,500 to 29 businesses across all cohorts, promoting entrepreneurship and boosting economic growth in Brownsville.

About StartUp Texas
StartUp Texas, established in 2019, is a dynamic accelerator program based in Brownsville that provides entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and resources to scale their operations. A collaborative initiative by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, the program supports founders across various industries through specialized workshops and networking opportunities. The 12-week program ends with a Demo Day, presenting startups to a broad audience, including potential investors, to foster regional growth and innovation. StartUp Texas believes that everyone can be the founder of something great and is committed to developing an open and inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Rio Grande Valley.

About BCIC
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development organization dedicated to connecting people, organizations, and economic resources to elevate the quality of life in Brownsville. For more information about available programs, visit www.brownsvillecic.com. For media inquiries, please contact Nelson Amaro, Director of Marketing & Communications, at namaro@bcic.us.