StartUp Texas Seed Fund & Accelerator Program

The StartUp Texas Seed Fund & Accelerator Program is a highly competitive, intensive 8-15 week program designed for courageous entrepreneurs, creative business founders, and high-growth startups. It targets for-profit companies and eBridge Center Incubator Members with a business model and a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) completed or near completion, who are actively seeking early-stage funding. The program aims to help companies effectively scale, properly evaluate market research, fine-tune financial projections, and foster valuable connections with local business leaders and fellow founders in the Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley startup community. The accelerator utilizes the AdvanceUp Accelerator Curriculum from the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center. Selected founders are required to meet at designated times at the eBridge Center for specialized workshops, mentorship sessions, and pitch practices, committing a minimum of 4-6 hours per week. The program culminates in a public Demo Day where startups pitch to the community and potential investors. StartUp Texas offers two cohorts annually, including specialized tracks like the "Emerging Industries Program" which focuses on sectors such as software, green-tech, bio-tech, heavy manufacturing, energy, medical innovations, cybersecurity, digital health, e-commerce, automation, and environmental technology. While the accelerator program is open to any startup in the Rio Grande Valley, seed funding is primarily for businesses located or willing to relocate to Brownsville, Texas. Founders who successfully complete the accelerator are eligible to apply for the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation's (BCIC) Advancement Fund, which provides up to $10,000 in reimbursements for qualified startup expenses.

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), along with key stakeholders, reviews applications and selects no more than 10 companies for each cohort. Interviews may be conducted to better understand program fit.