Reporting on San Antonio’s Startups

Are You a Security Tech Startup? Apply by July 5 to gener8tor’s Cybersecurity Accelerator

13Jun

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Are You a Security Tech Startup? Apply by July 5 to gener8tor’s Cybersecurity Accelerator

Are you building a security technology startup and could use some help getting your cybersecurity product or service to market?Apply to gener8tor, a San Antonio-based startup accelerator designed for early-to-growth stage security tech-focused startups. The Fall 2023 cohort starts August 17 and runs for 12 weeks ending November 10. The deadline to apply for the Fall 2023 cybersecurity accelerator cohort is July 5.The gener8tor Cybersecurity Accelerator offers a cutting-edge program in San Antonio, Texas, home to the second-largest concentration of cybersecurity experts in the United States. San Antonio is home to the largest pool of certified cybersecurity experts outside the nation’s capital region, the U.S. Air Force Cyber headquarters, NSA Texas, a massive private sector presenc...

Top 5 IP Mistakes Startups Make — and How to Avoid Them

12Jun

By Guest AuthorNo Comments

Articles, Featured, Guest Posts

Top 5 IP Mistakes Startups Make — and How to Avoid Them

Samar Shah is a patent attorney at Outlier Patent Attorneys, PLLC, where he represents startups and enterprise companies on patents in the AI, robotics, cybersecurity, SaaS, and health-tech sectors, as well as advanced tech for medical devices, mechanical devices, and biotech applications.Startups often make costly intellectual property (IP) mistakes due to inexperience, lack of resources, or simply not addressing IP ownership and protection in agreements. Here’s a guide to help you understand what IP is, what to avoid, and the best practices you can implement as a startup navigating a seemingly daunting legal landscape. What is Intellectual Property or IP? IP generally covers creations of the mind but, more practically, can refer to a product idea, software, song, or even custom...

Robotic Prosthetics Startup Alt-Bionics Wins New Innovation Award

5Jun

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Robotic Prosthetics Startup Alt-Bionics Wins New Innovation Award

San Antonio robotics startup Alt-Bionics has garnered the first-ever Shaun D. Kennedy Award Of Excellence In Empathy & Innovation. On Monday, founder Ryan Saavedra announced his robotics startup had won this award and a non-diluting $15,000 cash prize that will help Alt-Bionics closer to its goal of helping those in need of an affordable robotic hand."Alt-Bionics mission is to create high functioning, highly affordable prosthetic devices for below-elbow amputees," Saavedra said. "We plan to expand our line of prosthetics over time to produce bionic upper limb and lower limb devices."San Antonio philanthropist Harvey Najim created this award to recognize an entrepreneur building a company focused on solutions for those with physical or developmental disabilities. The award is na...

Bunker Labs Partners with Geekdom to Support Veteran-Launched Startups

23May

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Bunker Labs Partners with Geekdom to Support Veteran-Launched Startups

National veteran-focused nonprofit Bunker Labs and Geekdom, San Antonio’s collaborative startup community, have partnered to support veterans and service members transitioning from a military career to entrepreneurship.Bunker Labs supports veterans virtually and with in-person entrepreneurial programs in almost 40 major cities across the U.S. The San Antonio chapter first launched in 2016, only to shut down during the height of the pandemic in 2020. CEO Blake Hogan said Bunker Labs has since relaunched its three main programs in San Antonio.Read: Bunker Labs Relaunches San Antonio Chapter to Support Veteran Startups One of Bunker Labs' programs is their Veterans in Residence business incubator for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned startups. Bunker Labs is partnering with Gee...

VelocityTX TechNovum accelerator graduates 5 new life science startups

11May

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

VelocityTX TechNovum accelerator graduates 5 new life science startups

The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio hosted a demo day Tuesday showcasing life science researchers who participated in UT Health’s six-week TechNovum accelerator program. VelocityTX, a San Antonio-based nonprofit innovation center, signed an agreement with UT Health San Antonio in February to run TechNovum. The TechNovum accelerator program was first launched in 2019 to support UT Health investigators interested in learning entrepreneurship to commercialize their inventions. Read: VelocityTX signs UT Health San Antonio agreement to run TechNovum accelerator The cohort included six UT Health San Antonio researchers from five new companies developing advances for the market. Jeremy Davis is an associate professor in UT’s Department of Neurology and Glenn Biggs Ins...

