Texas Border Business
The Startup Texas Pitch Fest is set to take place on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization in Brownsville, Texas. Organized by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) in partnership with UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), the event will feature live business pitches, networking, local food and music, and a community choice award that allows attendees to help recognize their favorite pitch of the evening.
The Startup Texas Pitch Fest will highlight the creativity and innovation of local entrepreneurs and is facilitated by programming support from the UTRGV ECC.
“This is a deviation from our usual pitch competitions, as everyone who completes our newly redesigned Startup Texas Accelerator program is now eligible for advancement funding to pursue patents, develop prototypes, and scale their businesses right here in Brownsville,” said Nathan Burkhart, VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at BCIC. “Unlike previous programs, where funding was distributed as cash prizes, we’ve invested more resources into the accelerator itself, thanks to funding from the U.S. EDA, to ensure graduates have the tools and opportunities to thrive. The eBridge Center is where ideas turn into action, and Pitch Fest highlights the tangible progress we’re making to foster innovation and build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Brownsville.”
In November 2023, BCIC was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to expand the Startup Texas program over the next three years. The graduates presenting at Pitch Fest represent the first cohort to complete this newly enhanced program.
Located at 1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville, the eBridge Center is the region’s leading entrepreneurial hub, offering collaborative workspaces, business training, and access to funding opportunities. Hosting Pitch Fest at this facility highlights its role as the centerpiece of innovation in the Rio Grande Valley.
Event Details
When: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Where: eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization
Address: 1304 E. Adams St., Brownsville, TX 78520
How to Register
Admission to the event is free and open to the public. To attend, visit sutpitchfest25.eventbrite.com to register.
What to Expect:
Live business pitches from local entrepreneurs.
Networking with investors, business leaders, and community members.
Local food and live music showcasing Brownsville’s culture.
A community choice award decided by event attendees.
Applications for the next Startup Texas cohort are open. For more information on the cohort or this event, visit startuptexas.com or follow @startuptexas on social media (@startuptexasofficial on Facebook).
Meet the Entrepreneurs
- PayMyLawyer LLC – Daniel Pizaña
A comprehensive legal payment processing platform that streamlines financial management, enhances client acquisition, and facilitates case referrals within a vetted legal network. Built for attorneys and legal professionals who often face significant challenges when it comes to managing payments from clients. Features include fast and secured transactions, effortless reconciliation, multiple payment tracking, customizable payment categories, and an online lawyer network that enhances collaboration between industry leaders. - ZenBuddy – Sonya Ramsey
ZenBuddy addresses the significant lack of cultural diversity and ancient wisdom practices in existing mindfulness resources, creating an app that centers on inclusivity and emotional well-being for young users and their families. Many current mindfulness tools fail to resonate with diverse audiences, leaving individuals disconnected from their benefits. Their app offers culturally relevant guided meditations, interactive exercises, and educational materials that reflect users’ backgrounds, fostering familiarity and belonging. While they face competition from apps like Headspace for Kids and Calm Kids, their unique focus on cultural relevance, family engagement, and community connection sets them apart. With interactive features, expert contributions, and a commitment to accessibility, ZenBuddy empowers families to thrive in their everyday lives, bridging the gap in mental health and wellness support. - Shopping Ecosystems LLC – Carlos Ramirez
Shopping Ecosystems LLC aims to address the underutilization of Texas’s Manifiesto program, which offers tax refunds on merchandise purchased by international shoppers. This program suffers from issues like fraud and lack of measurable benefits for retailers, leading shoppers to miss out on its advantages. Our solution is to create a loyalty program that simplifies the tax refund process for local retailers, specifically targeting international shoppers and encouraging repeated spending in our region. Unlike competitors like Tax Free Shopping and 4N Service, our app allows users to create accounts that streamline the tax refund process, track their refunds, and access local offers and deals. In the next six months, we plan to build the app and establish relationships with customs brokers to ensure compliance with the Texas Tax Code. - Velox Global Solutions LLC – Steve Perez
Velox Global Solutions LLC addresses the critical issue of not producing receipts when loading, which can lead to inefficiencies and trust issues in logistics. Our solution involves immediately digitizing the bill of lading (eBOL), assigning a unique pro# and signing it with a digital pen, followed by sending a secure receipt via email. This email includes a SHA256 security hash, ensuring that the receipt cannot be manipulated or corrupted, thus providing trust in the eBOL. Unlike competitors such as the BOL app by Snappii and traditional paper-based solutions, our approach minimizes data entry requirements, preventing drivers from reverting to cumbersome paper bills of lading. By streamlining the process, Velox Global Solutions enhances efficiency and reliability in the logistics industry. - Rewear.AI – Oshun Cruz
Rewear AI addresses the unique challenge of efficiently selling used clothing in the Valley, particularly in areas like Hidalgo and Brownsville, where traditional methods have prevailed for decades. Our solution is a mobile and web application that utilizes AI to analyze clothing images, generating detailed listings with accurate descriptions and pricing. This allows users to seamlessly connect their eCommerce accounts (eBay, Depop, Etsy, Poshmark, Mercari) and post their items across multiple platforms with the push of a button. Unlike competitors such as Vendoo, List Perfectly, and AutoPosher, Rewear AI leverages advanced AI technology to streamline the selling process, making it faster and more efficient. By empowering locals to take advantage of the abundant supply of used clothing, we help increase demand and provide an easy way for Valley residents to earn extra income through online sales. - Yardly – Mario Gonzalez
Yardly addresses the challenges of lawn care by providing a user-friendly subscription service that connects consumers directly with reliable lawn care personnel and companies. This innovative platform simplifies the process of securing lawn care services, eliminating confusion and the hassle of unreliable providers. While we have not identified direct competitors in this niche, our unique approach sets us apart in the industry. In the next six months, we aim to onboard 100 users, establishing a solid foundation for growth. - VinHX.com/CarInspections.com – Rodrigo Burberg
CarInspections.com creates synergy with its sister company, VinHX.com, to offer a complete car-buying solution. VinHX.com provides initial vehicle history reports, while CarInspections.com offers in-depth inspections to uncover hidden issues. This combined approach minimizes fraud and repair risks, particularly in areas like the Rio Grande Valley. Beyond inspections, CarInspections.com helps users understand necessary maintenance based on the vehicle’s use. They analyze inspection results and recommend specific services. CarInspections.com also connects users with reliable mechanics specializing in the required repairs. This comprehensive service empowers buyers and owners with crucial information and support. CarInspections.comand Vinhx.com simplifies the car ownership experience from purchase to maintenance.
Meet the Judges:
These industry professionals will evaluate the startups’ innovation, market potential, and execution strategy:
- Hector Hernandez – Project Manager, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
- Rolando Gonzalez Jr. – Executive Assistant, Border Manufacturer Contractors; Co-Owner, FC Brownsville
- Jovanna Rangel – Director of Business Retention & Expansion and Workforce Development for GBIC (Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation)
