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Commissioners approve $200,000 to TechFuel startup competition and Tech Day programming
Summary
The court approved $200,000 from the Bexar County Innovation Fund to support TechFuel's 2026 pitch competition and a new Tech Day of programming aimed at connecting founders with investors, with organizers saying past finalists raised $12.3M in follow-on capital.
Bexar County Commissioners Court approved a $200,000 allocation to TechFuel, the county-supported pitch competition managed by TechBlock, saying the program helps local startups raise follow-on capital, create jobs and remain in the region. Beto, TechBlock's CEO, told commissioners TechFuel alumni have attracted more than $12.3 million in follow-on private funding since 2019.
"For every dollar the county has historically invested in private funding, the program has helped catalyze more than $20 in private capital," Beto told the court, highlighting examples of companies that scaled and hired locally. TechFuel's grand prize is $50,000, and the event will select five finalists who will pitch April 20 at UTSA; a full Tech Day is scheduled for April 21. Commissioners expressed support for the program and asked staff to coordinate outreach to ensure equitable geographic and demographic access across the county.
The funding covers awards, workshops, programming and event infrastructure. Commissioners noted sustainability concerns raised about AI and data centers and asked organizers to incorporate environmental and workforce equity strategies into TechFuel programming. The motion to approve the $200,000 allocation passed with support from the court.
