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Join us in celebrating the 2025 ICON Award winners at Startup Casa on March 7th in Austin (adjacent to SXSW)—for a special ceremony dedicated to showcasing the talented and vibrant Latino startup ecosystem. This year, we proudly honor Isabel Casillas Guzman, Maxeme Tuchman, and Eduardo Medina. The ICON Award recognizes distinguished Latino founders, funders and field-builders whose success is inspiring and who continue to make remarkable contributions as innovators and community leaders. Congratulations to all the awardees! Register here bit.ly/startupcasa25 to cheer them on and hear about their incredible journeys. Jorge M. Calderon Monica Hoyos Martens Elvia Perez Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA BetterUp Hispanics in Philanthropy

You had me at café! ☕. Progeny Coffee is back as a pop-up coffee shop at Startup Casa on March 7th in Austin. Come for a sip or two and stay for a full day of Latino startup community festivities. 🌟 🤖 Got an AI startup and want some feedback? Grab an espresso and join the AI funder/founder/mentor speed dating activity in the morning. (Fill out this interest form if you want in! https://lnkd.in/gA-kXkT6 🇨🇴 Want to catch up with an old friend or make new ones? Do it over a latte made with Colombian-sourced awesomeness. 🌞 Need a pick-me-up between panels in the afternoon? Yep, Progeny’s got something for you. It’s Latino Startup Day at Startup Casa—startupcasa.org. Register here for fun and inspiration today: bit.ly/startupcasa25. 🎉 Monica Hoyos Martens, Jacob (Jake) Lefker, Elvia Perez, Jorge M. Calderon Progeny Coffee, Maria Jose Palacio. #latinafounders, #startupforgood, #AI, #mentoring

🌟 Join us for a vibrant celebration of the Latino startup community during Mercado time at Startup Casa on Friday, March 7th in Austin! Step into a setting reminiscent of your favorite Latin plaza Mercado, featuring the Startup CPG Expo with brands and products you won’t want to miss. Enjoy interactive activities like 🎨 airbrush tattoos, 📸 photos with lowrider motorcycles, 🎯 lawn games, tropical treats from 🍓 paleta and fruit carts, a 🌮 taco truck, beverages, and more… Startup Casa runs from 10 AM to 11 PM CST, but the Mercado experience is scheduled from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM CST, so don’t miss out—📝 register today (bit.ly/startupcasa25) for Startup Casa. If you’re a CPG or related startup and want to be part of the Expo during Mercado, sign up through this 📝 interest form: bit.ly/mercadoatcasa We can’t wait to celebrate with you all at Startup Casa! 🎉 Jorge M. Calderon, Jacob (Jake) Lefker, Monica Hoyos Martens, Elvia Perez #bettertogether, #latinostartupecosystem, #cpg

Got plans for SXSW 2025 this March? Looking for a mix of fun, learning, and endless opportunities to connect? We’ve got you covered! We believe collaboration is key to progress. We’re passionate about building bridges, sparking new ideas, and uniting the entrepreneurial community. That’s why we’re spotlighting must-attend events led by organizations we admire and often collaborate with—great people doing great things. Check out the details below, register, update your calendars, and get ready to experience SXSW like never before. You won’t want to miss it. We can’t wait to see you there! — 🔥 2nd Annual Immersion Day:  March 5, 2025 By: Oracle NetSuite Accelerator & VC Practice George Ploss, Emily T. Davila 2:30-5:00 pm- Meet the Founders: A Private Investor Showcase 5:00-8:00 pm- Networking Reception Alongside FoundersX Registration: https://lnkd.in/g55iiAnK 🔥 Equitech Texas Welcome Breakfast:  March 7, 2025 By: Equitech, Modern Tender, UpSurge Baltimore Laurie Felker Jones Registration: bit.ly/equitech25 🔥 La Casa Argentina:  March 7, 2025 By: Argentina-Texas Chamber of Commerce Registration: https://lnkd.in/gWM7Ft7e 🔥 THE LIGHT HOUSE:  March 8 & 9 By: The Tech We Want @thetechwewant  #TheLightHouse2025 #TeamHuman  Aniyia L. Williams Registration: https://lnkd.in/dYFVGZYj 🔥 LBAN Networking Dinner:  March 8, 2025 By: Latino Business Action Network @LBANstrong   Jennifer Garcia Registration:  https://lnkd.in/gqSUWiiD 🔥 Espacio Latino, Innovation Hub:  March 8, 2025 By: WealthBuild.ai, Wells Fargo, Univision Foundation Registration:  https://lnkd.in/gyNBsBjk 🔥Casa Tech Mex & PItch Competition:  March 9, 2025 By: Capital Factory Luis Martinez  Event Registration: https://lnkd.in/gT2hQ8_T Pitch Competition Application:  https://lnkd.in/edjNuC-i 🔥 Startup Casa:  March 7, 2025 By: Inicio, Google for Startups Living Cities, J.P. Morgan Danny Navarro, Brittney Glass, Jorge M. Calderon, Monica Hoyos Martens, Elvia Perez, Jacob (Jake) Lefker, Joe Scantlebury, Santiago Carrillo, Norris Williams, Frank Medrano, Kate Farrell Bair Registration: bit.ly/startupcasa25

We luv our startup community! Come see why on March 7th in Austin at Startup Casa (adjacent to SXSW)—a festive day celebrating the contributions, talent, and potential of the Latino startup community. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day today, know that you’re appreciated, and bring your positive vibes for the next memorable celebration: Latino Startup Day at Startup Casa! (learn more: startupcasa.org) 🔗 Register now for fun and inspiration: bit.ly/startupcasa25 Jorge M. Calderon Monica Hoyos Martens Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA Elvia Perez

