Empowering Innovation in the Borderland: Southwest Startup Showdown Sparks New Ventures in El Paso

El Paso, TX — November 8, 2024 – The Success Through Technology Education (STTE) Foundation is thrilled to announce the upcoming Southwest Startup Showdown, a dynamic event aimed at showcasing the brightest startup talent from El Paso and the Southwest. Taking place at the Starlight Event Center in El Paso, Texas, this year’s Showdown will bring together over 20 of the region’s most promising startups across diverse industries. From ambitious high school students to collegiate innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs, founders will present their transformative ideas to a panel of investors, venture capitalists, and community leaders, all while addressing the region’s pressing Startup Drought.

Since 2018, STTE has emerged as El Paso’s premier advocate for a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, connecting local talent with the resources and support they need to succeed. Under the leadership of CEO Joseph Sapien , STTE has consistently provided avenues for entrepreneurs to grow without leaving the region. “Events like the Southwest Startup Showdown amplify support for tech innovations and startups that are key to growing El Paso’s economy,” said Sapien. “By creating a platform that links founders with the capital, mentorship, and resources they need, we’re tackling the Startup Drought head-on and building a sustainable ecosystem in the Borderplex.”

Agenda Highlights

The Southwest Startup Showdown promises a full day of pitches, networking, and interactive events to foster connections and inspiration.

9:00 AM - High School Pitches Sponsored by the Trellis Foundation , this session will highlight the creative solutions of local high school students who have used STTE’s Unicorn Academy and Startosphere? AI tools to refine their entrepreneurial ideas. Students will have the opportunity to pitch to investors, gaining invaluable experience as they explore entrepreneurship.

9:45 AM - 2nd Annual Microsoft Southwest Collegiate Cup This year’s Collegiate Cup features fierce competition among universities including Colorado State University , New Mexico State University , and The University of Texas at El Paso . Expect to see bold innovations like Cleen (a consumer safety app), Cracked Gaming (a rewards-based gaming platform), and Space-CRYO (pioneering space manufacturing). These college innovators represent the future of multiple industries, from health to space exploration.

11:00 AM - Open AI Hackathon & Venture Pitches Supported by the City of El Paso Economic Development, Microsoft, and El Paso Electric Foundation, this session will showcase startups that emerged from STTE’s Open AI Hackathons, AI Accelerator, and Ventures Program. Expect high-growth potential solutions like BorderFlow (optimizing cross-border logistics) and Charge Assist (supporting EV infrastructure and training), all developed to address real-world industry needs.

12:00 PM - Would You Rather Lunch During a unique lunch sponsored by El Paso Labs, founders will engage in a lively game of “Would You Rather” with top venture capitalists, gaining insights into investor priorities. This interactive session will reveal what VCs prioritize and offers a rare peek into the investor mindset.

1:20 PM - Early-Stage Startup Pitches The Early-Stage Startup session will feature startups making strides in sustainability, healthcare, and consumer services. Highlights include Aurum, transforming waste into valuable resources like biochar, and Biomedical Music Solutions (BMS), which uses music to improve physical therapy outcomes. Additionally, HamperApp simplifies laundry and dry cleaning with an on-demand platform, exemplifying innovation in everyday services. These startups demonstrate the Southwest’s potential to drive meaningful economic growth.

3:00 - 5:00 PM - Awards & Mixer The day will conclude with a celebratory Awards & Mixer, where STTE will award $35,000 in cash prizes to standout startups. This finale brings together founders, funders, and community members to connect and inspire, creating valuable networking opportunities for continued growth and collaboration.

Raising Awareness and Combating the Startup Drought

The Southwest Startup Showdown directly addresses the region's Startup Drought by showcasing local innovations and creating essential connections to capital. With top investment firms in attendance—including Level Up Ventures , Inicio Ventures, Audaz Capital , No Border Ventures , New Mexico Angels, Inc. , Sun Cruces Angels , CRE, and El Paso Labs/PIF —the event provides startups with the resources they need to stay and thrive in the Borderplex.

Join Us!

The Southwest Startup Showdown is more than a pitch competition—it’s a testament to STTE’s leadership in building a resilient startup ecosystem in the Borderland. We invite the media to attend this event to experience firsthand how STTE is paving the way for innovation and economic growth in El Paso. Join us on November 8 to witness the future of innovation in the Southwest and support our region’s brightest talents as they shape a thriving entrepreneurial community.

For more details, please visit STTEFoundation.org.