Southwest Startup Showdown: A Call to Reverse the Borderplex Startup Drought November 8, 2024 | Starlight Event Center, El Paso, TX

The Borderplex region, which includes El Paso, Texas; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; and Las Cruces, New Mexico, is a dynamic, bilingual hub of opportunity. In the center of the region is El Paso, which is predominantly Latino and holds immense potential for innovation and economic growth. However, despite its promise, the region faces two major challenges: the Brain Drain and a less-discussed but equally impactful Startup Drought.

While the Brain Drain sees skilled professionals leaving the region in search of better-paying jobs in larger tech markets, the Startup Drought forces local entrepreneurs and innovators to seek opportunities in ecosystems rich with mentorship, capital, and investor networks. This migration stifles the growth of homegrown startups and undermines the development of a robust entrepreneurial economy in the Borderplex.

In response to this, STTE Foundation is proud to present the Southwest Startup Showdown on November 8th at the Starlight Event Center in El Paso. This annual end-of-year event showcases the innovative spirit of the region’s startups and offers a platform for high school and collegiate entrepreneurs, as well as early-stage founders, to pitch their groundbreaking ideas to investors and business leaders.

Throughout the year, STTE has been actively working to cultivate new startups along with helping others prepare to scale to address the Startup Drought head-on. This year alone, STTE:

• Hosted the Borderland AI, engaging industry leaders to share pain points for product development.
• Hosted two Open AI Hackathons, designed to from innovative AI-driven startups.
• Launched its first AI Startopshere Accelerator, advancing startups from ideation to customer.
• Worked with high school and college students, helping them transform ideas into viable businesses.
• Mentored promising founders through the STTE Ventures program, preparing them to take their startups to the next level.

One of the event’s highlights will be the 2nd Annual Microsoft Collegiate Cup, featuring teams from five major southwestern universities, including UTEP, NMSU, UNM, Texas Tech, and Colorado State University who will compete to showcase the most innovative ideas and win the top prize.

The Southwest Startup Showdown will showcase groundbreaking innovations across various industries. Expect to see technology designed to enhance crop growth both on Earth and in space, using biochar and radiation-resistant microorganisms to mitigate radiation exposure. There will also be custom-designed mobile saunas and ice baths, developed for high-performance athletes, that can be set up and disassembled in under 30 minutes. These saunas are already being used by NFL players, social media influencers, and university athletic programs, including UT Austin and UT El Paso. In addition, a new automated platform will empower cross-border suppliers with access to capital, stabilizing cash flow and securing futures. Attendees will also get a glimpse of a cutting-edge portable power solution that combines the endurance of a power plant with the mobility of a battery, capable of lasting more than 10 years. These innovations represent just a few of the high-potential technologies that will be featured at the event.

This is a must-attend event for business professionals, entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and community economic development leaders who want to witness the next wave of innovation in the Borderplex region. Whether you’re looking to invest in promising startups, discover new technological advancements, or support the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, this event offers unparalleled opportunities.

• Startup Founders: If you have an idea or an early-stage business, apply by October 18th for a chance to pitch and compete for significant investment and support.
• Investors: Don’t miss this chance to meet promising founders and potentially find your next great investment. Register to attend for free and get exclusive access to high-potential startups.
• Inventors: If you have a unique product or invention to showcase, this is your opportunity to exhibit and connect with potential buyers and investors.

The Southwest Startup Showdown is more than just a pitch competition—it’s part of STTE’s broader mission to build a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem and reverse the Startup Drought in the Borderplex region. 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 build and scale right here in El Paso.

Join us on November 8th for this exciting event and be part of the solution in creating a thriving, innovative future for the Borderplex. Register now at STTEFoundation.org.