The event is set to kick off the 2017 accelerator pilot program on March 25th, 2017 on the UTD campus at 8:30am.

The Forum is a “Shark Tank” style event where UTD students and faculty startup teams who are building hardware products will compete for placement in the makerSeed accelerator pilot program.

The top 4 winning teams will enter the makerSeed accelerator pilot program and receive:

- Entry into the makerSeed program and percentage of any sponsor or Crowdfunding revenues.

- A fully funded hardware program from idea to final prototype.

- Fully curated Crowdfunding campaign(s) for generating revenue early market validation.

- A full suite of services including DFM, engineering, IP law, market validation, business development, marketing, and sales fulfillment consultancy.

- Opportunities for exclusive pitches to and potential deals with OEMs, vendors, manufacturing, and retail and distribution companies in the makerSeed portfolio.

- Teams will retain all equity in the corporate entity that is formed.

The expert panel of judges includes:

 - Jaosn Fox - Evangelist and Developer - Microsoft

 - Todd Phillips - Director, Business Development - Intel

 - Larry Hornbeck, PhD - UTD Professor - Inventor of DLP chip - UTD / Texas Instruments

 - Charles Haseman - Director of Sales - Retail Solutions - NEC USA

 - Walter E. Voit - Associate Professor - UTD Jonsson School

The format will consist of 3 team demos per hour starting at 8:45am.  Awards will be given after lunch.

All are welcome to stay and network after the awards ceremony until 2:30pm.

Register now to get your seat and witness the action! https://makerseed.org/index.php/events/competition/makerseed-forum-2017