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UTSA Valdez Institute for Economic Development

For 40 years, Texas businesses have started here. 5,000 opened. 58,000 jobs created.

The Institute is ten centers and programs delivering results driven advising, training and research for entrepreneurs, established business owners and community leaders across Texas. Every service is no cost and confidential.

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Read the 2024 Annual Report
40 years Serving Texas business Established at UTSA in 1979
5,000+ Businesses opened With Institute advising
58,000+ Texas jobs created By the clients we advised
10 Centers and programs Local to international

Our economic and community impact

$1.8 Billion in direct economic impact for 2024

That figure is the aggregate of new financing and investments secured by our clients, plus their new sales, contracts and exports. It is reported annually and verified against client records.

  • New financing and capital investment secured by Texas clients
  • New sales, contracts and export revenue those clients went on to win
  • Counted only where an Institute advisor was directly involved
See the full 2024 Annual Report
79 Texas counties served Through the Texas South-West SBDC Network
10 Centers and programs From local advising to international trade
1979 Founded at UT San Antonio Now named for the Valdez family
$0 Cost to the business owner Advising is free and confidential, always

Institute programs and centers

Nine centers, one institute, whatever stage you are at.

Each center runs its own programs and serves its own region or specialty. The Institute connects them, so a business referred from one is already known to the next.

How we help

Three ways Texas businesses work with us.

See every service
An advisor and a business owner going over figures on a laptop together at a table No cost, unlimited

One on one advising

Work with a certified advisor on your business plan, cash flow, financing package or growth strategy. Sessions are confidential and there is no charge, ever.

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Adult learners seated at tables during a business training workshop in a bright seminar room Online and in person

Training and events

Short courses on hiring, pricing, government contracting, cybersecurity and exporting, delivered across the region and streamed statewide.

View the calendar
A woman with a tablet checking palletised stock beside an open loading dock at a Texas manufacturer Built on real data

Research and market data

Industry profiles, demographic studies and economic impact analysis from the SBDC National Information Clearinghouse and our applied research team.

Browse research
Government contracting Get registered, matched to bids and coached through your first proposal. Export and trade Country research, compliance checks and introductions to buyers abroad. Cybersecurity readiness Free risk assessments and virtual CISO time for Texas small businesses. Tech commercialization SBIR and STTR help for research moving out of the lab and into revenue.

Events and training

Training and events across the network

Full calendar

About the Institute

Part of UT San Antonio since 1979.

The Valdez Institute for Economic Development is the public service arm of UT San Antonio for business and community development. What began as a single advising office in 1979 is now ten centers and programs working from local storefronts to international markets.

We are funded in part through the State of Texas and a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which is why advising comes at no cost to the business owner. Our results are published every year in the annual report.

  1. Tell us where you are A short intake form covering the business, the stage and what you need.
  2. Meet your advisor You are matched to the center closest to your need and your region.
  3. Keep going Advising is ongoing, not a single session, and it stays free.