The Lunch & Learn Speaker Series is an hour long, mini-business speaker series available 2 to 3 times in the fall and spring semesters. The speakers and topics vary and provide entrepreneurial guidance, helpful tips and best practices for a successful startup venture.

Our mission at the Raymondville Economic Development Corp. is to help existing businesses remain successful, to foster local entrepreneurship, and to recruit new industry and businesses.

We are an independent company, made up of independent people. Thinkers, tinkerers, designers, writers, planners, inventors . We seek to bring innovation into everything we do. Our independence defines us, not a holding company. Because while anywhere can offer up the muscle, only a shop as independent as ours can put in the passion necessary to create real results for your brand. At Cultura Marketing, we live for the stuff that nobody else can solve, the unsolvable. With an eye toward true innovation, we give answers to the unanswerable. That means first of its kind media, creative, data and technology. Ideas that are data fueled and insight driven.

TMAC stands for Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center. We are an MEP affiliate, consisting of eight Texas partner institutions, providing affordable technical management, consulting and training services for companies in pursuit of accelerating profitable growth and improving products, processes and people statewide.

The process for developing and moving a new technology out of the University and into a commercial product requires input from both intellectual property (IP) and business professionals to understand the scope and value of any new technology. This process is iterative, and success requires the creator’s involvement well beyond the lab or workstation. Our office is here to help all parties navigate the process.

We offer essential marketing services to help your business stay up to the latest digital trends, graphics, and marketing ideas. We provide creative photography, videography, graphic design, website design, and much more to keep your business marketing up to date. We have a strong team that works daily on the backend of your business to keep your public image going. Services include: Branding, Social Media Management, Graphic Design, Website Design, Photography, and Videography.

We are a branding and marketing agency dedicated to growing your business and driving results. From branding to website development, our team has the expertise to take your business to the next level.

The mission of the RGV Hispanic Chamber is to promote economic development & assist businesses to access the Hispanic market through networking, promoting education and nurturing leadership. Our in-house satellite offices of SBA, UTPA-SBDC and Acción Texas provide financial assistance and guidance. Our purpose is to serve the ever-growing small business community all along the South Texas border.

The Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center's (ECC) mission is to assist entities and entrepreneurs to develop and expand their venture through education. ECC serves as a real life entrepreneurship laboratory for the University and the community where entrepreneurs can collaborate to take advantage of opportunities and create value through business incubation, networking, funding opportunities, and research in today's global environment.

Harlingen’s central location in the Rio Grande Valley provides numerous business opportunities. Access to a large, trained workforce, network of interstates and highways, and proximity to the Port of Harlingen, the Free Trade International Bridge, and Valley International Airport give businesses the advantages they need to grow and thrive.

In The Market Lab, entrepreneurs learn how to conduct their own market research, identify their target market, conduct focus groups, test their products or services to determine the viability of their business idea. Ever wondered how a business becomes successful right from the start? How do they know what their customers want and how much they are willing to pay? How do entrepreneurs get funded? If you are an entrepreneur or are interested in owning a business one day, you will want to learn how market research can be your key to success.

We are so honored to provide our expertise in Website Design & Development, Business Development, and Branding Development to help businesses grow. Our journey began in April 2011 in a tiny 100 sq. ft. office in McAllen, TX. We decided to merge our knowledge, experience, talents, and creativity to make a difference in our community. For over a decade, we've worked with hundreds of clients in the Rio Grande Valley, Statewide, and across the country. We've been entrusted by new and established businesses in a variety of different industries to help them further their business goals, customer retention, and sales objectives.

The Data and Information Systems Center (DISC) at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley can help. DISC specializes in data and information systems. With its professional staff, resources, and experience, DISC is your source for data, research, impact analysis, and maps.

WE EXIST TO WORK YOU THROUGH THE MAZE OF GOVERNMENTAL CONTRACTING PTAC provides technical services through trainings and one-on-one counseling to persons interested in obtaining contracts with local, state, and federal governmental entities. PTAC helps businesses obtain state and federal certifications and understand the contracting process.

