Events

Lunch & Learns

• Lunch & Learns are engaging, hour-long sessions designed to provide entrepreneurs with valuable insights from a variety of expert speakers. Each session delves into key topics essential for startup success, such as crafting effective business plans, securing funding, scaling your business, mastering digital marketing, and improving financial literacy. Whether you're seeking tips on pitching to investors or strategies for sustainable growth, these sessions offer practical advice and actionable takeaways. Join us with your lunch, and leave equipped with the tools and knowledge to drive your business forward!

  Who Should Attend?

  • Students: Gain practical knowledge and skills to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey or enhance your current business ideas.
  • Faculty and Staff: Learn about the latest trends and strategies to support and mentor students and community members in their entrepreneurial pursuits, or acquire the skills to start your own business.
  • Community Members: Discover valuable insights to help grow your business, learn from industry experts, and connect with like-minded individuals.

  What to Expect:

  • Interactive Sessions: Engaging presentations with opportunities for Q&A.
  • Expert Speakers: Insights from successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and subject matter experts.
  • Practical Advice: Actionable tips and strategies that can be applied to your own ventures.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow attendees and build valuable relationships.

  What You Will Learn: Topics for the Lunch & Learns vary, but for each session, you will walk away with the following:

  • Strategic Insights: Key strategies for business growth and development tailored to the session topic.
  • Effective Problem-Solving: Practical approaches to overcoming common entrepreneurial challenges related to the session’s focus.
  • Networking Techniques: Tips on how to build and leverage a strong professional network within the context of the topic discussed.
  • Industry Trends: Current trends and best practices relevant to the subject matter of the session.
  • Personalized Feedback: Answers to their individual questions or challenges, providing tailored guidance and clarity.
  • Valuable Resources: Recommendations for tools, books, websites, or organizations that can aid in their entrepreneurial efforts.
  

Startup Resource Expos 

• The Startup Resource Expo is an event designed to connect entrepreneurs with the vital resources needed to launch and grow their businesses. Engage with fellow innovators and access a diverse array of tools and support from UTRGV and its community partners. Discover valuable resources from UTRGV’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Entrepreneurship Commercialization Center (ECC), and the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), as well as community organizations like LiftFund, the Rio Grande Valley Angel Network, local banks, and Chambers of Commerce. These examples represent only a fraction of the resources you'll find at the event.  Whether you’re starting a new venture or scaling an existing one, the expo offers the connections and insights to propel your entrepreneurial journey.

  Who Should Attend:

  • Aspiring Entrepreneurs: If you have a startup idea or are in the early stages of launching your business, this event is tailored for you. Connect with organizations that provide the guidance and tools necessary to turn your vision into a reality.
  • Established Business Owners: For those looking to scale their existing ventures, the expo offers valuable insights into new opportunities, funding options, and resources to help your business grow.
  • Investors: Discover promising startups and connect with entrepreneurs seeking investment. Learn about the latest trends and opportunities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Support Organizations and Mentors: Engage with other organizations and mentors who are committed to supporting the entrepreneurial community. Share knowledge, network, and explore potential collaborations.
  • UTRGV Students: As future entrepreneurs and business leaders, UTRGV students can benefit from early exposure to startup resources, networking opportunities, and practical insights to help shape their entrepreneurial aspirations.
  • Community Members: Local residents interested in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem or learning more about innovative startups and resources available in the Rio Grande Valley are encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity to see how local businesses and startups contribute to the community's economic growth.

  What to Expect:

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry experts, and potential partners in a collaborative environment. Build valuable relationships and exchange ideas with others in the startup ecosystem.
  • Resource Exhibits: Explore a wide range of resources and support services from UTRGV and its partners. Discover tools and assistance available for various stages of business development.
  • Expert Presentations: Attend informative sessions led by experts who will share insights into critical aspects of launching and scaling a business. Gain practical knowledge and tips from seasoned professionals.
  • One-on-One Consultations: Take advantage of personalized consultations with experts from different fields. Receive advice and answers to specific questions about your business.
  • UTRGV Swag Giveaway: Take part in our exciting giveaways for a chance to win exclusive UTRGV merchandise and show your school spirit.
  • Complimentary Lunch: Savor a delicious lunch on us while networking and engaging with fellow attendees.
  • Snacks and Beverages: Stay energized throughout the event with a variety of tasty snacks and refreshing beverages available.
  Professional Headshots: Enhance your professional image with a free headshot session at our Headshot Event. Capture a polished, professional look to elevate your personal brand.  

TechConnect  

• TechConnect is a quarterly event designed to link entrepreneurs with tech professionals, providing a platform to transform innovative ideas into reality. Entrepreneurs pitch their concepts to tech experts who have the skills to make those ideas come to life. In addition to pitching and pairing, TechConnect functions as a networking hub where participants can engage with like-minded individuals, explore potential collaborations, and build valuable partnerships. This event fosters collaboration, supports the development of groundbreaking projects, and fosters a vibrant community of innovators driving technological progress.

  Who Should Attend?

  • Entrepreneurs: Those with innovative ideas or startups seeking tech expertise, mentorship, and potential partnerships.
  • Tech Professionals: Experts, developers, and engineers interested in collaborating on cutting-edge projects and contributing their technical skills.
  • Investors: Individuals looking to connect with promising startups and emerging technologies.
  • Industry Enthusiasts: Anyone passionate about technology, innovation, and the startup ecosystem.

  What to Expect

  • Pitch Sessions: Entrepreneurs present their ideas to a panel of tech professionals for feedback and potential collaboration.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech experts.
  • Collaborative Environment: Engage in discussions and explore potential partnerships that can drive your project forward.
  

TechExpo  

• The Tech Expo is a half-day event designed to spotlight early-stage technology ventures, offering a platform for entrepreneurs and tech experts to present their latest innovations and solutions. The Expo features live demonstrations of emerging technologies, providing attendees with practical insights into their potential applications. One of the key objectives is to see if some of the connections and collaborations formed from previous TechConnect events materialize into tangible outcomes. The event also creates valuable networking opportunities, enabling participants to connect with fellow professionals, potential partners, and investors. Additionally, industry experts share their knowledge through brief presentations and interactive Q&A sessions, fostering a collaborative and informative atmosphere.

   

  Who Should Attend:

  • Entrepreneurs and startups looking to showcase their technology or find new opportunities
  • Tech enthusiasts eager to see the latest innovations
  • Investors interested in emerging technologies and potential partnerships
  • Industry professionals seeking networking opportunities and collaboration
  • Students and academics wanting to learn about cutting-edge technology and industry trends    Community Leaders hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the tech and entrepreneurial landscape in the Rio Grande Valley and explore how they can support local innovation and growth

   

  What to Expect:

  • Live demonstrations of innovative technologies and solutions
  • Networking sessions with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts
  • Brief presentations from leading experts in technology
  • Interactive Q&A sessions for in-depth discussions and insights
  • Opportunities to explore potential collaborations and partnerships

  What You Will Learn:

  • Practical applications and potential impacts of emerging technologies
  • Insights from industry experts on current trends and future directions in tech
  • Strategies for leveraging technology for business growth and innovation
  • How to forge valuable connections with potential partners and investors
  • Real-world examples of successful tech ventures and their development journeys