Since 2019, the Bridge business accelerator program has had 8 cohorts of small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for a total of 90 different SMEs altogether.
As a business accelerator program, the Bridge Accelerator, in alliance with Microsoft and Pioneers 21, has achieved great success. This work has resulted in over 120 linked buyers, over $85 Million USD in sales facilitated, the creation of over 750 new jobs, $8 Million USD in venture capital opportunities and over 30 joint ventures.
All of this is thanks in large part to the Bridge Accelerator’s partnerships, and its ability to create trust amongst the regional economic players which has helped create new business capacities and opportunities for participants.
In this article, we’ll look at the Bridge Accelerator from its 4th to 8th cohorts, with special focus on both of these, to paint a picture of the expanding reach and impact of the Bridge Accelerator over the years, and its forecast moving forward.
The 4th Cohort of The Bridge Accelerator
The Bridge Accelerator’s 4th Cohort in 2020 featured 10 SMEs from El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. These companies came from a variety of industries including software and tech, consulting services, and manufacturing.
The winner from the 4th Cohort was Ciudad Juarez’s EP&O. EP&O is an industrial supply digital network that allows producers to automatically and efficiently tender to their suppliers. They help manufacturing companies “maquiladoras” find optimal suppliers and track orders all the way to delivery.
Other participants included Ayala Digital, Ciita, Fab Lab Juarez, Cimth, Border Proto, Textilmedic, Sermmetal, Fab Lab El Paso and Top Labels.
The 4th Cohort presented an interesting journey as we had to immediately adapt to the changing world presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic. We were able to pivot to online learning and sharing platforms, and our participants rose to the challenges this presented. (For more information on our lessons learned with the pandemic cohorts, check out this blog.)
The 8th Cohort of The Bridge Accelerator
The 8th Cohort in 2023 featured another 11 stellar SMEs including Acces Group (Chihuahua), Grupo AG (Chihuahua), Coplasco (El Paso-Juarez), Glezco Express (Juarez), IM Technology (El Paso-Juarez), International Production Services (IPS) (Chihuahua-USA), Imprenta Cami (Chihuahua), Nai Mexico (Juarez-Chihuahua), Recilogic (Chihuahua), Reciclados Paso Del Norte (Juarez) and SME (Juarez).
The winner of the 8th Cohort was none other than Grupo AG or AG Tools from Chihuahua, MX. Providing tools for a variety of industries, including construction, mining, industrial, and energy. The tools they produce include steel cables, lifting and materials handling, torque and heavy-duty industrial tools.
By the 8th Cohort The Bridge’s business accelerator program was already linking SMEs with over 120 buyers and industry connections in the areas of automation, software and tech, manufacturing, logistics, services, PPE, marketing, consulting, legal and printing.
The Bridge Accelerator Moving Forward: Expanding Reach and Impact
The major achievement of The Bridge Accelerator is in bringing together buyers, SMEs and the local community to collaborate in mutual benefits.
The buyers gain access to closer product distribution, efficiency and productivity, a strengthened supply chain and access to regional vendors. The SMEs gain industry connections, access to capital, new business opportunities and exposure. Last but not least, our local community is fostered with new jobs, strengthened local industry collaborations, FDI awareness, industry vertical trend preparedness and local economic growth and development.
Moving forward, The Bridge and its partners only hope to further grow and develop its reach and its networks, connecting more SMEs and buyers to better work for our communities and the development of our local, regional and global economy.
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Bridge Accelerator either as an investor or an SME participant, don’t hesitate to reach out today!
