We drive economic growth by attracting and growing local businesses and investing in entrepreneurship.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

We engage business leaders, public officials and the community to foster an environment that will help grow and strengthen our economy.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

We are dedicated to bringing you the resources and connections you need to grow your business today.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

We create productive public and private partnerships while serving as a reliable source for McAllen’s tourism industry to boost the economy.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

Stay up to date on what’s happening in the McAllen business community. The Chamber keeps you informed and puts a spotlight on the events and activities of our partners.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses thrive by creating economic momentum, accelerating connections and enhancing the quality of life in the region.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

Newsroom

Inventing a Reality: The McAllen Innovation Grant Awards

For the past year, Jorge Garcia and Fernando Ramirez of G Innovations have been working on a great project, their invention the EZ Baby bottle washing machine.  G Innovations was awarded an innovation grant of $10,000 for its invention of the baby bottle washing machine last June by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.  The grant provided them additional funding to pursue two major steps in the inventing process: the patent and the prototype. “The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in the progress of our endeavor,” commented Ramirez.  “They provided the much needed funding for us to proceed to the next level.  And the best part of it – this was not a loan; we don’t have to repay these funds.”

 

The first step for G Innovations was to conduct a patent search and apply for a U.S. patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). During the process, the inventors found many aspects of the idea that required refinement and definition. They worked with an intellectual property lawyer on their application and currently are waiting on approval by the USPTO.

 

To work on the prototype, G Innovations partnered with the UTPA Rapid Response Manufacturing Center to develop a finalized prototype for the EZ Baby bottle washing machine. The center will provide the engineering solutions for the invention and the first tangible prototype of their project. “The prototype design has changed many times over since its beginning stages,” said Garcia.

 

 G Innovations’ project is a great example of how the McAllen Innovation Grant award encourages inventors to pursue their ideas. The grant not only provides funding for the selected projects, but also helps with guidance, public awareness and networking opportunities to move their ideas to reality.

 

For more information, please contact Eduardo Millet at the McAllen Chamber at 956-682-2871 or emillet@mcallenchamber.com.

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