Texas Tech will host a full week of special events April 1-5.
The best of the best will be on display at Texas Tech University during "Discoveries to Impact" week, April 1-5.
"Discoveries to Impact" is a week of fun to showcase research, innovation and business startups at Texas Tech. Conference participants will have opportunities to compete for prize money for the best innovations and startup ideas and hear from numerous thought leaders, intriguing panel discussions and dynamic entrepreneur speakers.
Featured areas across campus will highlight innovation throughout the week, including:
• Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences' 11th annual Texas Tech Undergraduate Research Conference (URC)
• Center for the Integration of STEM Education & Research's Undergraduate Research Scholar Program banquet
• National Academy of Inventors dinner
• Innovation Hub at Research Park's third annual Sparking the Future of Innovation (Spark) Conference
Online free registration is open for the full slate of events, most of which are free and open to the public.
The week begins with the largest undergraduate research conference in the nation. Texas Tech URC showcases knowledge and ingenuity shared by more than 300 Texas Tech students from diverse disciplines. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to see and ask questions about innovative undergraduate research projects in the form of posters, presentations, visual art and creative performances.
During the week, conference attendees are invited to hear from dynamic keynote speakers and thought-provoking panelists. The Performance Innovation Speaker Series luncheon sold out within 48 hours, so a second opportunity to hear Sherwin Greenblatt's keynote presentation will be offered at 4 p.m. April 3 at the Innovation Hub. Greenblatt, who was Bose Corporation's first employee and served 15 years as its president, will share his journey of assisting Amar Bose in creating a multibillion-dollar company.
A keynote luncheon April 4 at Texas Tech's Student Union Building (SUB) features Genevieve Thiers, a world-renowned speaker, entrepreneur, investor, activist and opera singer. Thiers will explain why she believes the heroes of the future are not just technology builders, but civic builders with passion, purpose and drive. Thiers and Greenblatt will join leaders on a panel, "It Takes a Community to Raise a Startup," immediately following her talk.
On April 4-5, the Spark Conference highlights innovation and business startups with numerous panel discussions and networking opportunities. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn the secrets of successful startups and how to overcome struggles. The iLaunch Competition is a unique component of the Spark Conference. The Hub's own Shark Tank™-like experience is an investor-pitch event designed to identify, grow and launch startup companies.
On April 4, the iLaunch Competition's top 10 finalists will participate in a Lightning Round Reception event called "Minute to Pitch It" in the SUB's Red Raider Ballroom. Finalists will pitch their idea and the audience will vote for their favorite. The winner will take home the $500 People's Choice Award.
On April 5 at the Innovation Hub, the iLaunch finalists will present their pitch to a real investor panel at the Innovation Hub for a chance to win $10,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place or $1,000 for third place. Spark Conference attendees will see firsthand how startup founders make their pitch and the tough questions investors ask.
The full schedule for the week is available here.
For more information, contact the Texas Tech Innovation Hub at (806) 742-0024.
