Expanding Frontiers Selected as Winner of DOE EPIC Prize

Expanding Frontiers is honored to share that our organization has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of the inaugural winners of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize.

The EPIC Prize is a $1 million initiative designed to recognize and support incubators that are building strong regional innovation clusters focused on energy technology and entrepreneurship. From more than 20 organizations across the United States, Expanding Frontiers was awarded $50,000 to advance our mission of fostering space and energy startups in South Texas.

This recognition places Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley on the national stage as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It affirms the importance of building a thriving ecosystem where entrepreneurs can access NASA and DOE technologies, receive mentorship, and grow sustainable ventures that benefit both the local economy and the global energy sector.

DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions created the EPIC program to strengthen the pathway from research to commercialization. By supporting incubators such as Expanding Frontiers, the Department is investing in the organizations that guide entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into impactful businesses.

For Expanding Frontiers, the EPIC Prize highlights the progress of our Acceleration Program and reinforces our role as a hub for space and energy startups in South Texas. We remain committed to providing local entrepreneurs with the resources, training, and opportunities they need to bring cutting-edge technologies to market.

This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our community, our partners, and the talented entrepreneurs we serve. Together, we are building a future where South Texas leads in both space commercialization and clean energy innovation.