NMSU’s Hunt Center strengthens Borderplex startup ecosystem

WRITER: Alejandro Najera-Acosta, a_najera@nmsu.edu 
SOURCE: Carlos Murguia, cmurguia@nmsu.edu 

The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, in collaboration with Startup Chihuahua, Startup Juárez and Tecnológico de Monterrey through its Parque Tecnológico Orión, has concluded the 2026 Borderplex Fundraising Sprint, a six-week accelerator program designed to help regional startups navigate the fundraising process and prepare for investment opportunities.

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 supporting the development of innovative products and services.

Launched in mid-May, the 2026 Borderplex Fundraising Sprint brought together entrepreneurs from across the Borderplex and Chihuahua regions, including El Paso, Las Cruces, Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua City. Building on the momentum of the inaugural 2025 cohort, this year’s program expanded its collaboration with Tecnológico de Monterrey, broadening access to investment networks and cross-border mentorship.

Participants engaged in weekly sessions focused on developing investment-ready pitch decks, refining fundraising strategies and gaining a deeper understanding of financial instruments, data room preparation and investor expectations.

“The 2026 Borderplex Fundraising Sprint demonstrated what happens when regional institutions unite around a shared mission,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center. “Adding Tecnológico de Monterrey and Parque Tecnológico Orión to our partnership elevated the program by giving founders access to a broader network of mentors, investors and innovation ecosystems. We are proud of every founder who completed this sprint and excited to see them pursue capital with confidence.”

Throughout the six-week program, participants took part in workshops that combined fundraising theory with practical application. The curriculum included interactive workshops, hands-on pitch deck development, mentoring groups and opportunities for immediate feedback. Founders strengthened their understanding of fundraising timelines, negotiation strategies, financial terminology and investor relations.

“Every startup is a journey, and for Keep Chill, the Borderplex Fundraising Sprint 2026 helped us understand what that journey really requires,” said Jorge Calderon, founder and CEO of Keep Chill, a platform focused on helping individuals and organizations access affordable mental health and wellness resources. “Beyond fundraising, the program gave us a clearer view of investor expectations, strategy, legal and financial preparation, and the importance of building the right systems and foundations from the beginning. It helped us move from being a project with a vision to becoming a startup preparing to scale and raise capital.”

The program culminated in a live pitch presentation to regional investors and ecosystem leaders.

“The 2026 cohort showed measurable progress in founder preparedness,” said Andrés Guzmán, director of Startup Chihuahua. “Expanding the program to include Tecnológico de Monterrey strengthened our collective ability to support startups as they pursue capital and scale their impact across the Borderplex and beyond.”

“The Borderplex Fundraising Sprint provided valuable insight into how investors evaluate early-stage ventures and helped us sharpen the way we communicate Tetronium Technologies’ vision,” said Jeremy Bruggemann, CEO of Tetronium Technologies, a company developing advanced technologies for critical industry applications. “The program challenged us to think strategically about fundraising while connecting us with an outstanding network of mentors, founders and ecosystem partners committed to growing innovation in the Borderplex region.”

“Connecting founders with high-quality fundraising education and cross-border networks is at the core of what we do at Parque Tecnológico Orión,” said Claudia Ortega, director of Parque Tecnológico Orión. “Participating in the 2026 Borderplex Fundraising Sprint gave our entrepreneurs access to knowledge, strategic partnerships and investor relationships that extend well beyond the local market.”

The initiative highlights the value of binational partnerships in expanding access to capital and strengthening the innovation ecosystem across the U.S.-Mexico border region.

For more information about upcoming entrepreneurship programs and events at the Hunt Center, contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu or visit the Hunt Center website. To learn more about Startup Chihuahua, visit startupchihuahua.com. To learn more about Startup Juárez, visit startupjuarez.com. Additional information about Parque Tecnológico Orión is available through its Instagram.

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, backed by Desarrollo Económico del Estado de Chihuahua, and Startup Juárez, backed by Desarrollo Económico de Ciudad Juárez, champion entrepreneurship, science, technology and innovation to strengthen regional competitiveness by creating conditions that help science- and technology-based ventures develop and scale.

Parque Tecnológico Orión, part of the Tecnológico de Monterrey ecosystem in Chihuahua, Mexico, is a regional innovation hub that supports technology-based startups through incubation, acceleration and industry collaboration.