Nominate an Icon Awardee today! The Icon Award is a recognition by Inicio that will be presented through a live ceremony at La Startup Casa on March 7th in Austin, TX, during SXSW. Register to attend the event here: https://lu.ma/3secv5lz. Through a peer nomination process, we will celebrate inspiring Latino champions—founders, investors, field builders, or government leaders—whose accomplishments have helped inspire and advance the growth of the Latino startup community. The Icon Award serves as an inspiration for the next generation of Latino innovators, providing encouragement to diverse leaders currently shaping the startup ecosystem and showcasing the exceptional talent within our community. Nomination Due by Friday, January 17th - https://lnkd.in/ehFh8v7k Jorge M. Calderon Elvia Perez Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA Monica Hoyos Martens Edrizio De La Cruz James Gutierrez Karla Gallardo

📣 Major Announcement!  As we welcome the start of a new year, we’re thrilled to celebrate an important community milestone: the release of the 2024 Latino Startup Hub Report. This nearly 200-page primer shines a spotlight on 18 regions across the U.S. that are driving the growth of the Latino startup ecosystem.  https://lnkd.in/gSHsnk64 These 18 regions, each with at least a 20% Latino population and a strong or high-potential innovation system, represent the core of Latino innovation and entrepreneurship. The report highlights their progress and provides a detailed look at the infrastructure supporting their success—from visionary founders and transformative programs to essential resources and organizations. By documenting these stories and insights, we aim to amplify their efforts and engage the broader innovation community in supporting their continued growth. This report has also been instrumental in shaping Inicio’s forward-looking, multi-year strategy, which focuses on strengthening these regions through deeper connections, financial support, and knowledge sharing. ☀️ Insider Alert: We will soon be announcing the establishment of the Latino Startup Hub Accelerator and revealing the six regions that will be part of the first cohort! We invite you to dive into the 2024 Latino Startup Hub Report to learn more about these thriving hubs and discover ways to collaborate and contribute to the advancement of the Latino startup ecosystem for the benefit of all. #LatinoStartupHubs #LatinoStartupHubReport #InclusiveInnovation Jorge M. Calderon, Elvia Perez, Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA, Monica Hoyos Martens

As we close out an incredible year, we celebrate our partners and friends who made the 2024 Latinx/e Startup Hub Tour possible. Together, we championed Latino innovators and investors across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, advancing an inclusive startup ecosystem that thrives on diverse perspectives and lived experiences. These efforts not only spark innovation but also fuel the economy, create jobs, and uplift communities. Scalable, sustainable change requires collaboration, and we are deeply grateful to work alongside such visionary changemakers! Amplify LatinX TechRise Chicago Geekdom Capital Factory Techqueria LaFamilia Foundation Parallel18 Mana Tech Babson College Miami Check out this year’s metrics below, and stay tuned for what we have planned for 2025! 🚀 #HubTour24 Jorge M. Calderon Monica Hoyos Martens Elvia Perez Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA Monica Hinojos-Capes Alonso Cisneros Lucy Brennan Luis Martinez Joliz Cedeño Bianca Marina Corujo Carla Curiel Sergio Mankita, MBA

This #GivingTuesday, we celebrate our partners and friends at organizations championing #Latino innovators and investors in the U.S. #startup ecosystem.  A more inclusive innovation system benefits from the ingenuity and perspectives of those with lived experiences and whose success creates jobs, fuels the economy and uplifts communities.  Scalable, sustainable change requires collaboration, and we are grateful to work alongside these visionmakers. Please consider making a donation directly to these organizations. Your contributions fund mentorship programs, entrepreneurial resources, training and similar initiatives that drive meaningful change. #inclusiveinnovation Jorge M. Calderon Elvia Perez Monica Hoyos Martens Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the last stop of the Latinx Startup Hub Tour in vibrant San Juan, Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷✨ The day was a celebration of innovation, inspiration, and collaboration, highlighting the incredible talent fueling Puerto Rico’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The agenda offered opportunities for learning and growth, with standout panels and workshops for both startups and regional investors. Highlights included “Puerto Rico as an Innovation Hub,” a compelling panel led by Lucy Crespo and Ella Woger-Nieves of Invest Puerto Rico, and moderated by Hector Jirau, Ph.D., of Parallel18. On the entrepreneurial track, the panel “Future-Proofing Your Startup,” moderated by Denisse Rodríguez Colón (Colmena66), featured expert insights from Rolando Texidor (Aeronet), Manny Morales (ticketera®), and Alberto Lugo (INVID).  Our pitch event was inspiring, as founders pitched their ventures on stage for a chance to win over $35,000 in non-dilutive capital. Congratulations to all who participated: Amasar LLC, Tale+, Let's Burble, abartysHealth, CelerOps, Cuvro, DeafTawk, GameTask, KONTi Design | Build Studio, Konvex, MedETechni, Parrots AI, PSI Software, Quibble, RED Atlas, Skootel. We are deeply grateful to our incredible partners at Parallel18 for their unwavering support and leadership in making this event a reality. Thank you, San Juan, for an unforgettable conclusion to the Latinx Startup Hub Tour! 🚀✨ Bianca Marina Corujo Natasha Martínez Rivera Hispanics in Philanthropy Jorge M. Calderon Monica Hoyos Martens Elvia Perez Jacob (Jake) Lefker, MBA Inarú Yarí Meléndez Vázquez