The full week of events is open to the media and the public.
The Texas Tech University Innovation Hub at Research Park will host a variety of events during "Discoveries to Impact" Week. All events are open to the public and the media.
1 Million Cups
WHAT: Two startup founders will present their companies. One of the founders is a
9 year old who is launching an app to track food trucks. Media interviews with startup
founders will be available.
WHEN: 9-10 a.m. Wednesday (April 3)
WHERE: Innovation Hub, 3911 Fourth St., Rooms 103-105
Performance Innovation Speaker Series: "The Sound of Innovation" Luncheon
WHAT: Sherwin 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. This event is sold out.
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday (April 3)
WHERE: Texas Tech Student Union Building (SUB), Matador Room
"Sparking the Future of Innovation" (Spark) Conference Keynote Presentation: "Making Waves" Luncheon
WHAT: Genevieve Thiers, a world-renowned speaker, entrepreneur, investor, activist
and opera singer, will explain why she believes the heroes of the future are not just
technology builders, but civic builders.
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday (April 4)
WHERE: SUB, Ballroom
Panel discussion: "It Takes a Community to Raise a Startup"
WHAT: Thiers and Greenblatt will join local and Silicon Valley leaders to discuss
how our community is working together to build a vibrant ecosystem, and how you can
be a part of it.
WHEN: 1:30-2:45 p.m. Thursday (April 4)
WHERE: SUB, Matador Room
iLaunch Competition – Lightning Round Reception and "Minute to Pitch It"
WHAT: The iLaunch competition is a unique component of the Spark Conference. The Innovation
Hub's own "Shark Tank"TM-like experience is a pitch event designed to identify, grow and launch startup companies.
During the Lightning Round Reception, the top 10 finalists will pitch their ideas
and the audience will vote for their favorite. The winner receives the $1,000 People's
Choice Award.
WHEN: 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday (April 4)
WHERE: SUB, Red Raider Ballroom
iLaunch Competition – Investor Panel Pitch
WHAT: The top 10 iLaunch finalists will present their pitch to a real investor panel
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.
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday (April 5)
WHERE: Innovation Hub, rooms 103-105
"Discoveries to Impact" Week Closing Remarks and Awards Ceremony
WHAT: Winners of the $10,000 iLaunch Competition, Undergraduate Research Conference Poster Showcase, and Undergraduate Research Oral Presentations will be announced.
WHEN: 1:15-2:15 p.m. Friday (April 5)
WHERE: Innovation Hub, Atrium
CONTACT: Taysha Williams, program director, Innovation Hub at Research Park, Texas Tech University, (806) 507-1502 or taysha.williams@ttu.edu
