This weekend, an event in Nogales, Sonora, will seek to help young would-be border entrepreneurs with their business ideas.

From Friday through Sunday, border residents from both sides of the line will gather in Nogales, Sonora, for a so-called Startup Weekend event. 

“In a span of three days, individuals get an opportunity to be able to get an idea that is burning in their brain, out of their mind and into reality,” said Stephanie Bermúdez, founder of event organizer Startup Unidos.

The group has held a number of such events, but this will be the first in-person version since the start of the pandemic. It also comes at an interesting time for border businesses, many of which were hit hard by prolonged border crossing restrictions intended to slow the virus’ spread that were lifted in November.

Bermúdez says events like this weekend’s can serve as “breeding grounds” for new ideas of how to find success in border communities.