ALBUQUERQUE, NM — July 14, 2025 — Rio Grande Tech Hub announced today it has closed a $4 million seed funding round led by Southwest Venture Partners, with participation from Sandia Innovation Fund and several angel investors across the region. The capital will accelerate the company's mission to build a self-sustaining technology corridor along the Rio Grande corridor from Albuquerque to El Paso. The funding will be deployed across three core initiatives: expanding co-working and incubator facilities, launching a developer apprenticeship program targeting underserved communities, and recruiting established technology companies to establish regional offices in Albuquerque's growing Innovation District. "New Mexico has world-class research institutions and an extraordinary talent pipeline, but we've historically struggled to retain that talent," said CEO Maria Castellanos. "This investment allows us to finally build the infrastructure that keeps our engineers, founders, and innovators here at home." Rio Grande Tech Hub currently supports more than 60 early-stage startups and has helped member companies collectively raise over $12 million in outside capital since 2021. The organization expects to double its membership roster and create approximately 150 direct jobs within 18 months of the funding close. The announcement follows a broader trend of investor interest in secondary technology markets as founders and funders seek alternatives to Silicon Valley's high operating costs. --- **About Rio Grande Tech Hub:** Rio Grande Tech Hub is an Albuquerque-based technology accelerator and co-working community dedicated to building a thriving innovation economy across the American Southwest. Founded in 2019, the organization connects startups, enterprises, and talent with the resources needed to grow. ---