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BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is to host, for the first time, a StartUp Week in May 2024 to celebrate entrepreneurialism.\\xa0

Nathan Burkhart, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at BCIC, made the announcement at the group\\u2019s StartUp Texas Emerging Industries Pitch Competition, held Dec. 14 at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization.

StartUp Week will also be held at the eBridge Center, from May 3 to May 10, 2024. BCIC's partner on the venture will be UT-Rio Grande Valley\\u2019s Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center.

\\u201cWe are, proudly,\\xa0 going to be hosting the inaugural RGV Startup Week. It will be held in May. Big round of applause,\\u201d Burkhart told the audience.

\\u201cIt's all over the Texas Triangle, but nothing has been done here in the Valley. We're going to keep it here. So, we are very, very excited about this. So save the dates, May 3 through May 10.\\u201d

Burkhart said BCIC\\u2019s next StartUp competition will be held during StartUp Week.\\xa0

Nine startup companies competed in the Emerging Industries Pitch Competition on Dec. 14. The winners with their prize money were:

1. iBed by APYCO, $40,000.
2. Hemp Lime Homes, $20,000.
3. BuildCo. S10,000.

With regard to StartUp Week, BCIC issued this statement:

\\u201cThe Rio Grande Valley is loud, it is resourceful, and it is booming with business and innovation. We believe that such efforts should be celebrated like never before!

\\u201cRGV Startup Week is our way of celebrating and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of the ones that already started the journey, and the potential of those who are one small push away from snowballing into the fascinating world of startups.

\\u201cTexas currently hosts four Startup Weeks in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio; 2024 is the year that a new Startup Week joins the list and steals the spotlight.\\xa0

\\u201cThroughout an entire week we will offer workshops, networking opportunities, pitch competitions, mentorship, and other activities to connect entrepreneurs with resources, investors, and mentors.

\\u201cThe Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation aims to host the inaugural RGV Startup Week at the eBridge Center and its vicinity, making it open to the public.

\\u201cThe tentative dates are May 3 to May 10, 2024. The schedule is TBD.\\u201d

Here is an audio interview with Nathan Burkhart, along with highlights from the Emerging Industries Pitch Competition:

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.