2021 Startups Win Investor Funding in Texas Tech's Own 'Shark Tank'™

February 15, 2021

Ten teams participated as finalists in the Virtual iLaunch Competition.

Three teams of startup entrepreneurs from Texas Tech University and the West Texas community were awarded funding as winners of the Innovation Hub at Research Park's 2021 iLaunch Competition on Friday (Feb.12).

The iLaunch finals, the Innovation Hub's own "Shark Tank"™-like experience, allowed 10 startup teams to pitch to a real investor panel for an opportunity to win the $10,000 top prize. The annual competition, held virtually this year, involves entrepreneurs from Texas Tech and the West Texas community. It is designed to identify, grow and launch startup companies.

The winners are:

First place ($10,000)
QRS 3D: Allows for the rapid 3D printing of durable parts for field engineers and specialists who want to reduce downtime on location.
Team: Cynthia Sangang, Texas Tech doctoral student, and Jenny Qiu, Texas Tech faculty

Second place ($3,000)
Business Planning System: A software as a service (SaaS) company that makes preparing for bank or economic development financing under $250,000 faster and less stressful for everyone involved.
Team: Tracy Shea and Mark Nair, community entrepreneurs

Third place ($1,000)
East Lubbock Art House: A not-for-profit art agency and gallery that supports emerging artists and promotes civic engagement.
Team: Danielle East, community entrepreneur

tags: College of Engineering, Faculty, Graduate School, Innovation Hub, Research, Stories, Students, Vice President for Research, texas tech in the community

Texas Tech University

A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation's premier research institutions.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.

The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.

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Innovation Hub
at Research Park

This 40,000-square-foot facility is designed to be a resource for the faculty and students of both Texas Tech and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center as well as community members interested in launching new ventures. Texas Tech is a national research university, and the Innovation Hub at Research Park is critical to building the knowledge-based economy of West Texas through the development of innovators and entrepreneurs who solve society's problems and develop innovations to make impact.

The Innovation Hub at Research Park is located at 3911 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, just west of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

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Office of Research and Innovation

The Office of Research and Innovation is tasked with facilitating excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity for Texas Tech students, faculty and staff. The office promotes an academic environment embracing creativity, curiosity, innovation, diversity, ethics and integrity.

Among other programs, the OR&I supports responsible and safe conduct of research, faculty development and recognition, interdisciplinary collaborations, externally sponsored research, partnerships with industry and community stakeholders, international research collaboration and the application of research for the benefit of society. The OR&I promotes a culture of creative expression, discovery, innovation and collaboration with the goal of advancing Texas Tech's status as an elite national research university.

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