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    Rethinking Road trips

    Texas startup drives business travel to the next level with rentable Teslas

    Sarah Hobson, InnovationMap
    Feb 12, 2019 | 11:40 am
    ElecTrip
    ElecTrip uses eco-friendly Teslas to shuttle business people to and fro across the state.
    Photo courtesy of ElecTrip

    A Texas startup shuffling business women and men across the state in style has created an elevated road trip experience for its customers.

    Founded in 2018 and based in Austin, ElecTrip aims to add luxury and convenience to regional commutes between major Texas cities by providing transportation in Telsas equipped with WiFi, complimentary snacks, and professional drivers.

    Mandeep Patel, a University of Texas at Austin student, had the idea for the company just about a year ago while completing an internship. Patel had the company up and running just a few months later.

    Patel serves as founder and CEO, along with his classmate and co-founder, Eliott Lee, who is COO. Lee says he and Patel had gotten tired of the stress of airport travel, the restrictive schedule of buses, and the soul-draining fatigue of driving. ElecTrip's no-compromise solution is cost effective, comfortable, and carbon neutral.

    "One thing we really pride ourselves on is being sustainable, energy-efficient, and having no emissions," Lee says.

    ElecTrip offers door-to-door service for its customers, who can customize pickup and drop-off locations in any major Texas city. The company has eight routes between Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, but customers can book a custom route within a 300-mile radius of those cities. Prices range from $249.99 to $429.99, though customers can opt to share rides to cut down on cost, with cars seating three to five riders.

    "We emphasize on B2B, geared more towards businesses," says Lee, explaining that customers can customize their trip with food and beverage requests.

    The company offers three different Tesla models: Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, and Tesla Model 3, each offering a specific number of passenger seats, luggage capacity, and mileage range.

    "The main reason why we chose Tesla is because of the supercharger network," says Lee in referring to Tesla's 1,422 Supercharger Stations throughout the United States.

    Clients don't have to worry about the charging process, Lee says. The company plans the trips around these charging stations, which are free to any Tesla user.

    ElecTrip is less than a year old and has already coordinated hundreds of rides, according to the website. While starting the company while still juggling classes — Lee expects to graduate from UT in 2020, while Patel is graduating this year — Lee says being a student-run startup has its perks.

    ---

    Continue reading this story at CultureMap's sister site, InnovationMap.

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    supporting education

    RodeoHouston grants $500,000 in vocational scholarships to Texas students

    Jef Rouner
    May 20, 2026 | 11:30 am
    UNT nursing nurses
    www.unthsc.edu
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    The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo greatly expanded its legacy of educational support by adding $500,000 worth of vocational trade scholarships, the organization announced. Its Vocational Scholarships program has now awarded $2.8 million in scholarships since 2015.

    “Vocational education plays a critical role in building a strong and sustainable workforce, which is why the Rodeo remains deeply committed to expanding its investment in these programs,” said chairman of the board Pat Mann Phillips, who spearheaded the increase. “We are proud to support these career ready scholars as they pursue opportunities that contribute to industries vital to our communities and the agriculture industry.”

    The awards will go to fund 21 different associate degrees or occupational certificate programs in disciplines such as nursing, process technology, and HVAC. One hundred students will receive financial aid for the 2026-2027 school year, with 65 percent of those awards being full-ride scholarships covering tuition, books, and supplies. Students are required to attend Texas-based schools, including Brazosport College, Del Mar College, Houston City College, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lee College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, Texas State Technical College, Victoria College, and Wharton County Junior College.

    More information on application and distribution can be found here.

    Though large, the vocational scholarship program is still just a fraction of the overall educational giving supported by the Rodeo. The total amount awarded for this year alone is $30 million, with $660 million awarded since 1932. Thousands of Texas students have received tuition and other financial support as the Rodeo tries to ensure future employment in rodeo-related fields.

    The expansion of the vocational program has been a major goal for Phillips, who became chairman in 2023. It was under her that the program swiftly rose above the $2 million mark, thanks in part to her securing matching funds and support from donors and colleges. She also pioneered a career fair with Workforce Solutions focused on the vocational trades.

    “We are seeing continued growth in the demand for skilled professionals across a range of industries,” said Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman. “Investing in vocational education allows us to support students and veterans entering these essential fields while strengthening the workforce for the future.”

    houston livestock show and rodeoeducation
    news/innovation
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