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.<\/p>\n
The Startup Texas Pitch Fest will highlight the creativity and innovation of local entrepreneurs and is facilitated by programming support from the UTRGV ECC.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d said Nathan Burkhart, VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at BCIC. \u201cUnlike previous programs, where funding was distributed as cash prizes, we\u2019ve 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\u2019re making to foster innovation and build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Brownsville.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Located at 1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville, the eBridge Center is the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Admission to the event is free<\/strong> and open to the public. To attend, visit sutpitchfest25.eventbrite.com<\/strong><\/a> to register.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\nWhat to Expect<\/h3>\n
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