Application deadline for 2026 RISE Up Harlingen Business Pitch Competition is July 6

HARLINGEN, Texas — Local economic development officials have officially opened the application window for the 2026 RISE Up Harlingen Business Pitch Competition, a high-stakes initiative designed to inject fresh capital and mentorship into the region's growing startup ecosystem.

The program, now in its third year, is a collaborative effort between the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC).

The initiative is built around the AdvanceUp Accelerator course, an intensive training program that equips entrepreneurs and early-stage startup founders with the tools necessary to scale their businesses.

The program will culminate on October 1, 2026, when finalists will present their business concepts to a live panel of judges. On the line is a combined $65,000 in grant funding:

Orlando Campos, CEO of the Harlingen EDC, emphasized the long-term economic impact the competition has had on the Cameron County community.

"RISE Up Harlingen continues to spark real momentum for local entrepreneurs, and we’re excited to bring it back for its third year," Campos said. "Through this competition, we’re seeing ideas move from concept to company, while also building a stronger, more dynamic innovation ecosystem in Harlingen."

The Harlingen EDC will select tenapplicants to participate in the 2026 cohort. To be eligible, entrepreneurs must commit to establishing or maintaining their business operations within the city limits of Harlingen.

Participants must adhere to a strict weekly schedule to qualify for the final pitch night:

Note: Full completion of the AdvanceUp Accelerator course is mandatory to participate in the live pitch event.

In an effort to expand the program's reach, the Harlingen EDC is also seeking regional corporate sponsors. According to organizers, 100 percent of all sponsorship contributions will go directly toward the prize money awarded to the winning entrepreneurs.

Prospective applicants can submit their details online via the Harlingen EDC website.

For further details regarding the application criteria or corporate sponsorship packages, inquiries can be directed to Maria Escobar, Small Business & Startup Manager for the Harlingen EDC, at 956-966-2692 or via email at mescobar@harlingenedc.com.