THE PEOPLE, THE CULTURE, THE OPPORTUNITY The City of Hidalgo continues to experience an exceptional growth pattern attracting people from all over the world coupled with a warm, respectful culture. That is why the City of Hidalgo is a prime location for SMBs and Corporations alike.

The Growth and Expansion Fund is an annual program designed by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation to foster new business development in McAllen. A prize of $7,500 will be awarded to the applicant that presents the best and more feasible business plan. The competition is specifically for established businesses and for-profit ventures who have been established for at least a year and are looking to apply those funds to grow or expand their existing business.

Your marketing should be the growth engine for your company – generating new sales leads, expanding and growing your existing accounts, and positioning your company to be a market leader.

VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER To help create, retain, and develop Veteran-owned businesses across Texas by coupling Veterans with local, SBA-sponsored technical and managerial assistance.

ML provides all the core services of a traditional public accounting firm; assurance, tax, accounting and management consulting to both domestic and international businesses and individuals. However, we also provide specialized services in fraud and forensics, cross border transactions with Mexico, accounting and management consulting for Maquiladora/IMMEX, business services, litigation support, and information technology.

The Pitch Academy is a 4-day intensive workshop offered and held at the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization that helps entrepreneurs become pitch ready by helping them understand the challenges of pitching to Angel Investors and raising capital.

The Alamo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was created to sustain and improve the economic conditions of the community by increasing private enterprise and creating jobs in the City of Alamo. As result, the Alamo EDC works to promote projects that will increase/retain employment, provide higher wages, increase sales tax, and increase property tax as benefits to the residents of City of Alamo, TX.

We are dedicated to giving emerging artists the support needed to establish and sustain themselves in our local economy. Every year, five to six artists are accepted into the ABI SPI program. During this time, these art-related entrepreneurs are granted access to their own studio space and gallery space, along with many other invaluable resources, at no cost to them. Our staff works diligently to provide a comfortable and supportive learning environment for the in-resident artists as they develop and refine their business skills. Our primary objective is to support the growth of art culture in our community in a way that is sustainable. ABI SPI (pronounced “abbey”, SPI) sets out to “incubate” artists who have the desire to own and operate their own art-related business on South Padre Island. The Incubator was created to nurture and establish a sufficient mass of art related businesses to allow us to market South Padre Island effectively as a beach destination that is also an arts destination.

Retama Business Center offers rental of Executive Offices where your company will instantly have top quality facilities and the best corporate image. We have offices of different sizes, designs and configurations ready to be occupied by national and international companies seeking the best corporate image and everything necessary to consolidate their business.

Financial planning licensed professional. Offers services in life insurance, debt management, retirement planning, funeral expenses and estate planning for yourself and your business. Protect your money from loss.

Digital Media Solutions for any budget. Estrella Digital Media is a team of Digital Marketing specialists in McAllen, Hidalgo and Cameron County Texas, both on staff and in network that are dedicated to providing the type of marketing results everyone needs but most don’t have time to support. Each Estrella team member works only on their specialty, providing our customers with 5 Star results. We know digital marketing takes time to do right, and even more time to monitor and manage. Our core value is providing local businesses in McAllen, Hidalgo and Cameron County Texas, with an outsourced marketing department that will give your advertising plan the attention it needs while getting you back to what you do best- running your business!

If you are looking for a Hot Desk membership you can work in any of the 10 rooms we have available includes FREE WiFi and access from Monday - Friday

Provides workforce training, small business advice and foreign investor opportunities. We can help develop or enhance the skills of existing employees or members of any business or industry.

The RGV Partnership is a business-friendly nonprofit organization that encourages collaboration among the four counties of our region – Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County. Our organization drives for the enhancement of our members to improve their return on investment and improve their quality of life in our region.

The Rafael Munguia Business Plan Competition is an event focused on challenging teams with the task of creating a business plan and concept pitch video aimed at convincing potential investors to finance their business ventures. Have a business plan in your pocket? Apply to win up to $5,000. Up to 10 student and 10 community teams will be selected as finalists, be given mentorship and have the chance to pitch their business plan at the final competition this Spring. Click Here for more details.

