No Border Ventures

As we step into 2025, one belief grows stronger with each passing year: the American Southwest is at a profound inflection point. The Brookings Institution recently released a compelling research report in their new series examining the state of Latino-and Hispanic-owned businesses. This report, authored by Andre M. Perry and Manann Donoghoe, provides the very own insights that reaffirm this perspective and highlight the transformative momentum underway. The facts are undeniable. The Southwest stands uniquely poised at the crossroads of economic opportunity and cultural renaissance, fueled by the vitality of its Hispanic population. Census projections anticipate that the Hispanic population in the United States will grow by nearly 30% by 2060, comprising more than 27% of the total population. This remarkable growth highlights the imperative of investing in Hispanic communities—not merely as a moral obligation but as a strategic cornerstone for securing America’s economic future. Far from being a passive demographic shift, this population growth is catalyzing economic innovation, cultural creativity, and resilience. The Southwest, particularly cities like my beloved hometown of El Paso, as well as San Antonio, Austin, McAllen, and Laredo, serves as a living blueprint for what is possible. These cities exemplify the potential unleashed when communities and businesses embrace Hispanic entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness. Together, they are redefining what growth looks like, not only for the region but for the nation as a whole. In the article below, Norma A. Padrón, Ph.D. and I dive deeper into the economic opportunity and the cultural renaissance of the Southwest.

The last Texas Venture Newsletter highlights of 2024 are HUGE: -- Texas Governor Appoints Texas Chamber CEO To Lead Government Efficiency with Entrepreneurs (+ Texas Venture Alliance Partnership & Feedback Form!) -- Family Office & High Net Worth Conference in Houston, Dallas, and Austin -- Investors in Houston & Austin Recognized for Regional Awards -- New Austin CPG Fund Makes First Investment Featured: Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business, Joel Carter, DivInc, DC Finance's Global Family Office & High Net Worth Community , Denny Chared, Idan Levy, Toronto Stock Exchange, Erik Andersen, Texas Venture Fest, Texas Venture Gala & Forum, Founder Institute Texas, Alantheus Thompson, Martín Martinez, Lina G. Rugova, Christine C., Astō Consumer Partners, Jaleh Daie, PhD, Jordan Blashek, Frontera Leadership Institute, Ruben Cantu, No Border Ventures, Andy Vargas-Hernandez, Alejandro Mu?oz Mendieta, MBA, Justin Schoenfelder #Texas #Innovation #Investor #FamilyOffice #VentureCapital

November 19th Proclaimed by the Mayor and Council of the City of El Paso as: “Alejandro Mu?oz and Andy Vargas Day – Celebrating Borderless Innovation and Opportunity” Alejandro Mu?oz Mendieta, MBA and Andy Vargas-Hernandez, celebrated entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from West Texas, have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities, especially in regions often overlooked by traditional investment; their careers have epitomized the spirit of visionary “good trouble-makers” striving for transformative progress. Huge thank you goes to Cassandra Hernandez, the Mayor, and the members of City Council for this recognition. We are deeply honored to celebrate the spirit of innovation and opportunity that defines our border community, and we remain committed to empowering resilient founders and building a brighter future for our region.

For our Managing Partners, being VC Include Fellows has been a transformative experience, from the depth of the application process, to the elevated conversations, and the access to world-class investors and funders. In their support of diverse emerging managers, the VC Include team has released a spotlight on Alejandro Mu?oz Mendieta, MBA and Andy Vargas-Hernandez, their background and what led them to launch No Border Ventures. Credits to dana fitchett and Alia Einstein-Diez and the rest of the VC Include team for working with us on making it possible. #emergingmanagers #venturecapital #utep #saintmarys #wharton #penn #hbs #harvardbusinessschool #harvard #southwest #VentureCapital #StartupInvesting #FinancialServices

At No Border Ventures, we′re excited to be part of the movement that will change the face of venture capital and entrepenruship, and that can only occur when you have a strong and vibrant community that believes in that change. I had the pleasure of participating and immersing myself into two of these communities last week: Recast Capital held its first ever invite-only Summit and it was a testament to the work that Courtney Russell McCrea and Sara Zulkosky are doing to place capital in the hands of diverse investment decision makers. The number of conversations and friendships built was incredible. Meanwhile, the opportunities to connect with both GPs and LPs at a deeper level will only strengthen our collective effort. Big shout out to the rest of the team that made the Summit possible: Ava Alemazkoor, Caroline Fernandez, Ethan Finkelstein VC Unleashed held the #ShiftVC conference, which gathered more than 100 BIPOC folks, all in support of changing the face of VC. The discussions and relationships built will truly create access and space for diversity. Thank you Tanvi Lal and Michelle Dhansinghani for your leadership and for building a platform we can continue to build-off of. It was fantastic to reconnect with: Anna Garcia, CFA,Jackie DiMonte, Emily McMahan, Lenore Karafa, Jacob Afriat, Lauren Wagner, Carli Sapir, Madeline Darcy, Beatriz Franco, Antonio Key, Yohei Nakajima, Jenny Barba, Jeff Chu, Vanessa Gutierrez, Veronica Juarez, Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA, and Monica Martens and to build new friendships with: Chi Achebe, Shalanda Armstrong, ethan austin, Lister Delgado, Elizabeth Edwards, Marcos Fernandez, Jessica Karr, Kimberley Nixon, Brita Rosenheim, Helene Servillon, Aaron Samuels, Allison Barr Allen, Benjamin Jacques Salazar

It is with great privilege to announce Managing Partners Alejandro Mu?oz Mendieta, MBA and Andy Vargas-Hernandez have been accepted into VC Include 2024 Fellowship for Impact Fund I Managers. From Day 1, No Border Ventures has aimed to become a platform that supports developing entrepreneurial ecosystems, promotes cross-border innovation, and supports good "trouble-makers" that will build the next wave of unicorns in the Southwest+Mountain region. Our Managing Partners are looking forward to the many lessons ahead and connecting with the #VCI community at large. One whose mission is to accelerate the impact of diverse emerging fund managers in venture capital. No Border Ventures #VentureCapital?#StartupInvesting?#FinancialServices?#TechInnovation #SouthwestTech?#techenabled??#VClaunch?#Entrepreneurship #WhartonMBA?#emergingfundmanagers #hbs?#wharton?#ecosystembuilding #southwest?#mountain?#latam #founders?#tech?#innovation?#accelerators

Being an emerging manager is no easy feat. Many managers will agree that it takes a lot of resilience, grit, and discipline. Our Managing Partners - Alejandro Mu?oz Mendieta, MBA and Andy Vargas-Hernandez- began with a vision to improve and support the Southwest + Mountain region ecosystem. To date, they have taken over 1,000 calls and met with many interesting people along the way. This is the journey of an emerging manager. A lot of this starts to makes sense when you find allies like Sara Zulkosky and Courtney Russell McCrea who believe in you and your vision. No Border Ventures is excited to announce our participation in Recast Capital′s 2024 Enablement Program. We are joined by brilliant minds who have embraced the challenge of becoming an emerging manager and who are underway to some pretty amazing visions. #venturecapital #emergingmanagers #southwest #mountain #latam #founders #tech #innovation #accelerators