The University of Houston announced a groundbreaking new partnership with the Houston Angel Network and Houston Exponential that will create investment and mentorship opportunities for UH alumni who want to be a part of the University’s booming innovation community.
The partnership, which unites a leading academic institution, a strong regional innovation organization and one of the nation’s top angel groups, will not only help activate accredited, early-stage investors and capital, but provide an accelerated pathway for UH alumni and the broader community to learn about and engage with startup businesses as well.
“We are excited to partner with Houston Angel Network and Houston Exponential to continue growing what is already one of the region’s strongest startup communities,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH. “Investors play a vital role in the startup ecosystem and this initiative gives our alumni a rapid path to becoming angels. Our vision is to activate more investors with deep connections to UH who support world-class innovation in our community and beyond.”
UH’s Technology Bridge will serve as the home base for the collaboration, Houston Exponential will provide ecosystem and entrepreneurial support and Houston Angel Network will bring over two decades of investing expertise in hundreds of early-stage companies in the technology, energy, life science, consumer and aerospace sectors. The organizations will work together on programming, education and engagement opportunities for investors and the broader innovation ecosystem.
“This relationship is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Greater Houston’s business and academic communities,” shared Mitra Miller, vice president of the Houston Angel Network. “By leveraging the combined expertise and resources of our three organizations, we can increase the flow of early-stage capital in our region in support of great innovators and high-growth enterprises.”
“An active and educated investor base is an essential component of a thriving startup ecosystem,” said Natara Branch, CEO of Houston Exponential. “We are excited to partner on this cutting-edge initiative that promises to be a roadmap for investment education and support for aspiring investors and entrepreneurs alike.”
Tech Bridge is Houston’s premier community for technology commercialization, industrial partnerships and startup development where research and innovation are thriving. For seven of the past eight years, UH has ranked among the top 100 universities globally for the number of utility patents issued. UH is also home to the nation’s top-ranked undergraduate entrepreneurship program, the Cylvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship.
“Our founders are launching many exciting new companies, but they need better access to capital,” said Tanu Chatterji, associate director of startup development at UH. “This partnership will help us mobilize angel investors who want to support these innovators with knowledge and financial resources.”
UH alumni interested in becoming angel investors should contact Tanu Chatterji at tchatte@uh.edu for more information.