September 11, 2025 · eBridge Center, Brownsville
Six Rio Grande Valley startups closed out a 12-week SBIR/STTR accelerator by pitching for up to $40,000 in early-stage assistance, awarded to the top three companies. The program helps deep-tech companies build toward federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants, run through BCIC’s partnership with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.
The startups
DiaBuddy
Alan Salinas, Founder
A single app to streamline diabetes management, built for simplicity and equity.
Company profile
HydroGrip
Elvis Garza Ramirez, Founder
Water bottle with a built-in grip strengthener for fitness, stress relief, and therapy.
Company profile
Ngem
Jose Exiga, Founder
Affordable emergency backup for solar homes without battery storage, inspired by Texas freeze outages.
Company profile
Rayo Solar
Jose Mendez, Founder
Off-grid, insulated sheds powered by solar, wind, or geothermal with integrated storage.
Company profile
Space Ocean Corp
Paul Mamakos, Founder
Building the supply chain for water in space to support long-duration missions.
Company profile
Urban Plants
Ciara Perez / Douglas Best, Founder
Vertical hydroponics for food deserts and space use, using biomimicry and NASA-inspired methods, with inclusive hiring.
Company profile
Judges
- Ashutosh Panpalia, Zoho Technologies
- Katie Milton Jordan, SimpleEDO.ai
- Agustin Martinez, AMYCO Telecomms
Pitch videos
Award winners
- Grand Prize, $40,000: HydroGrip
- 1st Runner-Up, $20,000: Urban Plants
- 2nd Runner-Up, $10,000: Rayo Solar
- Honorable Mention, $2,500 each: DiaBuddy, Ngem and Space Ocean Corp
Photos
Want to pitch at the next one? See the current Startup Texas tracks and apply.