The Forum is a "make a deal" 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 scoring teams will win. These 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.
Our expert panel of judges includes:
- Jaosn Fox - Evangelist and Developer - Microsoft
- Todd Phillips - Director, Business Development - Intel
- Larry Hornbeck, PhD - Professor - Inventor of DLP chip - UTD Jonsson School / Texas Instruments
- Charles Haseman - Director of Sales - Retail Solutions - NEC USA
- Walter E. Voit, PhD - Associate Professor - UTD Jonsson School
- Michael Sitarzewski - CEO of Epic Playground, Inc., Publisher of Launch DFW
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.