Ngem is developing a small, affordable emergency backup device aimed at homes with solar panel systems that don’t have battery storage — meant to provide power during outages without the cost of a full battery retrofit. The idea was directly inspired by a Texas winter freeze that knocked out power across the Rio Grande Valley, leaving many solar-equipped homes without backup power since their systems weren’t paired with batteries. The company presented at BCIC’s September 11, 2025 Startup Texas pitch night for the SBIR/STTR Innovation Competition, a program run by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) in partnership with UTRGV’s Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC) and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), alongside DiaBuddy, HydroGrip, Rayo Solar, Space Ocean Corp, and Urban Plants.
Founder Jose Exiga has a background working in residential, commercial, and solar electrical fields, and founded Ngem in September 2022 as a solo creator. When he applied in May 2025, he was still working toward a first prototype, with fabrication support identified as the main near-term need.
At a glance
- Founder: Jose Exiga
- Startup Texas program: 2025 Startup Texas SBIR/STTR Innovation Competition
- Pitched at: Startup Texas SBIR/STTR Demo Day 2025