First-Ever Southwest Collegiate Cup Is Coming!!!
The STTE Foundation, dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southwest, is thrilled to announce the upcoming Southwest Collegiate Cup. This first-of-its-kind event, generously sponsored by Microsoft, aims to empower universities in the Southwest with entrepreneurial aspirations by offering a unique platform for collaboration, competition, and growth.
Participating universities will have the chance to gain valuable experience, enhance their entrepreneurial ecosystems, and connect with like-minded institutions throughout the competition.Universities are expected to screen and provide their top startup team to compete in the Southwest Collegiate Cup. This team should represent the university’s best innovation and ability to scale. The grand prize winner will also be able to pitch their innovation at the Dia de Los Muertos Startup Pitch competition the following day in El Paso, TX.
The Southwest Collegiate Cup will occur on November 2, 2023 at Corbett Center Student Union, International Mall, Las Cruces, NM 88003. The competition is exclusively designed for emerging entrepreneurial college students from the Southwest that have accelerators or entrepreneurship programs. It will serve as a catalyst for innovation, enabling participating institutions to showcase their entrepreneurial talent, exchange ideas, and compete for recognition and prizes.
Maximo Gamez, STTE Ventures Manager, will be the primary point of contact for this event. He can be reached at (915) 243-9171, or you can email him at [email protected] for further information.
View Kick-off Webinar Here
Passcode: slhCM1?0
Día de los Muertos Startup 🚀 Pitch 🎤 Event Application is Now Open!
In 2022, we revitalized our cherished event, the El Paso Día de los Muertos Pitch Competition, with a renewed commitment to fueling entrepreneurial passion, fostering investment opportunities, and celebrating our vibrant community. Our platform was instrumental in organizing grassroots and bringing together talent from across the Southwest region.
A total of 10 startups from across the Southwest region had the chance to pitch their ideas to a diverse audience comprising angel investors, venture capital investors, university presidents, and city officials from all over the United States. Last year’s pitch competition took our commitment to inspiring entrepreneurs a step further by distributing an impressive $30,000 in prizes, with a grand prize of $15,000 for first place.
Despite a pause in 2020 due to in-person event restrictions, the 2021 El Paso Día de los Muertos Pitch Competition marked an enthusiastic return, promising to uphold its tradition of fostering entrepreneurship, promoting investment, and nurturing our thriving community. Join us as we journey forward to make an even greater impact!
Imagine the possibilities: Pitch your early-stage startup, network with industry leaders, and secure crucial funding for your startup. But time is running out, and we don’t want you to miss your chance.
Why Should You Apply?
Over $30,000 in Cash Prizes: This year, we’re awarding an impressive $30,000 in cash prizes, with a grand prize of $15,000 for the winning startup. It’s not just an event; it’s an investment in your future!
Access to Capital: Connect with angel investors, venture capitalists, and influential figures from across the United States. Forge the connections you need to secure the funding that will propel your startup forward.
Annual Opportunity: The Dia de Los Muertos Pitch Competition is an annual event that shapes the future of entrepreneurship in the Southwest. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of something truly exceptional.
Time is Ticking: The clock is ticking, and opportunities like this don’t come around often. Act now and submit your application before the September 24th deadline.
Apply below and be part of the Dia de Los Muertos Pitch Competition—a platform that can transform your startup dreams into reality!
Special thanks to our sponsors: Inicio Ventures, the City of El Paso Economic Development, Microsoft, Vela Wood Law, NMSU Arrowhead, MCA Foundation, Stanford Angels – Texas Chapter, Sun Cruces Angels, High Desert Capital and STTE Foundation.
Last Chance to Ignite Your Startup Journey! Apply Now!
The Deadline to Apply for the Dia de Los Muertos Pitch Competition is Extended to September 24, 2023!
Application Close
In 2022, we revitalized our cherished event, the El Paso Día de los Muertos Pitch Competition, with a renewed commitment to fueling entrepreneurial passion, fostering investment opportunities, and celebrating our vibrant community. Our platform was instrumental in organizing grassroots and bringing together talent from across the Southwest region.
A total of 10 startups from across the Southwest region had the chance to pitch their ideas to a diverse audience comprising angel investors, venture capital investors, university presidents, and city officials from all over the United States. Last year’s pitch competition took our commitment to inspiring entrepreneurs a step further by distributing an impressive $30,000 in prizes, with a grand prize of $15,000 for first place.
Despite a pause in 2020 due to in-person event restrictions, the 2021 El Paso Día de los Muertos Pitch Competition marked an enthusiastic return, promising to uphold its tradition of fostering entrepreneurship, promoting investment, and nurturing our thriving community. Join us as we journey forward to make an even greater impact!
Día de los Muertos Agenda
This year, we will organize startup week with our regional startups to develop relationships with regional and national investors and to inspire the next generation of founders in the region.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Startups funders and founders are encouraged to network through dinners. Enjoy the southwest flavor with some of the best Mexican cuisine.
Friday, November 3, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM MST – 6:00 PM
Place: Paso delNorte Hotel, 10 Henry Trost Ct, El Paso, TX 79901
There will be three rooms with key activities. The Pancho Villa Main Room, Founder and Funders Rooms.
| Founders Armadillo Room 2nd Floor | Funders Longhorn Room 2nd Floor | Main Event Pancho Villa Room 3rd Floor | |
| 8:00 | Check-in and Continental Breakfast | ||
| 8:45 | |||
| 9:00 | Welcome Remarks | ||
| 9:15 | |||
| 9:30 | Raising Capital – Trials and Tribulations | Economic Development, Accelerator, Angel Speed Networking | |
| 9:45 | High School Pitch Competition | ||
| 10:00 | |||
| 10:15 | AI Developers by Microsoft | Syndication, SPVs, and Co-Investments | |
| 10:30 | |||
| 10:45 | |||
| 11:00 | Legal 101 “What I Wish I Knew” (Vela Wood) | Having difficult conversations with startups | Hacking Your Ecosystem: Hackathons as Catalysts |
| 11:15 | |||
| 11:30 | |||
| 11:45 | Taking your College Startup to the Pros (Target Audience is University Accelerators) | Fight Club Debate | |
| 12:00 | |||
12:15 – 1:15 PM Lunch in El Paso
| Founders Armadillo Room 2nd Floor | Funders Longhorn Room 2nd Floor | Main Event Pancho Villa Room 3rd Floor | |
| 1:15 | USPTO Sessions | What developers should do to make it at the next level | Angel Panel Discussion |
| 1:30 | |||
| 1:45 | Attorney, Investor, and Finance: Due Diligence in Business Transactions | ||
| 2:00 | Building Ecosystem Best Practices | ||
| 2:15 | |||
| 2:30 | |||
| 2:45 | Open Advisor Networking | Creating Southwest Regional Ecosystem Node (STTE) | Angel Pitches |
| 3:00 | |||
| 3:15 | |||
| 3:30 |
4:00 Dia de Los Muertos Startup Pitches
6:00 – 6:30 Inicio Ventures Awards
Location
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the event please email [email protected]