IN NO VA TI ON

SUCCEED Program

  • Entrepreneurial Development
  • Technical Mentorship
  • Pitch
    Academy
  • Acceleration
Entrepreneurial Development

Our team will offer a variety of courses and events focused on solar energy devices and support for startups and entrepreneurs at all stages. Together, our team will offer a variety of courses and events and provide participating companies access to expert consultants and successful energy entrepreneurs and business people, R&D networks, legal and accounting services.

Technical Mentorship

The UTRGV Center for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Cyber Systems (CAMICS) will provide technical support for solar energy device design and product development for selected teams. University faculty from manufacturing engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical and computer science will be assigned to selected teams providing R&D support for technology selection, design, prototype/analysis, and manufacturing. Other institution members at will provide additional technical support in the case that additional technical expertise is needed.

Pitch Academy

Teams will participate in a four-day intensive workshop to learn how to effectively pitch to an investor or Angel Group. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures and get real-time feedback from local angels, entrepreneurs and mentors. Once companies have completed the Pitch Academy, they will pitch to a screening committee and selected companies will pitch to the full angel group.

Acceleration

The top ventures from each cohort will be selected for an intensive acceleration program led by the USMFS. This program will include a two-day Technology Business Accelerator (TechBA) War Room, a high-level strategic session comprising a team of consultants, business experts and the management team of the supported ventures. This is a substantial part of the acceleration methodology. Participants receive personalized support from start to finish of the program and have access to tools like the TechBA Market Finder.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Startups, Small Companies, Entrepreneurs and Students with innovative products, services and ideas in:

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— CSP — Electric vehicle/Electric Vehicle charging stations and infrastructure —solar airplanes, drones and trains — Smart Grid — Microgrid— Thermal and thermal storage — Smart Energy/Smart Energy Management— Building —integrated PV systems — Solar-integrated roads