MassChallenge, a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, opened applications for its first Houston-based bootcamp for high-impact, early stage startups across all industries yesterday. The deadline to apply is May 8, 2019 at 12 p.m. CST. Interested startups can apply here.
Applications were opened at a public launch event on April 10, 2019 at the Four Seasons Houston. MassChallenge Texas Director of Partnerships Yvette Casares Willis led the event through a short presentation that outlined the inaugural program.
“MassChallenge Texas has come to Houston with a two-fold goal,” said Yvette Casares Willis, Director of Partnerships for MassChallenge Texas. “First, to help Houston startups remove barriers and provide them access to needed resources through MassChallenge’s global ecosystem. And second, to shine a light on Houston for its work as an innovation ecosystem while attracting more startups from the world here.”
MassChallenge Texas in Houston will support up to 25 startups during the six-week bootcamp, which will run from July through August 2019. During the program, participating startups will receive six months of free office space at Green Street in downtown Houston, access to industry experts, mentors, top corporations and more, all at zero cost and for zero equity. To further support promising early-stage startups, MassChallenge Texas in Houston will offer two week-long curriculum intensives at the beginning and end of the bootcamp, respectively. The week-long sessions will provide tailored instruction on topics like fundraising, entity selection, and designing corporate partnerships. At the culmination of the program, top startups will present at a demo day and closing celebration.
In addition to the tangible benefits of the MassChallenge Texas program, Ms. Willis focused on the value of the MassChallenge expert community and the foundation they provide the startups during the program. For individuals interested in learning more about the MassChallenge expert opportunity visit here.
“MassChallenge Texas will be a catalytic spark plug for Houston,” said Robert Lung, Director of Economic Development for Central Houston. “Their work here will help bring together Houston’s legacy industries and our creative community to help drive the region toward the goal of being top 10 startup ecosystem. The future starts now!”
In 2018, MassChallenge Texas ran their first program in Austin and accelerated 84 companies that have raised more than $30 million in funding, generated $20 million in revenue, and created 524 jobs. MassChallenge Texas is supported by a public-private partnership that includes founding corporate partners Southwest Airlines, TMAC, WeWork, USAA and Upstream. New partners include civic and corporate partners Central Houston, the City of Houston, Lionstone, Midway, BAE Systems, BHP, Ingram Micro, 3 Feet from Gold Corporation, the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Texans. Together, MassChallenge Texas and its partners will strengthen and grow the innovation ecosystem across the state and connect the ecosystem to MassChallenge’s global network of programs in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island and Switzerland.
To reach the startups and experts interested in the inaugural MassChallenge Texas in Houston program, the team will launch a city-wide roadshow with in-person visits scheduled for:
April 11, 2019 at 6 p.m.: Houston Community College April 18, 2019 at 12 p.m.: University of Houston April 19, 2019 at 1 p.m.: Webinar April 22, 2019 at 6 p.m.: The Cannon April 23, 2019 at 6 p.m.: TMC Innovation April 24, 2019 at 6 p.m.: Houston Exponential