RGV StartUp Week to Showcase Rio Grande Valley's Entrepreneurial Spirit

BCIC's Cori Peña previews the annual event highlighting the region's unique culture and business opportunities.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:03pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life featuring a collection of premium business objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the entrepreneurial spirit of the Rio Grande Valley.A showcase of the Rio Grande Valley's entrepreneurial ecosystem, RGV StartUp Week provides a platform for local startups and small businesses to learn, connect, and grow.Brownsville Today

RGV StartUp Week, co-hosted by Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation and UT-Rio Grande Valley's Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center, is the Rio Grande Valley's annual entrepreneurial celebration. The event, running from April 24 to May 2, offers a week of educational workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on resources for aspiring and established business owners.

Why it matters

The Rio Grande Valley has a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and RGV StartUp Week provides a platform to showcase the region's unique culture and business opportunities. The event aims to support local startups and small businesses, which are crucial to the economic development of the border region.

The details

Cori Peña, the president and CEO of Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, says RGV StartUp Week is 'a dynamic showcase of the Valley's unique culture and entrepreneurial spirit, providing a platform for aspiring and established business owners to learn, connect, and grow.' The event features a variety of educational workshops, networking events, and resources to help entrepreneurs in the region start and grow their businesses.

  • RGV StartUp Week will be held from April 24 to May 2, 2026.

The players

Cori Peña

The president and CEO of Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, which is co-hosting RGV StartUp Week.

Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation

A local organization that is co-hosting RGV StartUp Week, an annual entrepreneurial celebration in the Rio Grande Valley.

UT-Rio Grande Valley's Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center

The co-host of RGV StartUp Week, which provides resources and support for entrepreneurs in the region.

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What they’re saying

“It's a dynamic showcase of the Valley's unique culture and entrepreneurial spirit, providing a platform for aspiring and established business owners to learn, connect, and grow.”

— Cori Peña, President and CEO, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation

The takeaway

RGV StartUp Week is an important event that highlights the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Rio Grande Valley, providing valuable resources and networking opportunities for local startups and small businesses. The event's focus on the region's unique culture and business opportunities underscores the potential for economic growth and development in this border community.