The Startup Texas Pitch Fest is set to take place on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization in Brownsville, Texas. Organized by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) in partnership with UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), the event will feature live business pitches, networking, local food and music, and a community choice award that allows attendees to help recognize their favorite pitch of the evening.
The Startup Texas Pitch Fest will highlight the creativity and innovation of local entrepreneurs and is facilitated by programming support from the UTRGV ECC.
“This is a deviation from our usual pitch competitions, as everyone who completes our newly redesigned Startup Texas Accelerator program is now eligible for advancement funding to pursue patents, develop prototypes, and scale their businesses right here in Brownsville,” said Nathan Burkhart, VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at BCIC. “Unlike previous programs, where funding was distributed as cash prizes, we’ve invested more resources into the accelerator itself, thanks to funding from the U.S. EDA, to ensure graduates have the tools and opportunities to thrive. The eBridge Center is where ideas turn into action, and Pitch Fest highlights the tangible progress we’re making to foster innovation and build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Brownsville.”
In November 2023, BCIC was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to expand the Startup Texas program over the next three years. The graduates presenting at Pitch Fest represent the first cohort to complete this newly enhanced program.
Located at 1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville, the eBridge Center is the region’s leading entrepreneurial hub, offering collaborative workspaces, business training, and access to funding opportunities. Hosting Pitch Fest at this facility highlights its role as the centerpiece of innovation in the Rio Grande Valley.
Event Details
When: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Where: eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization
Address: 1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville, TX 78520
How to Register
Admission to the event is free and open to the public. To attend, visit sutpitchfest25.eventbrite.com to register.
What to Expect
Live business pitches from local entrepreneurs.
Networking with investors, business leaders, and community members.
Local food and live music showcasing Brownsville’s culture.
A community choice award decided by event attendees.
Applications for the next Startup Texas cohort are open. For more information on the cohort or this event, visit startuptexas.com or follow @startuptexas on social media (@startuptexasofficial on Facebook).
About the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development corporation. It is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development, enhancing quality of life, fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, supporting strategic projects, and cultivating partnerships that support Brownsville’s thriving and vibrant community. BCIC operates under four core pillars. The first is Community Development, achieved through initiatives like the BIG Grants, which support the revitalization and preservation of Historical Downtown Brownsville, and the Quality of Life Grants, designed to enhance the community’s well-being. These grants fund projects that create welcoming and inclusive spaces, improve amenities, and promote activities that benefit residents and visitors. The second pillar is Finance Programs, which support local small businesses by providing financial resources to help them start or expand. This, in turn, creates jobs with livable wages, contributing to the overall economic stability of the region. The third pillar is Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where BCIC supports the entrepreneurial journey with incubation, acceleration, and continuous assistance. Lastly, BCIC’s Marketing and Communications efforts drive public engagement by amplifying the impact of programs, fostering community pride, and promoting Brownsville as an attractive hub for living, working, and investing.
For more information, visit www.brownsvillecic.com. For media inquiries, please contact Nelson Amaro, Director of Marketing & Communications, at namaro@brownsvillecic.com
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.
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