A Story of Innovation: Aurum Tech*

At STTE Foundation, we believe in the power of local founders to spark global change. One of the clearest examples of this impact is Aurum Tech, a Hispanic-owned startup based in El Paso that is pioneering new biotechnology solutions to restore degraded soils and unlock applications for space agriculture.

When Aurum’s founders, Dr. Joshua Ortiz and Gabriel Garcia, had the vision but needed support navigating the highly competitive world of federal funding, STTE stepped in. Our team provided hands-on technical assistance—helping them shape, refine, and submit a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The result? A $100,000 award to fuel their research and put them on the map as one of the region’s most promising startups.

But the journey didn’t stop there. With STTE’s mentorship and connections, Aurum Tech has since:

• Secured support from Microsoft, including Azure credits for data processing and a preliminary commitment toward critical lab equipment.

• Partnered with NMSU’s College of Engineering Capstone program, where students are building a biochar oven prototype for Aurum’s research.

• Explored funding partnerships with Workforce Borderplex to bring interns and lab technicians into their growing operations.

Aurum Tech’s story reflects exactly what STTE was built to do: equip founders with the strategy, technical guidance, and connections to transform ideas into scalable businesses. Their success not only creates high-paying jobs here in the Borderplex, but also demonstrates how our region can compete on a national stage of innovation.

At STTE, we are proud to walk alongside Aurum Tech—and with your support, we can ensure more founders have the same opportunity to thrive.