AI Your Idea

At the STTE Foundation, a leader in EdTech innovation, we’re thrilled to introduce the latest evolution of Startosphere. This platform stands out as the world’s first youth-focused entrepreneurship education tool, uniquely designed to transform ideas into reality through our advanced AI-powered business model canvas. Join us in shaping the future of entrepreneurial education.

Startosphere

Southwest Startup Showdown

The Success Through Technology Education (STTE) Foundation proudly hosted the Southwest Startup Showdown on November 8, 2024, gathering 23 promising startups, 10+ investors, and over 100 attendees, including high school and college students, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from across the region. The event, designed to elevate emerging innovation, provided $35,000 in cash prizes across multiple categories, recognizing the achievements and potential of local and national startups that have the power to transform the Borderland’s economic landscape.

With startups competing in high school, collegiate, hackathon, and early-stage categories, the event underscored the region’s commitment to fostering innovation, showcasing talent, and building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Events like the Southwest Startup Showdown are vital for economic growth and innovation in our region,” said Joseph Sapien, Executive Director of STTE Foundation. “Supporting startups not only propels job creation and attracts investment but also empowers our local talent to solve real-world problems, keeping our best and brightest here in El Paso.”

Winners by Category

High School Category:

  • First Place: Shore Elegance – Aiming to redefine elegance in sustainable fashion, Shore Elegance showcased a fresh perspective on environmentally conscious clothing.
  • Second Place: Nest Rise – Innovating in smart home solutions, Nest Rise impressed judges with its approach to enhancing home automation and efficiency.
  • Third  Place: Dreams – Bringing big aspirations to the tech-driven world of youth entrepreneurship.

Microsoft Collegiate Cup:

  • First Place: The Space-Cryo Satellite (UTEP) – Revolutionizing space technology with advancements in cryogenics, this startup captivated judges with its potential to impact aerospace research and beyond.
  • Second Place: Frontierless Cash (UTEP) – Aiming to break down barriers in digital finance, Frontierless Cash presented a vision for a more inclusive, accessible financial landscape.

STTE Hackathon Team Winner:

  • First Place: Charge Assist – Developing efficient solutions for electric vehicle charging, addressing a critical need as the world shifts towards sustainable transportation.

Ventures Winners:

  • First Place: Jale (work4workers.com) – A platform aimed at enhancing the gig economy, Jale demonstrated potential for economic empowerment through flexible work solutions.
  • Second Place: Aurum (Aurumbio.tech) – Pioneering new technology in sustainable energy, Aurum emphasized the need for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.

Early-Stage Category:

  • First Place: SCHOOLS Test Prep (www.schoolstestprep.com) – This startup is redefining test preparation, offering students effective, personalized resources to support academic success.

The Southwest Startup Showdown was more than a competition; it served as a bridge between visionary startups and investors. “By connecting these startups with investors, we’re creating opportunities for growth, funding, and partnerships that make a lasting impact,” Sapien added. Local investors engaged with entrepreneurs directly, evaluating opportunities to contribute to the region’s economic vitality through strategic investments in homegrown talent.

As El Paso’s premier startup event, the Southwest Startup Showdown reinforces STTE’s commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that spurs economic growth, job creation, and innovation. By empowering the next generation of creators, STTE is helping to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for the Borderland region.

Investing in the Borderland: Why Investors Are Crucial to Building a Thriving Startup Community

The “Startup Drought” in regions like the Borderland—reflects a critical gap: while talent and ideas abound, access to capital and mentorship remains limited. This lack of resources forces promising startups to relocate to larger ecosystems where funding and support are more readily available, stunting local economic growth and innovation.

Angel and early-stage investors play a pivotal role in reversing this trend. These investors don’t just provide essential capital; they also bring expertise, networks, and mentorship to founders at a stage where every resource counts. By supporting startups early, they empower local talent to stay, build, and scale within their home communities, creating high-wage jobs and fostering a culture of innovation.

Thank you to all the investors who attended the Southwest Startup Showdown.

