The STTE Ventures program is a year-long program designed to transform innovative ideas into market-ready startups. By focusing on five foundational pillars—People, Place, Partners, Program, and Pitches—we provide entrepreneurs with the mentorship, resources, and collaborative ecosystem necessary for accelerated growth. Our strategic partnerships with the City of El Paso Economic Development, Audaz Capital, Inicio Ventures, and other key stakeholders ensure that participants have access to industry experts and a supportive community, fostering the development of thriving local businesses.
STTE is proud to announce the release of the STTE Ventures Two-Year Impact Report, detailing the significant economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurial advancements achieved through our AI-powered programs. With a El Paso City Economic Development $250,000 investment, the program has supported 10 startups and SMBs, resulting in 30 new customer segments identified, 28 new jobs created, $1.2M fundraised, and $514K in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Collectively, these efforts have generated an economic impact of $2.9M, delivering a 12X return on investment. The program has empowered high-growth startups such as Aizen Flow and Squad Pilot, alongside established SMBs like TriSum Saunas, Chuco Relic, and PCG Concrete, all of whom have leveraged STTE’s AI-driven mentorship and business development resources to accelerate their growth.
By integrating AI into the entrepreneurial journey, STTE has equipped founders with advanced business modeling tools like Startosphere and access to a thriving tech community that fosters mentorship, collaboration, and innovation. This milestone report underscores the critical role of AI and technology in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the Southwest, providing a blueprint for continued economic development. As we look ahead, STTE remains committed to scaling support for both startups and SMBs, ensuring they have the resources needed to validate, launch, and grow sustainable businesses. Explore the full STTE Ventures Two-Year Impact Report and discover how we are building the next wave of AI-powered entrepreneurs.
STTE is honored to be featured in the prestigious 2024 Latino Startup Hub Report by Inicio, a recognition that underscores both the organization’s impact and the Southwest region’s growing momentum in building a thriving startup ecosystem. The report examines 18 Latino startup hubs across the U.S., showcasing their economic potential while addressing the persistent underrepresentation in startup funding. By highlighting organizations like STTE, Audaz Capital, and Borderplex Alliance, the report brings attention to the mentorship, funding, and resources driving innovation in the region. This acknowledgment reinforces the resilience, cultural identity, and entrepreneurial spirit shaping the Southwest, marking a significant step toward establishing a more vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem.
At the STTE Foundation, a leader in 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.
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. As of August 7, 2024 the Mirrors have engaged over 110,000 individuals with over 800,000 experiences displayed. STTE’s AR Mirrors also have Google Analytics tracking usage, great for reporting impact. Be sure to check them out! Want to have STTE help design your learning environment with future technologies? Learn more about Innovision here.
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.
At STTE, we believe in the power of innovation to transform communities. On November 8, 2024, we proudly hosted the Southwest Startup Showdown, bringing together 23 visionary startups, 10+ investors, and over 100 attendees, including high school and college students, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from across the region. This landmark event celebrated emerging talent and provided $35,000 in cash prizes across multiple categories, recognizing ideas with the potential to reshape the economic future of the Borderland.
Winners by Category
High School Category:
Microsoft Collegiate Cup:
STTE Hackathon Team Winner:
Ventures Winners:
Early-Stage Category:
Building the Borderland’s Future
The Southwest Startup Showdown wasn’t just a competition—it was a powerful statement about the potential of the Borderland’s entrepreneurial spirit. “Events like these are vital for economic growth and innovation in our region,” said Joseph Sapien, Executive Director of STTE Foundation. “By supporting startups, we foster job creation, attract investment, and empower our local talent to solve real-world problems, ensuring El Paso’s brightest minds can thrive here.”
The event served as a bridge between bold ideas and strategic investors. “By connecting startups with investors, we’re opening doors for growth, partnerships, and lasting impact,” Sapien added. Local investors engaged directly with entrepreneurs, evaluating how their contributions could spark economic vitality and support homegrown innovation.
A Legacy of Innovation
As El Paso’s premier startup event, the Southwest Startup Showdown underscores STTE’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By nurturing the next generation of creators and change-makers, we’re driving economic growth, job creation, and a culture of innovation. Together, we’re securing a brighter, more prosperous future for the Borderland region.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
To become a national leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEAM education impacting a globally competitive marketplace.
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
