COMING UP
1 Million Cups Brownsville and the eBridge Business Academy both earned national recognition at the FastTrac and 1 Million Cups Summit in Kansas City this past week.
Neither program works without the founders who take the stage on Wednesday mornings and the business owners who show up week after week. So we’re throwing a Community Appreciation Celebration on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Join our weekly 1 Million Cups event at 9 a.m. at the eBridge Center, then stick around to network over food and drinks on us.
FUND YOUR NEXT UPGRADE
Wondering what an eBridge Fund loan payment would actually look like? The eBridge Fund site has a payment calculator now, so you can plug in an amount and see the monthly cost before you fill out anything.
The eBridge Fund is BCIC’s low-interest loan for Cameron County small businesses that may not qualify for a conventional bank loan or want a more competitive rate. Loans run from $15,000 up to $50,000, with a fixed rate locked in when your loan is approved. Cero Grados used theirs to buy equipment and renovate, then came back for a second loan to open a second location.
SPONSORSHIPS LUNCH & LEARN
El AFP Texas Coastal Bend Chapter is hosting a Lunch & Learn on Thursday, August 6, and the Brownsville session is right here at the eBridge Center. Amy Canterbury, Development Director for the AHA Heart Ball, will walk nonprofit professionals through a fresh approach to event sponsorship, treating it as a mission-driven partnership instead of a one-time transaction.
You will leave with practical tools to design sponsorship opportunities that line up a sponsor’s brand with your organization’s purpose, measure whether they actually worked, and build partnerships that outlast the event itself. Lunch is provided, virtual attendance is available, and the session is approved for CFRE credit.
📍 Thursday, August 6, 2026 • 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. • eBridge Center, 1304 E. Adams St.
THANK YOU MEMPHIS & KIMBERLY
Our two Home to Texas interns wrapped up their summer at BCIC, closing it out by presenting what they worked on and learned during their time here. They got up to speed fast, asked questions, and pitched in wherever we needed them.
Kimberly and Memphis are back in Austin now, continuing their studies in mechanical engineering and accounting at the University of Texas. We wish them luck, though neither one seems to need much of it. 🤘
Thank you both for everything. We cannot wait to see where you go next.
MORE FROM BCIC
BCIC’s 5-Year Roadmap is Live
Our BCIC 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is based on your input about what Brownsville needs most: quality of life upgrades, business support, downtown revival, and opportunities that keep talent home. View it here.
BIG Downtown Business Grants
Revitalize downtown Brownsville! If you’re a property owner or tenant, the BIG Program offers matching grants to support your commercial renovations. Make a difference in the heart of our city: brownsvillecic.com/big
Business Financing
Access funding designed for Brownsville entrepreneurs and small businesses. The eBridge Fund provides accessible financing options for those unable to secure traditional loans or seeking better rates. Get started here: ebridgefund.com