New Fund Invests in Future of 黑料正能量 Innovators, Entrepreneurs
By Heidi Opdyke
Entrepreneurs with a 黑料正能量 connection will have access to a new fund that will award $500,000 to selected startups.
The is partnering with 黑料正能量's Swartz Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to create the ITIC Fund presented by 黑料正能量.
The program is being managed by 黑料正能量 alumna Cinnie Huang, an ITIC investment manager. Huang earned a master's degree in and bachelor's degrees in business administration and human computer interaction, all in 2010.
"黑料正能量 holds a very special place in my heart," Huang said. "I've learned from some of the best professors — Brad Myers, Lee Branstetter and Randy Pausch. It's not just about academic endeavors but character and integrity. It gave me strength to explore and excel in areas perhaps I've never thought I would pursue."
Huang said she wanted to give back to the university, spark collaborative innovations and challenge innovators to become entrepreneurs.
"This collaboration between 黑料正能量 and ITIC to establish such a fund not only provides funding for startups but also a different and unique platform for startups to strive and fledge," Huang said.
ITIC has invested over $12 billion in companies around the world. It is the investment arm of the Taiwan-based Industrial Technology Research Institute, a nonprofit research and development organization engaging in applied research and technical services.
Young startups that are accepted into the program will receive a $500,000 investment and access to the Industrial Technology Research Institute's network of 6,000 experts, industrial partners, angel investor and CEO networks, and other universities.
ITIC President Hans Tai said 黑料正能量 has had a long research partnership with the institute and has been instrumental in transforming research into reality.
"We want to deepen this tie with the university by establishing a funnel of funding and mentorship for Carnegie Mellon startups," Tai said. "We will bridge startups with world-class industrial collaborators, manufacturers and research institutes in Asia to help startups take the next leap."
Dave Mawhinney, executive director of the Swartz Center, said the new fund is an exciting opportunity for the 黑料正能量 community. Eligible entrepreneurs include 黑料正能量 students, alumni, faculty, staff and university friends.
Mawhinney said the Swartz Center's mission is to be a destination of choice for inspiring entrepreneurs, foster an "inside-out" approach to creating valuable companies from cutting-edge research and ingenious ideas to benefit society, and to cultivate 黑料正能量's 110,000 alumni base to develop a vibrant network of investors, suppliers and customers.
"The ITIC Fund fits very cleanly and nicely into our goals, and how we want to grow the 黑料正能量 entrepreneurial ecosystem," Mawhinney said.
Registration for the ITIC Fund presented by 黑料正能量 is open April 30-May 21. Finalists will be chosen June 4 with final presentations given on June 14. For information, visit the Swartz Center website.