January 1997 through December 1998
In early 1997, the city of Houston submitted an application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for a Federal grant to remodel a building owned by the city for use as a non-profit business incubator. Robert Litke, head of the City of Houston's Planning & Development Department, had developed the idea of a technology incubator in Mid-Town Houston. IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. George Kozmetsky, and his management staff assisted the city in the early discussions as the Houston leadership team was being formed to launch the initiative. Early support also came from the Greater Houston Partnership and the Johnson Space Center of NASA.
Public meetings were held in the fall of 1997 to announce the grant's award made possible by the support of U.S. Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee. The first few meetings led to agreement that the entity should be an autonomous organization and should focus on emerging companies in four technology sectors:
- energy
- information technology
- life sciences
- NASA-originated technology
Dr. Martin Lindenberg was asked to chair the effort, which he did for almost a year and a half, with the help of a handful of key volunteers and early board members. Initial committees were formed to organize the board, plan the facilities, raise the money, create the business plan, etc.
The early and founding champions included some very committed volunteers who dedicated considerable time and energy in developing the plan and marshaling the resources needed to help transition HTC from an idea to an actual entity:
Lew Arend
Laura Cole
Bill Eide
Steve Latham
Dr. Martin Lindenberg
Robert Litke
Mike Mulcahy
Pam Murphy
Brett Perlman
Paul Strohl
Kenneth M. Williams
Frank Wozencraft
Many people met frequently for almost one and a half years to breathe life into the HTC. The HTC's appreciation is gratefully expressed to the scores of volunteers whose donation of time, energy and experience made the formation and successful commencement of HTC operations possible on January 4, 1999 with Paul Frison as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Special acknowledgement also needs to be made to the following persons whose involvement helped at crucial junctures:
George Abbey
Rod Canion
Robert Dussler
Dr. Malcolm Gillis
Dr. John Mendelsohn
Energy
As the largest technology business accelerator in Texas, HTC advances the commercialization of emerging technology companies in the Houston area. HTC’s Energy Incubation and Acceleration Programs take technology start-ups from early stage to maturity. Each day, the staff and partners of the Houston Technology Center work closely with entrepreneurs and startup companies addressing their unique needs and goals by providing them with in-depth strategic and tactical business guidance, fundraising advice, and connecting them to opportunities, allies, and capital.
Energy clients represent but not limited to upstream, downstream, petrochemical, conventional, and renewable energy.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you to help your company become successful and meet its commercialization goals. For additional information on becoming an Acceleration Client please attend an upcoming orientation session. These sessions are required for all Acceleration Clients.
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