CapitalEDGE & NSF I-Corps Accelerator

The Innovation Network for Manufacturers is a regional initiative funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge. 

Led by the City of El Paso in partnership with Pioneers 21 and ART, EDGE helps manufacturers across the region grow, compete, and integrate into aerospace and defense supply chains.

We provide the tools, technical assistance, and connections manufacturers need to advance their capabilities, achieve recognized certifications, and engage with prime contractors.

Take your venture to the next level through the P21 CapitalEdge & NSF I-Corps Accelerator, a 10-week program designed to help entrepreneurs better understand their customers, validate market needs, and strengthen their path to growth. Beginning with NSF I-Corps, participants will focus on customer discovery and market validation before transitioning into P21 CapitalEdge sessions to support venture growth and readiness. 

The program concludes with a Pitch Competition, where participating ventures will have the opportunity to compete for five $1,000 awards.  

Our 9-week CapitalEdge Accelerator was successfully completed. Participants learned from CPAs, venture capitalists, angel investors, city leadership, ecosystem partners, the SBA, and CDFIs, and leveraged tools focused on financial literacy, access to capital, and pitch readiness. The program supported dual-use technology, government-tech companies, aerospace and defense, manufacturing ventures, and entrepreneurs focused on achieving growth and funding success.

One selected startup received $10,000 in pre-seed funding to fuel its journey toward investment and impact.