By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Center for Innovation & Commercialization will hold its second annual Startup Resource Expo Thursday, June 23, in Weslaco.

Free and open to the Rio Grande Valley community, this event will provide the opportunity for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to connect with numerous organizations which provide resources beneficial to this audience.

The organizations will present on their resources and relevant subjects in concurrent sessions throughout the day, including topics such as "Financing Your Dream," "How to Build a Quick Mobile App," and "The First Five Steps to Success in Small Business," and other topics.

Presenting organizations will also be stationed at dedicated booths throughout the day where attendees will be able to speak with representatives from each organization directly about their resources.

"The Startup Resource Expo was created as a platform to connect organizations across the RGV that help entrepreneurs either start or grow businesses in our region," said Stephanie Mendez, manager of the Center for Innovation & Commercialization. "We believe there are fantastic resources and services available, but the problem is that people don't know about them. The Startup Resource Expo acts as a liaison between entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resources, allows like-minded individuals to network, and instills the entrepreneurial mindset in attendees."

In addition to free entry to the event, the Startup Resource Expo will provide free breakfast and lunch, as well as an opportunity for attendees to get their professional headshots taken by one of the presenting organizations.

The first 50 individuals who register will also be entered into a raffle for a free yearlong co-working membership at the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization.

The expo will be held at the center located at 307 E Railroad Street in Weslaco.

"The first step to small business success is understanding your resources, and the Startup Resource Expo is a fantastic opportunity to learn about those resources," said Angela Burton, district director of Small Business Administration's Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. "We look forward to visiting with inspired participants and discussing their entrepreneurial dreams."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first Startup Resource Expo in 2021 was held virtually. This year's event will mark the first time that presenting organizations and attendees will be able to interact with one another.

"The Startup Resource Expo is a must for any entrepreneur in the RGV," said Evan Garcia, UTRGV student and local founder of FutrDoc who attended the virtual Startup Resource Expo last year. "It's the best way to network with local experts who can help your idea succeed."

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR INNOVATION & COMMERCIALIZATION 

The UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization strives to transform the Rio Grande Valley and serve as the regional entrepreneurial hub. By providing the necessary resources and support systems, the center is committed to helping local entrepreneurs create successful scalable enterprises and promote economic growth in a region that has been historically underdeveloped.

To RSVP for the expo, visit https://loom.ly/CcpzZvA.