The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation has announced the five winners of its 2021 StartUp Texas Pitch Summit, a seed-fund program in its second year created to give a leg up to deserving local start-up companies.
This year’s winners are Amor y Pan, specializing in keto, paleo, vegan baked goods without sugar or grains but with high fiber and a near-zero glycemic index; Cilantro Sauce, which makes cilantro sauce based on a “secret family recipe” and sells it at farmers markets and grocery stores; North American SECNER Holdings LLC, a surface electromagnetic inspection technology firm that offers procurement, maintenance and automation services for the energy sector; Pluton Brewing Company, a microbrewery that uses “locally and ethically sourced” ingredients in its beer; and Raw Xocolat, a veteran-owned, family-operated, small-batch chocolate maker that describes itself as the first “bean to bar” chocolate factor in Brownsville.
Each of the winners gets $20,000 to invest in their businesses. As with last year, the pitch competition was held virtually due to the pandemic, and welcomed input from the public. The event streamed live on March 16 from the Brownsville/George Ramirez Performing Arts Academy.
This year’s judges were Krista Covey, president of First Flight Venture Center and Hanger6 in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park; John Hanak, managing director of Purdue Ventures at the Purdue Foundry; Trey Mendez, attorney, co-founder of Dodici Pizza & Wine and mayor of Brownsville; and Jennifer Serrano, founder of Jen Zeano Designs.
Nathan Burkhart, BCIC director of marketing and small business development, said the pitch competition is part of BCIC’s goal of promoting “an open and inclusive ecosystem for all entrepreneurs. He said the program wouldn’t be possible without BCIC’s partners in its eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization partners, namely Linda Ufland, manager of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center.
Michael J. Limas, BCIC board chairman, said the pitch competition underscores the level of local talent and creates “a platform for these individuals to shine.” The crucial funding opportunities available through the program could mean the difference between a start-up business failing or instead “becoming a mega-organization headquartered in Brownsville, Texas,” he said, noting that more start-ups applied this year compared to last year.
“I’m just excited that it’s becoming more popular,” Limas said. “I’m personally excited because it’s creating a momentum for local entrepreneurs to accelerate and scale their business. We’re at the tip of the iceberg and there’s so much more to come. This is something that we really needed, because there’s tremendous talent here in our city.”
He said BCIC hopes to find more partners to help increase the size of the pot, so either more entrepreneurs can be awarded or the same number as this year each receive more money. Limas predicted the program’s momentum would pick up even more once it’s able to go live, ideally next year.
“I really perceive it’s going to become a juggernaut in the next five years,” he said. “It’s real exciting. … It’s only going to get bigger and better in my opinion. Once we get back to live (competition) I think that’s just going to completely amplify the program.”
