BCIC Announces Startup Texas SBIR/STTR Innovation Pitch Competition Judges

Brownsville, TX – Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has selected the panel of judges for the upcoming StartUp Texas Innovation Pitch Competition. The event is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization, located at 1304 E Adams St, Brownsville, TX 78520.

The panel of judges includes:

Jesus "Jesse" Cano
Jesus “Jesse” Cano is an accomplished engineer and a passionate advocate for advancing manufacturing in the Rio Grande Valley. With nearly 20 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, and design across various industries, Jesse has held key roles at GE Aviation, GE Power, Superior Energy Services, and Baker Hughes. A native of the Rio Grande Valley, he joined the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2017, where he leverages his expertise to help local manufacturing and service companies achieve continuous improvement, boost productivity, and reduce waste through strategic consulting, hands-on coaching, and training.

Rubén Cantú
Rubén Cantú, social entrepreneur and educator, joined the University of Texas at Austin in 2018, establishing the Office of Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where he was Executive Director and Assistant Professor for undergraduate and graduate students. Through initiatives like the Product Prodigy Institute and WIELD Texas, he’s mentored over 100 students in entrepreneurship and leadership. He now runs LMNTS, an educational tech company equipping underserved communities to be entrepreneurs and innovative changemakers. Frontera Leadership Institute is his latest pilot in Brownsville, Texas. A global consultant in DEI, social impact, and community building, he co-founded the Community Resilience Trust during the pandemic, focusing on citywide equity. Rubén’s accolades include Austin Under 40 for Youth and Education (2023), DivInc’s Spacemaker of the Year (2024), Tribeza Magazine’s People of the Year (2020), and Austin Area Research Organization’s McBee Fellow (2022). In 2024, he was recognized as ACC Outstanding Alumni and received the Presidential Volunteer Community Service Award from the Biden Administration. Outside work, he’s dedicated to community building, music, and Jeopardy.

Eduardo Cerda
Eduardo Cerda, Founder and CEO of One Tap MX, brings over 30 years of expertise in implementing technology solutions for companies like Aspel, Brother International, IBM, and Microsoft. Currently focused on launching international projects with specialized cloud solutions in finance, retail, and manufacturing, his work emphasizes data and AI. He collaborates with universities such as Tec de Monterrey and the University of Texas (RGV), contributing to entrepreneurship through teaching, curriculum design, and event participation. As the Latin America Chairman of the Microsoft Certified Distributors Association, Eduardo facilitates business development and fosters opportunities between Latin America, Spain, and the U.S.

The competition will feature six innovative startups:

• Ethan Atlan – AccuCell Biotechnology
• Javier Becerril – Sensapath
• Stephanie Pazos – Heroica Technologies
• Arnie Tyler – MerLion Advisory Group
• Douglas Best – The Partnership Institute
• Eloy Garza – Career Bridge

The StartUp Texas Innovation Pitch Competition offers a unique opportunity to witness local entrepreneurial talent. We invite members of the press, business leaders, and community members to join us tomorrow at the eBridge Center. Attendees will have the chance to observe innovative pitches, network with professionals from various industries, and gain insights into the emerging businesses that may shape our region's economic future.