Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has opened applications for four upcoming eBridge Business Academy cohorts beginning Oct. 7. The no-cost entrepreneurship program is sponsored by BCIC, facilitated by the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), and held in person at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization in downtown Brownsville.
| Upcoming program dates are: |
| Oct. 7–Nov. 18, 2026: 4–7 p.m., with instruction available in English and Spanish |
| Jan. 20–March 3, 2027: Time to be announced |
| May 19–June 30, 2027: Time to be announced |
| Sept. 15–Oct. 27, 2027: Time to be announced |
Participants must attend all sessions in person. Program dates and times are subject to change.
eBridge Business Academy is a seven-session, cohort-based program for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, and current small business owners. Participants work through business concept development, customer discovery and validation, value propositions and minimum viable products, financial and operational fundamentals, and preparation for launch or growth. Applicants do not need to have a registered business or completed business plan.
The Academy carries forward the former Blueprint Business Program, which BCIC introduced under the eBridge Business Academy name in December 2025. Across both names, the program has graduated more than 350 entrepreneurs. More than 180 entrepreneurs completed the Academy during fiscal years 2024 and 2025 alone.
Program alumni include the owners of Brownsville businesses such as Jolie Petite, Todo Natural, Main Street Deli, Búho Bookstore, Warbler Coffee, 956 Coffee, La Pale Frozen Fruit Bar, Whiskero, and Frontier Beef Jerky, among many other local favorites.
The program is based on UTRGV ECC’s Kauffman FastTrac curriculum and combines structured instruction with insight from local business owners, program alumni, mentors, and subject-matter experts. Graduates can continue working with BCIC, UTRGV ECC, and the broader eBridge network through mentorship, business incubation, workspace, financing resources, and other entrepreneurship programs.
Space is limited. Learn more and apply at www.ebridgebusinessacademy.com.
