Startup Texas is BCIC's accelerator and seed fund at the eBridge Center. Founders train for 10 to 15 weeks with UTRGV's AdvanceUp curriculum, then pitch at a public Demo Day.
70+
startups incubated
in FY 2024–2025
$430K+
in seed funds awarded
in FY 2024–2025
10–15
weeks of training per cohort
3
tracks to choose from
Impact figures from the BCIC FY 2024–2025 Annual Report.
Startup Texas runs three tracks for different kinds of startups. The accelerator is open to entrepreneurs across the Rio Grande Valley.
Track
For local consumer businesses. Past founders built food brands, fashion, home goods, design studios and trades training.
Meet past foundersTrack
For tech-driven startups. Past founders built health apps, mobility devices, AI tools, space logistics and hydroponics.
Meet past foundersTrack
For projects seeking federal SBIR/STTR research funding, with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.
Meet past foundersThe accelerator is competitive. Pick the track that fits your startup and apply on startuptexas.com.
Workshops, mentoring and pitch practice at the eBridge Center, using UTRGV's AdvanceUp curriculum.
Each cohort ends with a public Demo Day, where startups pitch to the community and a panel of judges.
Open a panel for more.
Better access to capital
Startup Texas tackles limited access to capital. Startups get mentoring, workshops and pitch practice, so they leave with funding and the skills to grow.
BCIC and its partners
Startup Texas is an accelerator and seed fund from BCIC, run in partnership with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation.
From a pitch summit to an accelerator
Startup Texas began as a pitch summit and grew into an accelerator with cohorts every year. In 2023 it partnered with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to support projects seeking SBIR/STTR research funding.
From the FY 2024–2025 annual report
70+ startups incubated and $430K+ in seed funds awarded in FY 2024–2025. Source: BCIC FY 2024–2025 Annual Report.
Not sure which track fits? Talk to the Entrepreneurship & Innovation team.
Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Business Development & Entrepreneurship Officer
