WRITER: Alejandro Najera-Acosta, 575-646-2025, a_najera@nmsu.edu
The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, in collaboration with Startup Chihuahua and Startup Juárez, has successfully concluded the 2025 Borderplex Fundraising Sprint, a six-week accelerator program designed to help regional startups navigate the complexities of raising capital.
The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by empowering diverse communities to pursue entrepreneurship, expanding access to early-stage investment opportunities, and inspiring development of innovative products and services for the commercial market.
Launched in early March, the Borderplex Fundraising Sprint brought together a cohort of entrepreneurs from across the Borderplex and Chihuahua City region. Participants engaged in weekly sessions focused on developing investment-ready pitch decks, refining fundraising strategies, and deepening their understanding of key financial instruments and investor expectations.
“This program was built on the idea that regional collaboration fuels stronger outcomes,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center. “We were thrilled to see founders from both sides of the border actively learning, sharing insights, and preparing to access capital that can take their startups to the next level. This is the kind of cross-border synergy that builds a thriving innovation ecosystem.”
Throughout the six-week program, participants engaged in sessions that offered theoretical knowledge and practical insights on creating pitch decks. They deepened their understanding of fundraising timelines, data room preparation and fundraising strategies. The program included interactive workshops, hands-on activities and opportunities for immediate feedback, enabling participants to craft, evaluate and refine their pitch decks efficiently. The sprint featured a mix of lectures, discussions, breakout groups and individual mentoring, culminating in a virtual live pitch presentation to regional investors.
“The Borderplex Fundraising Sprint, led by the Hunt Center, provided invaluable tools and opened critical pathways for early-stage startups across the region,” said Andres Guzman, director of Startup Chihuahua. “Thanks to their leadership, entrepreneurs gained the clarity and confidence needed to engage with investors and pursue funding, outcomes that will create lasting impact in the Borderplex ecosystem.”
“The Borderplex Fundraising Sprint gave us valuable insights into how to approach investors, what materials we need to have prepared and how to negotiate effectively,” said Alex Melendez, co-founder of Dangus, a comprehensive platform designed to optimize construction project management and expenses. “I highly recommend it to any startup preparing to embark on the fundraising journey.”
This initiative, supported by the Municipal Government of Chihuahua and the Instituto de Apoyo al Desarrollo Tecnológico, represents a significant milestone in expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs in an often-overlooked region. The program reinforced the value of binational partnerships in addressing common challenges and creating inclusive opportunities for economic growth.
"I feel that this type of initiative provides a lot of value to entrepreneurs in the region. When I first started my journey as an entrepreneur, I would've loved to have something like this available to me," said Gabriel Omar Parra Pizarro, CEO of Lymbika. "This program answers many of the questions any startup founder might have about how to launch and raise capital for their startup."
For more information about upcoming entrepreneurship programs and events at the Hunt Center, contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu or visit https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/the-hunt-center/.
To learn more about Startup Chihuahua, visit https://startupchihuahua.com.
Arrowhead Center serves as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, driving economic development and fostering a culture of creativity. The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, established through a transformative gift from the Hunt Family Foundation, spearheads these efforts by empowering diverse entrepreneurs, supporting student startups, and advancing economic growth.
Startup Chihuahua and Startup Juarez champion entrepreneurship, science, technology and innovation to enhance regional competitiveness. The organizations create favorable conditions for developing and scaling science- and technology-based business models.
The initiative benefits from strategic support by the Municipal Government of Chihuahua and the Instituto de Apoyo al Desarrollo Tecnológico, which provide critical resources and regional expertise to amplify its impact.
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PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Borderplex Fundraising Sprint participants Alex Melendez, Miriam Fernandez Ferez, Gabriel Omar Parra Pizarro and Cesar Quinones recently completed the sprint, a six-week accelerator program designed to help regional startups navigate the complexities of raising capital. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Collage photo of four people.