Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
In collaboration with the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC) celebrated the 1st RISE Up Harlingen Pitch Competition, powered by the Advance Up Accelerator, on October 3, 2024. This highly anticipated event marked a new chapter in Harlingen’s efforts to support early-stage startups and emerging businesses, providing them the platform to showcase their innovative ideas and receive crucial assistance.
The competition drew the attention of local entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community members, all eager to witness the next wave of business innovation in the region. Designed to fuel entrepreneurial growth and foster a supportive ecosystem for small businesses, the event featured nine contestants competing for significant grant awards.
Winners and Prizes
The competition were fierce, but three businesses stood out, walking away with substantial prizes to help propel their ventures forward:
- 1st Place ($30,000): Frank Garcia with Bruskees Spices
- 2nd Place ($20,000): David Carter with SGT. SALSA
- 3rd Place ($15,000): Herbert Castilho with I9 Xtion Automation
Judges for the competition, including Julian Alvarez, David Ortiz, Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat, and Daisy Alcazar, were impressed by the creativity, passion, and potential exhibited by all participants. The energy in the room was palpable, with a sense of excitement for what these businesses could achieve in the future.
The RISE Up Harlingen Pitch Competition culminated months of hard work and preparation by participants in the Advance Up Accelerator program. This initiative launched on July 22, 2024, and provided the entrepreneurs with mentorship, business development support, and the tools they needed to refine their pitches and grow their ventures.
The pitch competition was more than just a contest; it celebrated Harlingen’s entrepreneurial spirit. The top three winners weren’t the only ones to shine. The other six contestants—Erika Shaw with Café 406/Erika’s Gourmet Cookies, Joanne McDermott with Journey to Abundant Wellness, Lita Garcia with Boca ChewLita, Victor Ruben Romero with SkyPrecisions, Robert Esparza with Reconnection Myofascial Release & Wellness LLC, and Samantha Ponce with Sab’s Candy Shop—delivered impressive presentations, further underscoring the vast talent pool in the region.
As Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat, one of the judges, remarked in a post, “All contestants did an excellent job pitching their business! Let’s support all these fabulous small businesses.”
The RISE Up Harlingen Pitch Competition represents the first of what many hope will be an ongoing series of events encouraging innovation and small business development. Entrepreneurs who participate in the competition must agree to establish or continue operating their business in Harlingen to receive their grant awards, ensuring that the local community benefits directly from their success.
The event received widespread support from UTRGV’s Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, Lone Star National Bank, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, and City of Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda, all of whom are committed to driving economic growth in the region by empowering small businesses.
Programs like RISE Up and the Advance Up Accelerator are crucial to catalyzing entrepreneurship and fostering a vibrant ecosystem where innovative ideas can flourish. Harlingen’s first pitch competition not only ignited the entrepreneurial spirit of local businesses but also set the stage for a future filled with growth and opportunity for the community.
With this competition behind them, the city looks forward to many more events that will continue to elevate its reputation as a hub for small business success.
The UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, Lone Star National Bank, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, and Mayor Norma Sepulveda of the City of Harlingen all played key roles in supporting the event.
