By: Ashlynn Rutherford
Top Startups from Across Texas Showcased at 11th Annual New Ventures Competition
The Texas A&M New Ventures Competition (TNVC) hosted 20 rising start-up companies from across Texas to compete for a prize pool of up to $1.9 million. After a rigorous multi-round competition judged by panels of investors and subject matter experts, Bryan-College Station based company Humanate Digital emerged as the grand prize winner.
The two-day competition unfolded in several stages, providing competitors with opportunities to share their technology with potential investors. Six companies ultimately competed as finalists and took part in presentations, elevator pitches, and networking receptions. Led by Co-founder and CEO Carlos Rodriguez, Humanate Digital advanced through virtual screening of nearly a hundred companies and through two highly competitive in-person rounds before taking a finalist position. Founded in March 2013, Humanate Digital is a digital health company spun out of Texas A&M University. Rodriguez attributed Humanate Digital’s success in the competition to the team’s clear communication of its mission: “Our core value proposition and how we are aiming to transform the healthcare community were already well-defined and regularly communicated,” Rodriguez said. “The visibility gained through the competition itself has also been a significant boost for Humanate Digital. Receiving validation from the Texas A&M University System and exposure to venture capital groups in the room is invaluable.”
TNVC awarded up to $1.9 million in prizes to standout Texas start-ups, with several companies earning significant awards. Among them was Cosnetix, a wellness company revolutionizing the $18 billion personalized skincare market through DNA-backed product analysis. Cosnetix won the first place Elevator Pitch Award along with two service-based prizes, totaling $25,000. Led by CEO and Co-founder Diana Salha, a Texas A&M University public health graduate, Cosnetix is pioneering the integration of microbiome analysis to create the first dual-biomarker skincare system. This innovation not only perfects skincare recommendations but enables early, non-invasive skin cancer detection- positioning the company at the intersection of beauty tech and preventative healthcare. For Cosnetix, the competition served as a gateway to new perspectives and connections that are actively influencing the company’s future direction. “TNVC connected us with people who wouldn’t typically have discovered Cosnetix. We had productive conversations with professionals across various industries that challenged our thinking about growth strategies,” Salha said. “The exposure has opened meaningful conversations that are shaping our next steps.”
Beyond the monetary awards, TNVC offers invaluable experience and connections to potential partners and investors through a four-month vetting, coaching, and evaluation process. All applicants receive feedback on both the technical and business aspects of their ventures.
“I would strongly advise future applicants to take full advantage of the resources and feedback provided throughout the competition,” said Rodriguez. “The coaching sessions are invaluable for refining your pitch and presentation materials. Be open to constructive criticism and be prepared to iterate on your delivery.”
Over the past 11 years, TNVC has awarded over $5 million in prize money, with many alumni companies still thriving or having achieved successful exits- demonstrating the event’s lasting impact on the Texas startup ecosystem. “TNVC exists to accelerate high-potential startups in Texas by providing the resources, exposure, and credibility they need to move from concept to market. At its heart, it’s about unlocking innovation and fueling economic growth across the state,” said Chris Scotti, TNVC Chair. “Our goal is to continue expanding TNVC’s reach and impact—bringing in more corporate partners, increasing the size and diversity of the prize pool, continuing to increase regional and industry diversity, and creating year-round engagement opportunities for startups beyond the competition.”
A unique aspect of TNVC is that all sponsored prize winners are chosen by the sponsoring organizations themselves. This results in tailored matches that deliver maximum value and strategic alignment for each recipient. Every year a competitor is selected to be the Winner’s Circle Legacy Prize recipient, which is a cash prize given by past TNVC winners to their favorite competitor to “pay it forward.” This year’s winner was Club Girl Golf, a pioneering golf equipment brand dedicated to empowering women by designing high-performance clubs tailored specifically for female golfers. Club Girl Golf was represented by Founder and CEO Katie Calderon, a manufacturing and mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. Calderon highlighted the competition’s role in expanding her start-up network and accelerating its growth of opportunities. “Beyond the tangible prizes, the connections we made through TNVC have been just as impactful. We’re already leveraging those relationships to find investors, plug into our local startup ecosystem, and continue building a brand and business that can scale. TNVC has truly helped us take the next big step,” Calderon said.
All winners were announced at the end of the two-day event. Day one included an entrepreneurial panel featuring past winners who have continued to hit major milestones, along with a networking reception. Day two consisted of final presentations, elevator pitches, and an award ceremony. In total, 47 awards and prizes were distributed, further cementing TNVC’s role as a catalyst for innovation in Texas.
About Texas A&M New Ventures Competition
TNVC fuels small businesses’ growth and accelerates the launch of groundbreaking technologies. Since its 2015 inception, over $5 million in prizes have been awarded, establishing itself as a beacon for Texas-based early-stage innovators. The 2025 event drew an audience of over 350 including venture capitalists, angel investors, and entrepreneurs, all committed to discovering and advancing the next generation of tech pioneers. Previous TNVC winners have garnered over $706 million in investments, affirming TNVC’s role in elevating top Texan startups to national prominence with expectation of growth now under Texas A&M Innovation’s guidance.
About Texas A&M Innovation
Texas A&M Innovation at College Station works with a diverse array of partners – including entrepreneurs, investors, technology incubators, and large enterprises – to improve lives by commercializing innovations from The Texas A&M University System. Texas A&M research generates close to 300 new technologies each year, providing abundant and varied opportunities for industry collaboration. Learn more about the Texas A&M Innovation technology portfolio.