Open AI Hackathon & Venture Pitches

We worked all year to cultivate new startups and mentor founders through our Ventures Program.  Driven by industry Open AI Hackathons. We are ready to unveil at the Southwest Startup Showdown. Check out who is pitching.

  • BorderFlow: BorderFlow optimizes cross-border logistics with IoT and AI, focusing on fleet management, emission tracking, and predictive analytics for the El Paso-Juarez region. ​
  • Charge Assist: Charge Assist develops EV infrastructure and technician training programs to support the growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations. ​
  • IMDR: IMDR offers a secure, AI-powered personal health record management system that facilitates seamless data sharing and integration with health information exchanges. ​
  • Chuco Relic: Chuco Relic celebrates Fronterizo culture through unique apparel and products crafted by local artists, supporting the creative talent of the El Paso-Juarez region. ​
  • Trisum Saunas: Trisum Saunas provides custom-designed mobile saunas and ice baths, promoting physical and mental health through heat and cold shock therapy.

Microsoft Collegiate Cup

  • Cleen (UTEP): An app that scans product barcodes to provide consumers with clear, detailed information about potentially harmful ingredients, helping them make safer choices. ​
  • Cracked Gaming (Colorado State University): A free-to-play gaming platform offering high-stakes tournaments and real cash rewards through interactive ads, enhancing both gamer engagement and advertiser reach. ​
  • Curiosity Spark (UTEP): An immersive, gamified learning platform designed to make education engaging and accessible, particularly for underserved communities. ​
  • Errun (NMSU): An app that matches users with side hustles based on their preferences and experience, simplifying the process of finding and starting side jobs. ​
  • Frontierless Cash (UTEP): A blockchain-based remittance service that offers low-cost, near-instant money transfers for Mexican migrants in the US, with multiple cash-out options and AI-driven security.
  • Project Maldonado (NMSU): A company developing customizable 3D-printed orthopedic medical devices tailored to individual patient needs, aiming to improve fit, recovery time, and reduce medical costs. ​
  • Space-CRYO (UTEP): A project focused on manufacturing durable metal components in space using controlled freezing of alloys, aiming to revolutionize space-based manufacturing and reduce dependency on Earth for supplies. ​

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the inaugural LatinX EdTech at L’ATTITUDE. A special thank you to our sponsors, who provided invaluable support, and to the visionary EdTech founders and dedicated workshop presenters who shared their expertise and innovative solutions. We are also immensely grateful to all the attendees, our national advisors, and the tireless organizers who together helped forge this landmark event. Thank you to L’ATTITUDE for hosting us.

Stay tuned for more recap information and outcomes from this event.

InnoVision Mirrors

STTE Features the Future of Learning at La Nube Children’s Museum. We’re excited to announce that STTE’s Innovision AR interactive mirrors are now featured at La Nube, the new Children’s Museum. Sponsored by Bank of America and Audaz Capital, and powered by Geenee.ar, these mirrors allow youth to see themselves in various professional roles—Astronaut, Electrical Engineer, Accountant, Veterinarian, Entrepreneur, and Computer Scientist. Be sure to check them out!

AIxAR Education

STTE is driven to reimagine the future of education! With the exponential growth in technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR), redefining how learning is delivered must be explored. As smart glasses and immersive tools become more available, STTE is ready to lead the charge in creating adaptive, engaging educational environments. Our InnoVision program is at the forefront of this transformation, working with national partners and building learning experiences that will reach and inspire students everywhere—regardless of their zip code, language, or economic background.

Want to help shape the future? Contact us and join the movement as we push innovation to new heights. In the meantime, here is a sample of a virtual lesson we created with the help of ABC’s News Anchor Stephanie Valle who explains more about the power of AI and AR.

Startosphere AI Accelerator

STTE Foundation’s Startosphere AI Accelerator, proudly powered by El Paso Electric is a transformative program that aims to revolutionize the startup landscape in the Borderland and beyond. 

In collaboration with some of the most innovative LatinX startup ecosystem builders and entrepreneurs, our ambitious goal is to make the Southwest a hub of entrepreneurial innovation and economic prosperity.