CONNECTING INVESTORS AND FOUNDERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

TVC RGV is a team-based mentorship program in partnership with the University of Texas System. TVC-RGV provides a quality, conflict-free, team-based entrepreneurship mentoring program to help guide UTRGV and community innovators through their startup journey.

The Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office in Harlingen, Texas is committed to fostering economic growth by providing assistance to the small businesses that are located in its area of operation. We are determined to reach out to small businesses in unprecedented ways, to listen to their needs and to focus on customer outreach and quality management.

The eBridge Fund program is designed to provide a more attainable option for businesses who are otherwise unable to obtain conventional bank financing or need a more competitive rate in comparison to current market rates. The objective of the eBridge Fund is to serve as an economic development tool to encourage business retention and expansion, relocation of businesses to Cameron County as well as assisting new start-ups that in return will retain and/or create employment opportunities and stimulate investment in the community. *A program by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.

Receive high-quality professional services, from A & E Bookkeeping Services based in McAllen, TX. Whether your project is large or small, A & E Bookkeeping Services can provide the resources and solutions you need to get the job done right. Our track record for accuracy, efficient, timely service, and subject matter expertise make insurmountable tasks possible to overcome. Services include: Bookkeeping, Payroll, Tax Preparation, Budgets & Forecasting, Finance Consultation and Coaching, External Auditing, Representation before any governmental agency.

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses thrive by creating economic momentum, accelerating connections and enhancing the quality of life in the region. By joining the Chamber you are supporting the following efforts; economic development, public policy, membership and tourism.

FastTrac® NewVenture™ provides the tools to develop a business concept, determine the viability of the business concept, and outline the critical steps to a successful business launch. The program encompasses facilitated instruction throughout 7 sessions every Wednesday starting on January 25th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm through Wednesday, March 8th. This program is sponsored by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation at no cost to the attendees.

Whether it's new business development or business expansion, it's made easy when working with the Business Development Fund of Texas. Our mission is to promote economic development by assisting the growth and expansion of the small business community. Our vision is to be the leading Certified Development Company for small business by providing innovative financial programs. In doing so, the community benefits in additional jobs, business growth and tax revenues from a growing business.

SCORE Rio Grande Valley mentors are highly successful and seasoned business professionals and entrepreneurs with the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your small business goals. Browse resources, take a workshop, or find your business mentor today!

Centrally located in the City of Weslaco, The Center for Innovation and Commercialization (CIC) is transforming the Rio Grande Valley by serving as the regional entrepreneurial hub for both the Lower and Upper Valley.

Daniel Elijah Vargas, Attorney specializing in Employment and Business Law.  Other Business Law Areas include: Workplace Injury and Employment Law, Business Formations, Business Litigation, Employment Contracts, Non-Solicitation or Non-Compete, EEOC Complaints, Separation or Severance Packages, Small Business Consulting The Vargas Law Office - where hard work and perseverance breeds success!

The big idea competition is a shark tank-like event that is open to aspiring entrepreneurs in the RGV where participants have the opportunity to pitch their business ventures for a chance to win seed money.

iVENTURE is a 7-week ideation program, where selected participants develop their business ideas and identify if their potential ventures are feasible.

Providing professionals of all levels and enterprises of all sizes with a work experience unlike any other in the RGV. Private, professional fraternity. A society can enable its members to benefit in ways that would otherwise be difficult on an individual basis. At Society 204: A Co-working Community, we provide a collaborative community where businesses of all sizes feel welcome and find a productive atmosphere. Whether you are seeking a private office lease, a co-working membership, or a vibrant space to network and elevate your business savvy, Society 204 is dedicated to fulfilling all of your professional needs in one of the Rio Grande Valley’s historic buildings boasting pristine office and open work spaces.

Do you own a business? The UTRGV SBDC provides confidential, one-to-one business advisement at no cost for growth-oriented businesses! Advanced business training is also available for free or at a low cost to help you address today’s business challenges. Learn more about growing a business.