1881 Ventures Information

1881 Ventures is a venture development platform building founders from idea to investment across the El Paso–Juárez Borderplex. Formerly the STTE Foundation, our work began with a simple belief: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Since 2018, we have supported early-stage entrepreneurs through hands-on programming, startup acceleration, hackathons, and founder development—helping transform ideas into companies and strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem. As the ecosystem has evolved, so have the needs of the founders we serve. Today, the challenge is not just starting—it’s scaling. And scaling requires access to capital. 1881 Ventures represents our next chapter: a deeper commitment to building a full-stack entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports founders at every stage of growth. Our work focuses on: -Case intensive guidance to guide early decisions -Education to build entrepreneurial capability -Networks that open doors -Capital access through our sister organization, Sun Cruces Angels—the only angel investment group in the Borderplex Rooted in one of North America’s most dynamic and underestimated regions, we are working to unlock opportunity, connect founders to funding, and position the Borderplex as a hub for innovation and venture growth. At 1881 Ventures, we don’t just support startups—we build the conditions for them to succeed.