Startosphere AI Accelerator equips entrepreneurs with a cutting-edge AI toolkit to turn visionary ideas into thriving businesses. Our vision extends beyond mere success stories; we aim to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem where innovation flourishes, talent thrives, and impactful solutions emerge to propel societal advancement.

Key Benefits of Startosphere AI Accelerator:

  • Immediate Access to Advanced AI Tools: Equip your venture with cutting-edge AI technologies to drive innovation.
  • Expert Mentorship: Learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts who will guide you through your journey.
  • Tailored Resources: Receive customized support to accelerate your product development timeline.

 

Our rigorous accelerator model is designed to shorten startups’ development lifecycles by providing the resources and mentorship needed to cut traditional product development timelines in half.

We believe in the potential of your venture to make a significant impact, and we are honored to support you in this journey. 

STTE Ventures 2024 Report

Welcome to the STTE Ventures Impact Report, a detailed narrative of our journey, achievements, and the significant impact we’ve made in the startup ecosystem. This report is not just a collection of numbers and statistics; it’s a story of innovation, growth, and economic transformation. As you explore these pages, you’ll gain valuable insights into the processes, successes, and overall economic contributions of our program.

This report is a reflection of our commitment, showcasing:

  1. The Program Process: Delve into the unique approach of STTE Ventures, where mentorship, resources, and community support come together to guide startups from their nascent stages to market success.

  2. Startup Performance Highlights: Discover the remarkable achievements of our startups. This year, we identified 12 new customer segments, a testament to our program’s ability to uncover and capitalize on market opportunities.

  3. Fundraising and Revenue: Our startups collectively fundraised $855 million, demonstrating the confidence of investors in our vision and approach. Additionally, we achieved $150 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), underscoring the sustainable and growing nature of our ventures.

  4. Job Creation and Economic Impact: The creation of 19 new jobs is a direct indicator of our program’s positive influence on employment. More so, our startups have generated a staggering $1.6 million in economic impact

In conclusion, it’s with immense pride we announce that the STTE Ventures program has achieved a remarkable 13X economic return. This figure not only represents our financial success but also the broader economic benefit we bring to communities and in

Startups

Thank You To Our Supporters

Thanks to our trusted network of dedicated supporters, STTE is able to operate and help make a generational impact in the world.

Borderplex Alliance (https://www.borderplexalliance.org/)

Carnegie Mellon University (https://www.cmu.edu/)

EduLab Capital (https://www.edulabcapital.com/)

El Paso Chamber (https://elpaso.org/)

Geenee.ar (https://geenee.ar/)

Hispanics In Philanthropy (HIP.org)

Inicio Ventures (https://www.inicio.ventures/)

Pay It Forward (https://pif.vc/)

Sand Hill Angels Charitable Fund (Sand Hill Angels Charitable Fund)

The City of El Paso, Economic Development 

The Trust For The Americas (https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/)

Bank of America (https://www.bankofamerica.com/)

Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED) (https://www.creeed.org/)

El Paso Electric (https://www.epelectric.com/)

El Paso Water (https://www.epwater.org/)

Innovare (https://innovaresip.com/)

Microsoft

New Mexico State University Arrowhead Center (https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/)

Paso del Norte Community Foundation
(
https://pdnfoundation.org/)

Sun Cruces Angels (https://suncrucesangels.org/)

The University of Texas at El Paso (https://www.utep.edu/)

VelaWood Law (https://velawood.com/)

Success Through Technology Education (STTE) Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on producing stories that inspire, building a future STEAM workforce, and fostering a startup ecosystem.

Our Mission

To develop and deploy entrepreneurship and STEAM-based educational programs for students and adults that accelerate and advance economic development.

Our Vision

To become a national leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEAM education impacting a globally competitive marketplace.

Our Strategic Goals

  • Develop a virtual adaptive learning space, aided by a teaching assistant, to support educators in enhancing student learning.

  • Increase Percentage of students going into STEAM Fields

  • Build an entrepreneurial ecosystem through innovative programs, mind setting  products and access to capital opportunities

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