RGV Hispanic Chamber Member Earns Top Honors

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RGV Hispanic Chamber Member Earns Top Honors

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Noah’s Ark LLCRio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce members Daniel Pizaña and Erika Mazzola, co-founders of Noah’s Ark LLC, earned the Community Choice and First Runner-Up honors at the Startup Texas Pitch Fest on Sept. 9. The integrated pet care platform supports lost pet recovery, wellness guidance, and community connections.

Pizaña presented the company during the live pitch competition at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization. He joined founders from the Emerging Industries program in pitching to a panel of judges and an audience that selected the Community Choice winner.

“Seeing our chamber members take the stage, share their vision and be recognized for their innovation makes us proud,” said Armando Villarreal, RGVHCC director of Membership and Events. “The success of Noah’s Ark LLC reflects the entrepreneurial talent we have in the Valley, and it’s exciting to see them representing our community on such an important platform.”

Startup Texas Pitch Fest, powered by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, featured eight innovative startups that completed the AdvanceUp Accelerator curriculum facilitated by the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center. The event included fast-paced presentations, local food, music, networking and community awards.

Other participants included:

  • Chariot 360 presented by Rigoberto Lozano: An upright, eco-friendly mobility device for accessibility, warehouses and security.
  • DiaBuddy presented by Alan Salinas: An all-in-one app that simplifies diabetes tracking, reporting and care organization.
  • Dot presented by Esteban Zavala: Shuttle tracking without hardware using drivers’ phones as live GPS with rider app integration.
  • Fast Port LLC presented by Steve Perez: An AI receptionist for small businesses handling calls, appointments, payments and follow-up.
  • Shape Cards presented by Sebastian Melendez: Digital business cards with QR and wallet integration for error-free sharing.
  • Space Ocean Corp presented by Paul Mamakos: Water logistics for space exploration, enabling in-space sourcing and refueling.
  • Urban Plants presented by Douglas Best: Vertical growing systems using worm casting fertilizer, inclusive workforce training and low water needs.

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