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<\/p>\nBROWNSVILLE, Texas \u2013 The third annual \u201cStartUp Texas Pitch Summit,\u201d hosted by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, is now open and accepting applications. The event will be the first ever in-person version since the program began in March of 2020.<\/p>\n
The Startup Texas Pitch Summit, a live event where early-stage companies pitch their product\/service to industry experts, venture capitalists, and high-profile journalists is happening this Spring. The winning pitch will not only receive $25,000 in startup financing, but they will also get mentorship and support from Brownsville\u2019s eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization.<\/p>\n
BCIC\u2019s Director of Small Business Development, Nathan Burkhart, encourages participation in this program because this competition provides an excellent opportunity to sharpen pitching skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to showcase the best Brownsville and RGV Entrepreneurs we can, as well as let them gain experience for future pitches and meetings with investors,\u201d says Burkhart. \u201cThis event is not only for locals. We\u2019ve had companies from Boston, Monterrey and even Mexico City seeking to expand in our region, participate in our Pitch Summit.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The seed fund program is part of BCIC\u2019s ongoing efforts to foster a sustainable entrepreneurial culture and ecosystem in Brownsville and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley. Burkhart says the organization encourages these types of competitions because it creates an economic empowerment that expands business options and results in positive consequences for the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a terrific opportunity for entrepreneurs to present to industry experts and investors; it\u2019s an opportunity to see how the business works and what enhancements can be made to their service or product in order to compete in their respective markets. We also get a chance to highlight the amazing ventures we have down here, committed to growing in Brownsville and the RGV,\u201d<\/p>\n
The program provides $25,000 in seed funding to enterprises that are attempting to commercialize a product or idea. The funds were established to encourage private investment in businesses with rapid growth prospects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe in the capacity of our community\u2019s human capital,\u201d says Burkhart. \u201cWhen city leaders and entrepreneurs work together, they can create communities with vibrant local economies where startups and small businesses flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program is yet another tool BCIC has developed toward creating an open and inclusive ecosystem of entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause entrepreneurship is an innately human and intensely personal effort, our focus should be on people, on our community, in the coming economy,\u201d said Burkhart.<\/p>\n
Qualifying applicants will compete in-person and virtually for the third annual StartUp Texas Pitch Summit on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, for $25,000.<\/p>\n
The StartUp Texas application window will close on Friday, May 13th, 2022. To apply, read the guidelines, and get additional information, go to StartUpTexas.com<\/p>\n