Accelerate South Texas (AST) is a component fund of  the San Antonio Area Foundation that is dedicated to funding organizations who support entrepreneurs through programming such as –  spurring startup, nonprofit, and small business creation and growth, fostering innovation, and stimulating job creation across all industries in the South Texas region. AST supports entrepreneurial programs that focus exclusively on fortifying entrepreneurship and small business growth within the region, infusing them with the critical resources necessary for their sustained expansion to accelerate the knowledge of our entrepreneurial/small business community.

AST’s purpose is to fund organizations which provide entrepreneurial programs that focus on the pillars below:

Focus Areas: 

• Education – Develop and implement entrepreneurial programs that provide educational opportunities and resources to entrepreneurs, workforce talent, startup founders, nonprofit, and small business owners. This could include workshops, seminars, webinars, and mentorship programs that provide knowledge and skills on various aspects of business such as finance, marketing, and operations.
• Growth – Support the expansion and scalability of entrepreneurial programs focused on small businesses, nonprofits, and startups in the region. This could be achieved through financial grants, business development services, or resources that aid in strategic planning and execution.
• Creation – Encourage and assist in the creation of new businesses in the South Texas region. This could include funding entrepreneurial programs that support company formations, entrepreneurial initiatives, startup incubators and accelerators.
• Innovation – Foster a culture of innovation by supporting entrepreneurial programs that help entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits that are developing new products, technologies, services, or business models. This could also include setting up competitions or awards to encourage and recognize innovative ideas and practices in the region. To include innovations promoting health equity.
• Job Creation – Stimulate job growth by investing in entrepreneurial programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, workforce talent, and businesses that have the potential to generate substantial employment opportunities in the South Texas region across all industries.
• Community Engagement – Investing in the gathering and growth of entrepreneurial programs that supports entrepreneurial, startup, nonprofit, small business, or workforce talent expansion in the region. This could include events, conferences, and meetings that further the impact that these initiatives serve.

AST will track the economic impact of its activities to assess effectiveness and make data-informed decisions for future investments and initiatives.

Disclaimer:

***Although driven by Accelerate South Texas, the reach of these organizations may not be confined to Bexar County or the San Antonio metropolitan area, and may extend across the broader South Texas region, encouraging inclusive and widespread economic development.