TECH Fort Worth

TECH Fort Worth is a non-profit with programs that have entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs commercialize innovative technologies. Metrics 2013-15: $2.7B Exits, $391M funding, $52M sales, 1 IPO.

About

At TECH Fort Worth we envision a global family of entrepreneurs who through their successes make the world a better place. Our non-profit supports this vision through programs that have entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs commercialize innovative technologies without taking equity in the startups.

TechFW clients successes in the 2013-2015: – Acquisitons greater > $2.7 billion – 1 IPO – Raised > $391 million – Sales > $52 million

Our programs are designed to help founders: – validate ideas – develop a business model – communicate value proposition – define a path to market – execute a focused launch – accelerate startup growth – access and engage capital

These programs include:

BreakThrough  – The BreakThrough Program is designed to help university research faculty that have developed a new technology learn skills that will facilitate the translation of their ideas from the lab to the market. The goal of the program is to assist university faculty in identifying and communicating the value of their intellectual property in business terms. By the end of the program a participant will have created a short presentation identifying the pain statement, where the technology “fits” in the market space, potential applications for the technology, potential licensees, and key benefits and differentiators of the technology. In addition, this program may create an environment which can give rise to unique collaborations and commercial opportunities across universities and with industry.

ThinkLab – The ThinkLab program is designed to help the founder or entrepreneur determine whether there is sufficient value to pursue a product or service idea, identify potential markets, develop a path to market strategy, and learn how to communicate the value of the idea to early stakeholders and adopters. This program is about an idea, not a company, helping the client develop the insights necessary to determine whether to proceed, pivot, shelve, or abandon the idea. If the decision is to proceed, the strategies developed in the workshops will serve as the roadmap for the company or the licensing strategy. ThinkLab is iterative and FastForward program clients are allowed to participate with new product/service ideas in the program.

Smart Start – The SmartStart program assists the founder(s) in launching a new company. It focuses on helping the entrepreneur formalize the business framework necessary for the company to execute its path to market strategies, while at the same time the company must work to develop a minimal viable product. TechFW coaches work with founders through bi-weekly meetings to help facilitate the process of engaging early adopters, prototype, and test market the product/service idea. To this end the founder is connected with TechFW partners who assist them in executing in these early but crucial steps towards success.

FastForward  – As a startup company begins to deliver goods and services it faces a different set of challenge from what it faced pre-launch. The FastForward program helps the founder down that path to success by providing the executive with the coaching and advising necessary to grow the company. New executives often need help in seeking growth funding, hiring, increasing sales, implementing processes, and so many more challenges. FastForward coaches are entrepreneurs who have launched and grown companies and who share their personal experiences and knowledge with the client.

Cowtown Angels Based in Fort Worth, TX, Cowtown Angels is an angel network that connects entrepreneurs seeking early-stage funding with local investors in an environment that accelerates growth and rewards strategic risk-taking. is a member of the Angel Capital Association and the Alliance of Texas Angel Networks. Cowtown Angels is not a fund and does not invest as a group. Members collaborate throughout the investment process, but make individual investment decisions. Since September 2013 Cowtown Angels has – Invested over $13.6 million… – …of a total $58.5 million raised… – …in 18 companies!

Cowtown Angels is developing the Fort Worth startup community through: – Its ability to pool individual capital in order to make large investments – Its engagement with the entrepreneur through mentorship and connections that can accelerate growth – The depth and breadth of member expertise, offering entrepreneurs vast resources and financial clout – The freedom to invest in a wide range of industries For more info contact Jorge@techfortworth

Services Provided

Business Planning

  • Write a business plan
  • Research a business idea
  • Write a marketing plan

Management Issues

  • Leadership/Professional Development

Find Funding

  • Obtaining Debt Funding
  • Obtaining Government Funding
  • Equity Providers
  • Technology Grants
  • Accelerator (Startup) Program

Legal Services

  • Forming a Business
  • Patent, Trademark & Copyright Information

Marketing & Sales

  • Market Plan Development and Training

Site and Business Location

  • Conference/Meeting and Event Space
  • Incubator Space
  • Office Space
  • Wet Lab Incubator
  • Coworking

Permits and Regulations

  • Government Requirements
  • Registration, licenses and permits
  • Patent Information
  • Trademark & Copyright Information

Technical Assistance

  • Commercialization
  • Technology Transfer

Training

  • Business Plan Training and Assistance
  • Budget, Financial Statements and Cash Flow Training
  • Startup or Pre-Launch Training
  • Business Management and Strategy Training

New Product Development

  • Patent Information
  • Prototype Development

Buying or Selling a Business

  • Valuation

Manufacturing, High Tech, Life Sciences Development

  • Manufacturing Development
  • High Tech Development
  • Life Sciences Development
  • Wet Lab Incubator
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Commercialization
  • Industrial Technology Research
  • Technology Transfer

Internship Programs and Student Services

  • Internship Program

Startup / Form a Business

  • Formation & registration
  • Startup business counseling
  • Startup Classes

Mentors

  • Mentoring Programs
  • Peer Training Programs

Coworking, Accelerators and Incubators

  • Coworking Spaces
  • Incubator Space
Contact Information
Hayden Blackburn
Address
1120 South Freeway
Fort Worth, TX 76104