UTRGV Softlanding Program: A Strategic Ally for Mexican Companies Entering the United States

Amid accelerated economic realignment and a rising wave of industrial relocation, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has reinforced its international softlanding program, an initiative designed to guide foreign companies—particularly Mexican firms—through their transition into the U.S. market.

Linda Ufland, Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Commercialization at UTRGV, explained that the program emerged to address a consistent global need: understanding how to do business in the United States and accessing a regional, statewide, and national business ecosystem.

“Most companies we encounter face significant challenges when validating products, connecting with key stakeholders, and navigating regulatory and cultural differences. Our program helps them truly learn how to integrate into the U.S. market,” she noted.

Comprehensive Support from a University-Backed Perspective

Although UTRGV is an educational institution, its economic development division operates as a bridge between academia and the private sector.

Ufland emphasized that the goal is not revenue generation, but community impact—supporting international companies as they establish operations in the region, strengthening the local economy, and promoting job creation.

“We often meet companies convinced their product will work in the U.S. just as it does in Mexico. Many arrive without the proper information, and the success rate is extremely low. Our program prevents companies from entering ‘blindly’ by providing commercial, legal, accounting, and immigration guidance,” Ufland explained.

Accessible Program for Growing Companies

In 2025, UTRGV supports around 25 incubated companies from Monterrey, Mexico City, Ciudad del Carmen, northern border states, and also from Central and South America.

The most represented sectors include:

• Technology
• Manufacturing
• Agribusiness
• Food and beverage
• Specialized innovation products

Affordable Membership and Dedicated Facilities

UTRGV’s model operates through a monthly membership that provides companies access to:

• Physical office space at the eBridge Center in Brownsville and the Global Business Hub in Pharr
• Strategic business mentoring
• Training programs

Through this softlanding initiative, UTRGV fulfills its commitment to economic development and community wellbeing by helping companies establish operations, grow sustainably, and generate jobs across the region.