A Texas Tech University Innovation Hub program is giving a big boost to local startups. Seven developing business ventures have just been selected to participate in TTU Accelerator while five others are graduating from the one-year program.
The Innovation Hub will host graduation presentations for the 2018-19 TTU Accelerator companies and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the program’s 2019-20 companies on Wednesday. Graduation presentations will be from 3-4 p.m. The graduating cohort of startup founders will share lessons they learned through TTU Accelerator and offer advice for the companies beginning the program.
At 4 p.m., Mayor Dan Pope and Texas Tech leaders will participate in the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the program’s new cohort of companies. Entrepreneurs involved with those startups also will present their business pitches and innovations.
The TTU Accelerator is designed to help faculty, students and other entrepreneurs in the region launch startup companies or discover licensing opportunities based on inventions and university technology.
Participation in the TTU Accelerator is based on a competitive application process. Each team of entrepreneurs receives a $25,000 seed grant. Startups will learn the Lean Launch program, have access to a team of iTTU mentors and one year of collaborative workspace in the Texas Tech Innovation Hub’s Base Camp. The program is made possible with the support of the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.
The public is welcome to attend the event to hear about the companies and see their inventions. Tours of the Innovation Hub also will be available, and refreshments will be provided.
