The Bridge Accelerator Program was created to expand the participation of local companies as suppliers of large manufacturers and maquiladoras in the Paso del Norte region with a rigorous 12-week program. The Bridge was created in a partnership with Technology Hub­­­, Pioneers 21 and Fundación Axcel, a fund of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.

The Bridge’s Spring 2020 Virtual Demo Day event takes place Friday, June 26.

For the Bridge Accelerator Program to continue to mentor businesses from the Paso del Norte region, it looks to its partnership with the Paso del Norte Community Foundation to help grow funds for the program.

“Having a partner like Paso del Norte Community Foundation is so important because it allows us not only to receive and grow our funds so this type of program can run,” said Ricardo Mora, CEO of Technology Hub in Ciudad Juárez. “It also helps us because it shows the work we are doing with a good organization that is strong in our region and puts us out there in the community for future projects.”

Spring 2020 Demo Day is an opportunity for small businesses to pitch their plans to leading manufacturing supply chain executives and seek investors. The program prepares and mentors these companies by giving them the tools, resources, and capital needs to bid and be competitive in negotiating contracts.

High Desert Capital is one of the sponsors of Spring 2020 Demo Day.

“There’s a big need in our community to build some of these midsize companies so that some of these larger manufacturers are not taking their money outside of our community to purchase some of their needs,” said Ed Escudero, CEO of High Desert Capital. “If the Bridge Accelerator can help us develop our local companies as a source, then it is a great thing for our region.”

The Bridge Accelerator is also supported by Microsoft and sponsored by TECMA Group, Transtelco, the City of El Paso, the Chihuahua Department of Innovation and Economic Development, the City of Juarez, the Hunt Family Foundation, Arrowhead Center FIX at NMSU, WestStar Bank, Seisa Medical, CIDER, Fideapech, the Borderplex Alliance, Ciudad Juárez Economic Development (DECJ), Detroit Axle and others.

Participating in Spring 2020 Demo Day are 16 companies that specialize in consulting, tech, design, engineering, and more.

Jose Gerardo, CEO, and founder of General Labels & Printing is a participant in the 2020 cohort of the Bridge Accelerator Program. General Labels & Printing is a converter and printer of pressure-sensitive products.

“We are looking forward to having a good opportunity to connect with companies and individuals who want to support local suppliers so that we can maximize our potential and become not just a viable enterprise but a legendary one,” said Gerardo. “Our company made the decision to join this program to support the cooperation between our two cities and to learn a thing or two that we might have overlooked somewhere along the way.”

The Bridge Accelerator’s Spring 2020 Demo Day will include introductions from Jorge Cella, Regional Director of Microsoft Philanthropies; Alejandra De la Vega, Secretary of Innovation and Economic Development for the State of Chihuahua; Alan Russell, President of TECMA Group; and Jessica Herrera, Director of City of El Paso Economic Development.

To view the Spring 2020 Demo Day Virtual Event and for more information about the Bridge Accelerator, register at http://tb-xl.com.