Southwest Startup Showdown: A Call to Reverse the Borderplex Startup Drought

At STTE Foundation, we are deeply rooted in the Borderplex region—El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and Las Cruces—a dynamic, bilingual community rich with potential. With a population that’s predominantly Latino, this region holds immense promise for innovation and economic growth. However, we’re facing two critical challenges: the well-known Brain Drain, and a less-discussed but equally pressing issue, the Startup Drought.

While the Brain Drain pulls talented professionals away in search of better-paying opportunities in larger tech markets, the Startup Drought is forcing our local entrepreneurs and innovators to relocate to ecosystems with more robust mentorship, capital, and investor networks. This stifles the growth of homegrown startups and undermines the development of a strong entrepreneurial economy in the Borderplex.

To address this, we’re proud to present the Southwest Startup Showdown on November 8th at the Starlight Event Center in El Paso. This is our annual end-of-year event that brings together high school, collegiate, and early-stage entrepreneurs, providing them with a platform to pitch their groundbreaking ideas to investors, business leaders, and the wider community.

At STTE, we’ve been working hard throughout the year to cultivate startups and help them scale, tackling the Startup Drought head-on. Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:

  • We hosted Borderland AI, engaging industry leaders to address the most pressing issues in the AI space.
  • We organized two Open AI Hackathons to generate innovative, AI-driven startups.
  • We launched our first AI Accelerator, advancing startups from concept to customer.
  • We worked closely with high school students, helping them turn their ideas into viable businesses.
  • We mentored founders through our STTE Ventures program, preparing them to take their startups to the next level.

One of the highlights of the Southwest Startup Showdown will be the 2nd Annual Microsoft Collegiate Cup, featuring top teams from universities such as UTEP, NMSU, UNM, Texas Tech and Colorado State University. These teams will pitch their most innovative ideas and compete for the top prize.

The Showdown will also showcase cutting-edge technologies across multiple industries. You’ll see innovations like technology designed to enhance crop growth on Earth and in space, custom-designed mobile saunas and ice baths used by NFL players and university athletic programs, automated platforms that empower cross-border suppliers with access to capital, and even a portable power solution that combines the endurance of a power plant with the mobility of a battery.

This event is an essential opportunity for business professionals, entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and community leaders who want to witness the next wave of innovation coming from the Borderplex region. Whether you’re looking to invest in promising startups, discover new technological advancements, or support the region’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, this event offers unparalleled access to the future of innovation.

  • Investors: Don’t miss this opportunity to meet promising founders and discover your next great investment. Register for free to get exclusive access to high-potential startups.

The Southwest Startup Showdown is more than just a pitch competition—it’s part of our broader mission at STTE to build a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem and reverse the Startup Drought in the Borderplex. Like the Brain Drain, the Startup Drought has seen too many talented entrepreneurs leave for larger cities, but with your support, we can help them grow and thrive right here in El Paso.

Join us on November 8th and be part of the solution in creating a thriving, innovative future for the Borderplex.

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.

On November 8 in El Paso, TX, STTE Foundation will feature a roster of angel and early-stage investors at the Southwest Startup Showdown. This event will connect high-potential startups with critical investors, recognizing the Borderland as a hub for startups to grow. At STTE we are working hard to reverse the Startup Drought and make El Paso a place to startup and scale innovation.

Join us to witness the future of innovation in the Borderland and support a thriving local entrepreneurial community.

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. ​

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

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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