PorchPass Hires Rackspace Co-Founder to Scale Fintech Platform

10May

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

PorchPass Hires Rackspace Co-Founder to Scale Fintech Platform

PorchPass, a financial technology (fintech) app developed by Braustin Homes, has hired software developer Dirk Elmendorf, Rackspace Technology co-founder, along with Jobward developers Brett Elmendorf, Natalie Karney, and Emily Rodriguez to help scale the San Antonio startup’s fintech platform.PorchPass is the first fintech app designed for land buyers, sellers, and dealerships in the manufactured housing sector. Braustin Homes created PorchPass as a cash-backed solution to streamline the new home construction process for manufactured homes.While Braustin Homes addressed the need for a streamlined home-buying experience — something co-founder and CEO Alberto Piña discovered the U.S. homebuilding industry overall wrestles with — one critical piece was missing. These same buyers ofte...

Cybersecurity accelerator gener8tor admits 5 startups to its Spring 2023 cohort

28Apr

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Cybersecurity accelerator gener8tor admits 5 startups to its Spring 2023 cohort

gener8tor, a San Antonio-based startup accelerator, has recruited five security tech-focused startups for its Spring 2023 cybersecurity accelerator cohort.The Madison, Wisconsin-based nationally-ranked program is a member of the Global Accelerator Network. gener8tor invests in high-growth startups working on security technology solutions, supporting them via its network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors, and venture capitalists.The program is open to startups across the U.S. Each cohort in the cybersecurity accelerator will feature five companies participating in a 12-week program. Each company will receive a $100,000 investment from gener8tor in exchange for 7.5% equity. Founders will meet with gener8tor-vetted investors during the final we...

New BexarBio pitch competition May 1 features biomedical startups

27Apr

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

New BexarBio pitch competition May 1 features biomedical startups

VelocityTX is hosting an inaugural pitch competition for biotech entrepreneurs on May 1. The BexarBio pitch competition, sponsored by Bexar County’s Economic and Community Development Department, will feature four biomedical startups competing for $100,000 in cash prizes.The competition takes place 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Free tickets to attend are available here.The BexarBio finalists include Betty's Co., HERA Biotech, Neuro Rehab VR, and NeuraStasis.Betty's Co won first place in the 2021 TechFuel pitch competition. San Antonio-based founder and CEO Jennifer Newell launched a virtual care platform for young women in Texas that aims to grow into an online health store and mobile clinic focused on women's healthcare.San Antonio startup H...

Port San Antonio approves design phase for innovative office tower

13Apr

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Port San Antonio approves design phase for innovative office tower

Port San Antonio is moving ahead with its plan to add a 300,000-square-foot office tower to its expansive innovation-focused campus. The Port’s redevelopment plans for the former Kelly Air Force base southwest of downtown include a new multistory office tower that will house DeLorean Motor Co., a lab that simulates lunar terrain, and a “vertiport” for electric takeoff and landing vehicles. Thursday afternoon, the Port’s Board of Directors approved an agreement not to exceed $2 million with the Trammell Crow Company (TCC) for pre-development work on the state-of-the-art office tower at the intersection of Billy Mitchell Blvd. and General Hudnell Dr., the Port’s main entrance. TCC is a leading global commercial real estate developer and a wholly owned subsidiary of CBRE Group, Inc.“Tram...

Here’s who’s pitching April 19 at BioMedSA BioFest 2023

9Apr

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Here’s who’s pitching April 19 at BioMedSA BioFest 2023

BioMedSA, a member-driven organization promoting healthcare and biomedical industries in San Antonio, is hosting its annual spring event for bioscience entrepreneurs. The nonprofit is holding its annual BioFest Invest on April 19, starting at 8:00 am at the University of the Incarnate Word's Sky Room. BioFest Invest connects potential investors nationwide with Texas bioscience companies seeking investment funding while sharing best practices, connections, and valuable advice."Collaboration is embedded in the life science industry, as companies routinely connect with other organizations in San Antonio," BioMedSA CEO Heather Hanson said. "BioMedSA facilitates those collaborations as a hub for the life science industry in San Antonio."The day-long event, supported by over 40 spons...