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*This page is referenced in {{Institution|Image= Owlspark.png|Caption=OwlSpark Logo|Name=OwlSpark|Type=University Accelerator|City=Houston|URL=http://entrepreneurship.rice.edu/accelerator/|Cohort Size=33|Percent Funded= 0%|Percent Acquired= 0%|Percent IPO= 0%|Number of Directors=5|Experienced Directors=0|Date Founded=2013}}Part of the [[Rice EntrepreneurshipStart-Up Guide (Issue Brief)]]Series

[[Image==About==<onlyinclude>OwlSpark is a Houston-based, non-profit university accelerator founded in 2013. It advertises a wide array of services, including funding, access to experts, office space and mentorship. OwlSpark has five directors, none of whom have direct entrepreneurship experience as an established entrepreneur. Of the 33 startups which have enrolled in the OwlSpark program, none have received venture capital funding. No company which has participated in the OwlSpark program has been acquired or exited in an IPO. </onlyinclude> ==Contact Information=={| class="wikitable"|-|Website|http:Owl Spark//entrepreneurship.rice.pngedu/accelerator/|-|Address|Janice and Robert McNair Hall, Loop Rd, Houston,TX 77005|-|Email|Upon Request|} ==Portfolio=={| class="wikitable"! style="text-align:left;"| Name! VC?! Acquired?! IPO?|} {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"! colspan=“1”| OwlSpark Acquired|-! target || acquirorname || enterprisevalatannouncementmil || enterprisevaleffectivedatemil || equityvalatannouncementmil || dateannounced || dateeffective || acquirorind || targetind || status || acquirorcity || targcity|-| Nexus Software Inc || Diebold Inc || np n || p || || 10/18/99 || 10/18/99 || Computer and Office Equipment || Prepackaged Software || Completed || North Canton || Raleigh|200x200px]]}

Founded in 2013, [[OwlSpark ]] is a program that allows Rice students, faculty, staff, and recent alumni to launch their own companies. As a university accelerator, OwlSpark provides entrepreneurship education, teaches business fundamentals, pairs teams with knowledgeable mentors, features office hours with successful entrepreneurs, and provides connections for high-growth, technology-based ventures. By providing a platform in which students have access to curriculum, collaborative co-working space, a monthly living stipend, and relevant industry mentorship, OwlSpark provides founders with the hands-on understanding of what it takes to launch a startup.

*Following the summer program, startup teams participate in the [http://bayoustartupshowcase.com/| Bayou Startup Showcase] to showcase their businesses

OwlSpark also works in collaboration Houston’s startup community to promote entreneurship entrepreneurship and innovation at the city and state levels.

==Team[http://www.owlspark.com/apply/ Apply]=====Board of DirectorsEligibility===*[http://business.rice.edu/Brad_Burke/| Brad Burke], Managing Director, Open to all Rice Alliance for Technology undergraduate and Entrepreneurship *Kaz Karwowskigraduate students, Executive Directorfaculty and staff, Rice Center for Engineering Leadershipand alumni (up to 5 years after graduation)*[http://business.rice.edu/Tom_Kraft2/| Tom Kraft]Startup teams of 2-5 people, Director one of Technology Ventures Development, whom must be affiliated with Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship*[http://www.ece.rice.edu/simar.aspx| Ray Simar], Professor in The Rice affiliate is considered the Program, Rice Center for Engineering Leadership*[http://businessteam leader.rice.edu/Kerri_Smith/| Kerri Smith], Director of Programs, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and Acting Managing Director, OwlSpark

For more detailed information===[http://www.owlspark.com/apply/ Program Requirements]=== *Completing pre and post-assessment surveys*Setting and reporting performance tracking metrics*Actively engaging in 60+ sessions, see OwlSpark's workshops, events, as well as weekly meetings with peers, mentors, and leadership teams*Conducting a minimum of 100 customer interviews*Developing basic marketing materials (i.e. logo, executive summary, website or landing page, etc.) ===Application===*Application divided into two sections:**Technology: explain your technology or business idea in a simple, specific statement**Team: demonstrate each founder’s relevant, but diverse, skill set, attributes, and contribution to the team.*Review comprehensive list of application questions [http://www.owlspark.com/founders-2apply/application/ here]*Submit one application per team. The application must be submitted by the team leader. There is no option to save the application and finish later, so teams are encouraged to review application questions prior to beginning the application itself.*If selected, an OwlSpark Leadership Team member will contact you to move on to the next phase of the application process.*Apply for OwlSpark 2016 [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/owlspark2016 here] ==Past Teams======2013 Cohort====A total of nine teams, ranging from software to consumer products to social ventures:#Checked Twice#Concept Node#Emergency Core#Coached Schooling#Medical Informatics#Owl Engine#Parkil#Sweat Analyzer#Village Innovators *Video highlights from [https://youtu.be/1sWIlEmBb4Q| opening remarks]*Video highlights from [https://youtu.be/nyXfT4sQrEk|Board closing remarks]====2014 Cohort====A total of eight teams, ranging from IT, medical, consumer products and sports, and education/social enterprise:#Big Delta Systems#DiBS#One Jump#HospiTable#Rebel Putter#Nexus Software LLC#Prosus Health#YouHootMe====2015 Cohort====A total of eight teams:#Arovia: Arovia makes 20+ inch electronic displays that collapse to easily fit inside your travel bag.#DigiChef: DigiChef is creating a mobile solution designed to provide consistent meal plans, recipes, and digital coupons based on the patient’s medical history, lab results, and fitness goals.#OcuCheck: OcuCheck provides early detection of sight threatening eye diseases through on-site eye screening services.#Open Factory: Open Factory is producing an open stereolithographic 3D printing platform for material scientists.#SenseWatch: SenseWatch provides cloud-based APIs for gesture recognition and vital sign interpretation for smartwatches.#ShowCoach: ShowCoach is developing an online video platform to make professional private sports instructors accessible and affordable.#Wholistic Advisors: Wholistic Advisors is a web-based platform that connects conventional and holistic practitioners.#Ziel Solutions: Ziel Solutions develops wearable devices for reducing the risk of Directors website]injury from physical activity. ==Management==

For more detailed information, see OwlSpark's [http://www.owlspark.com/leadership-team/|Leadership website]

*[https://twitter.com/RiceOwlSpark?lang=en| Twitter]*[https://www.facebook.com/OwlSpark/| Facebook]*Subscribe to the [https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/owlspark | listserv]*For general information: [http://www.owlspark.com/|Official Website]*For specific questions about OwlSpark: [http://www.owlspark.com/contact-2/|Direct Questions] [[Category: Public]][[Category:Ecosystem]]