D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick earlier this week in announcing a partnership to establish the District's first Technology and Innovation Hub, which will expand the city's growing technology and innovation ecosystem.
The partnership will focus on leveraging the school's resources for venture capital firms to support medium- to late-stage technology and innovation startups.
"We are taking a major step towards building an ecosystem that will make D.C. a worldwide hub for technology and innovation," Bowser said Wednesday during announcement at Howard. "This plan will bolster efforts to support our growing technology and innovation sectors by addressing the needs of startups and entrepreneurs in the District."
The partnership will include an economic investment from the District to Howard University to finance the agreement. Howard University will offer up to 10,000 square feet of office space on its campus in Northwest to house the tech hub. Occupancy is targeted for this year.
Frederick added that throughout Howard's 148-year history, the school has served as the starting point for countless entrepreneurs, innovators, and visionaries looking to make a positive impact on their communities, the nation and the world.
"We're proud of that legacy and recognize the urgent need to serve as a starting point for the next generation of technology and innovation leaders — particularly, men and women of color, too often overlooked when opportunities like this become available," Frederick said.
Source:
http://washingtoninformer.com/news/2015/mar/13/dc-howard-u-announce-tech-partnership/
