Austin-based accelerator awards cash prizes to some of the world’s most promising startups following intense, four-month program
(AUSTIN, Texas – Aug. 16, 2018; source: Juice Consulting) – MassChallenge, a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, awarded $500,000 last night to eight of the highest-impact startups from the MassChallenge Texas accelerator program. Announced at the MassChallenge Texas Awards Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Austin, this news caps off the first-ever MassChallenge Texas program, which accelerated 84 of the world’s highest potential, early-stage startups.
“At last night’s MassChallenge Texas Awards Ceremony, we proved that small businesses can have a big impact,” said Managing Director of MassChallenge Texas Mike Millard. “We are proud to announce this year’s winners and to celebrate the incredible community that has played a vital role in supporting these startups over the last four months. We look forward to further strengthening the Texas innovation ecosystem with our next cohort in 2019.”
The first-annual MassChallenge Texas Awards Ceremony brought together nearly 500 innovation leaders, businesses, policymakers and enthusiasts from all corners of Texas to celebrate the Lone Star State’s startup community. The event kicked off with a showcase of the 84 startups participating in the accelerator followed by inspiring talks from speakers Cristal Glangchai (VentureLab/VentureGirls), Julia Cheek (Everlywell), and Bryan Daniel from the Office of the Governor, State of Texas.
This year’s MassChallenge Texas prize winners include:
$100,000 Diamond Winners
$10,000 USAA Ventrepreneur Award
People’s Choice Award (presented by AngelSpan, A-Player Media, Founding Austin, and Juice Consulting)
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About the 2018 MassChallenge Texas Accelerator:
In April 2018, 84 of the world’s highest impact, highest potential early-stage startups joined MassChallenge Texas’ inaugural cohort in Austin. See cohort statistics here.
- Five continents
- 11 countries
- 12 states
- Five major Texas cities/regions: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio
- 32 percent female founders
- Five major industries
- High tech (33 startups, 40 percent)
- Healthcare and Life Sciences (24 startups, 28 percent)
- General Consumer (12 startups, 14 percent)
- Social Impact (nine startups, 11 percent)
- Energy and Clean Tech (six startups, seven percent)
Over the past four months, startups participated in a tailored program designed to support their unique needs: from market research to launching pilot programs, intellectual property and licensing, to fundraising and investor relations, sales and marketing strategy, to working with corporate partners and more.
The 84 companies have worked out of the new WeWork West 6th space home and have access to a complimentary, Texas-wide WeWork community membership for six months.
Southwest Airlines, TMAC, WeWork, Upstream, USAA
City of Austin Mayor Steve Adler, City of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Austin Representative Eddie Rodriguez; founding corporate partners Southwest Airlines, TMAC, WeWork, USAA, and Upstream; AngelSpan, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Community College, Austin Community College Bioscience Incubator, Austin Film Society, Austin Healthcare Council, Austin Technology Council, Austin Technology Incubator, Blackstone LaunchPad at UT Austin, Blackstone LaunchPad at UT Dallas, Bexar County, Borderplex Alliance, Capital Factory, City of Austin, City of San Antonio, CompTIA, Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC), Department of Defense (DoD), DIUx, El Paso Hub of Human Innovation, Food + City, Founder’s Institute Austin, Galvanize, Geekdom, Goodworks Houston, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership, Greater San Marcos Partnership, Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship at UT Austin, IC2 Institute, Impact Hub Austin, Juice Consulting, MediaTech Ventures, NASA, National Instruments, Splash Coworking, South by Southwest (SXSW), Southwestern University, Sputnik ATX, STAR Park at Texas State University, Station Houston, Strasburger & Price, LLP, Tech Fort Worth, TechNet, Texas A&M University, Texas Entrepreneur Exchange (TEX), Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities (TFIC), Texas Healthcare and Biosciences Institute (THBI), Texas Small Business Development Centers, Texas State University, University of Texas System, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas and University of Texas at San Antonio.
About MassChallenge:
MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 1,500 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $3 billion in funding, generated more than $2 billion in revenue, and created more than 80,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at www.masschallenge.org.
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