UTSA Procurement Academy helps local businesses secure $6 million in government contracts

Nick De La Rosa (second from left) stands with Angela Burton, district director the U.S. Small Business Administration (second from right) and academy participants.

MAY 13, 2025 — Since its first cohort graduated in late 2023, the UTSA Procurement Academy has catalyzed the success of small businesses in the San Antonio region by empowering business owners and entrepreneurs to secure government contracts, attracting significant revenue to the local economy.

A total of 120 participants representing 83 companies have completed the academy, gaining the knowledge and technical skills they need to compete for coveted government contracts. As a result, these graduates have secured over $6 million in government contracts and an additional $700,000 in capital. They have also created and retained 151 jobs as a result of this funding.

“It’s incredible to see this nascent program making such a tremendous impact on our local economy,” said Rod McSherry, UTSA associate vice president for innovation and economic development. He added that public procurement of goods and services in Bexar County is estimated to be over $9 billion annually. “Much of those contracts have traditionally been awarded to contractors outside of the county. This program builds vital capacity and capabilities in local contractors to win more of the local business and keep our tax dollars at home fueling the local economy.”

“The UTSA Procurement Academy provides students with practical training, expert insight and resources to navigate and succeed in this environment.”

The program was developed with support from U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, who secured nearly $600,000 in funding for the initiative and attended its launch in 2023 to provide customized training to help San Antonio small business owners navigate the complex public contracting process. The program is managed by the Jude Valdez Institute for Economic Development (IED) at UTSA, and participants receive training from IED experts in the SBDC Center for Government Contracting and the APEX Accelerator.

Susannah Munro, director of the APEX Accelerator, has served as a curriculum developer and instructor for the academy.

“Government contracting is challenging due to strict regulations, complex processes and strong competition,” said Munro. “The UTSA Procurement Academy provides students with practical training, expert insight and resources to navigate and succeed in this environment.”

The 10-week program includes guidance for securing both state and federal contracts as well as finance skill-building. Students study online modules on the platform Govology, complete weekly homework assignments and join weekly virtual meetings, where they can learn from each other’s experiences.

“You build comradery with each other, so you can ask your peers questions about problems that you haven’t solved yet. We would have 30-40 people on a call, someone would ask a question, and you’d get 30 responses," Munro added.

Since its inception, the Procurement Academy has been in high demand, with three cohorts of entrepreneurs graduating between September 2023 and June 2024.

Jessie Figueroa is the founder and CEO of Core Innovations, a technology consulting firm that designs and implements custom solutions for growing businesses. He graduated from the academy in December 2023 and proceeded to secure a subcontract with Texas A&M IT in March 2024.

“Government procurement is a highly complicated process with so many components that are unclear for a new business,” said Figueroa. “This academy is a navigator on a business map that has provided clarity and direction on what to do and where to go next. It is like the 'Siri' for business directions.”

Core Innovations is currently in the process of securing another subcontract under the Texas Department of Information Resources.

Nick De La Rosa joined the academy with his wife and co-founder, Ava Villegas-De La Rosa, in January 2024 to expand their skillset and attract new contracting and subcontracting projects. Their company, Viva Hardscapes, operates out of Helotes, Texas and offers stone masonry and environmentally friendly power washing services in the region.

He credits the program with enabling him “to navigate and identify the state and local agencies’ contracting opportunities and documentation requirements.”

Viva Hardscapes performs the demolition and installation of a new driveway on FM 1560 with TxDOT permitting and inspection approval.

De La Rosa also sees value in the ongoing support that the Valdez IED provides to graduates.

"We have received business advising and follow-up from Nestor Astorga and also were reintroduced to Crystal Darby, senior business advisor. They have provided additional resources and networking opportunities to stay connected with other academy graduates, business owners and small business resources,” De La Rosa said.

The new skills combined with ongoing support have helped spur the company’s growth.

“We have increased our number of commercial property maintenance accounts while being a subcontractor for many large general contractors in the San Antonio area for new construction projects,” De La Rosa added.

Munro and her team will continue to support existing graduates and are working to secure additional funding to offer the academy to further cohorts of local small businesses later this year.

— Audrey Gray