Lead gifts allow Tulane Innovation Institute to move forward
Thanks to several generous lead gifts from forward-thinking philanthropists, the Tulane Innovation Institute has announced plans to launch operations from its downtown headquarters later this year.
The institute’s top mission will be to act as a combined technology and start-up accelerator for university faculty, researchers, staff, and students as well as community members. As the institute’s primary engine, the Robert L. Priddy Innovation Lab will drive the commercialization efforts by providing proof-of-concept and early stage start-up gap funding for aspiring entrepreneurs and promising technologies. The lab also will provide a mentorship network featuring entrepreneurs-in-residence; de-risking expertise; and administrative, budgetary, marketing and branding support.
In partnership with the university’s existing academic units across disciplines, the Institute’s second major focus will be on producing educational and experiential programming to energize and cultivate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and culture on campus that helps foster start-up enterprises and technologies with commercial potential.
The third priority, in concert with likeminded organizations across the city and region, will be to engage with and vitalize the innovation and start-up communities in New Orleans, the state and the region. The institute will serve as a gathering place and strategic partner that offers support services and programming for their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Click here to learn more about the new Institute.
