By News and Internal Communications

WESLACO, TEXAS – JUNE 6, 2024 – UTRGV’s Center for Innovation & Commercialization is offering local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to network and connect with resource-providing organizations, during its fourth annual Startup Resource Expo.

The expo will be on Friday, June 14, in Weslaco, and is free and open to the community. Organizations will share their services and resources, and there will be concurrent sessions throughout the day on topics like “The Five Cs of Social Media,” “How NOT to Launch a Mobile App” and “The First Five Steps to Success in Small Business.”

"We know that there are countless fantastic resources and services available to local entrepreneurs, but the problem is that people don't know about them,” said Stephanie Mendez, UTRGV CIC manager. “We at the CIC are passionate about using the Startup Resource Expo as the perfect platform to liaison between entrepreneurs and the resources that will help them succeed."

The Startup Resource Expo will provide breakfast and lunch, and an opportunity for attendees to get free professional headshots taken (limited slots are available). The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CIC facility located at 307 E. Railroad St.

Valorie MacDonald, local founder of ValorVoice, said the Startup Resource Expo is one of her favorite events.

“There are so many important topics that feel very overwhelming for those of us with big ideas but little business knowledge, and this is the perfect opportunity to get a better understanding of how to get started with the hard stuff,” MacDonald said.

To register for the expo, visit the following link: https://utrgv.startuptree.co/event/s/PTirsL7oerhCQhH9LQVpQX/2024-Startup-Resource-Expo-

For more information or accommodations, contact stephanie.mendez01@utrgv.edu.

ABOUT THE UTRGV CENTER FOR INNOVATION & COMMERCIALIZATION

The Center for Innovation & Commercialization (CIC) is both an EDA University Center and UTRGV’s own Blackstone LaunchPad (more on each below). The CIC seeks to promote economic growth in the Rio Grande Valley by assisting regional entrepreneurs in the ideation, development, and acceleration of new business ventures and by developing the next generation of RGV entrepreneurs through experiential learning opportunities in new venture creation for students. Follow the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization on social media: @utrgvcic

ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) recognizes that institutions of higher education are critical players in the development of vibrant economic ecosystems. Universities are sources of significant economic development assets that can support regional economic growth. Currently, there are 72 EDA University Centers covering 47 states and territories. The purpose of EDA’s University Center program is to enable institutions of higher education and consortia of these institutions to establish and operate University Centers (UCs) focused on leveraging university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency, and inclusiveness. As early as FY 1980, EDA-funded UCs responded to the needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers and processors for technology transfer and commercialization assistance.

ABOUT BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD

The Blackstone LaunchPad network makes entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills accessible and relevant for all college students to help them build thriving companies and careers. We work with higher-ed institutions to deliver proven startup resources, facilitate access to a global network of mentors and advisors, and offer unique virtual and physical convening opportunities so thousands of diverse college students can go further, faster. Students learn by doing, gaining knowledge and critical skills to help them succeed as a founder or contributor to the innovation economy. LaunchPad’s ever-expanding network encompasses campuses with predominantly underrepresented populations.