The joining of two or more different minds often leads to innovation.
We’re excited to announce we are adding the innovation of NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to our startup accelerator program through a formal partnership. The partnership brings a variety of opportunities for collaboration — including assistance to our current startup accelerator teams from Glenn experts and access to and identification of technologies.
More details are in the press release below.
Startup Accelerator Flashstarts Partners with NASA Glenn Research Center
CLEVELAND, Thursday, June 4, 2015 – Flashstarts, a startup accelerator and venture fund in Cleveland, and NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland announced the formation of a partnership today that will support the growing Northern Ohio economy.
Glenn’s support in this partnership will include providing startup companies participating in the Flashstarts Accelerator with mentorship from Glenn subject matter experts, identification of technologies, as well as access to its unique testing facilities.
“Some of the most advanced software and technology in the world is being developed at NASA,” said Flashstarts CEO and co-founder Charles Stack. “This partnership will provide Flashstarts and our teams with access to new disruptive technologies and the brilliant minds behind them. It transforms our regional startup accelerator into a national and global player in generating successful new businesses based on cutting edge technology.”
The partnership will provide Glenn with opportunities to partner with startup companies that are participating in the Flashstarts Accelerator. Flashstarts, which was founded in 2013 and specializes in business development for software and technology startups, will serve as a community outlet for specific collaborations with Glenn.
“We are most pleased to have signed this formal agreement with Flashstarts,” said Robert Shaw, director of venture development and partnerships at NASA Glenn. “The agreement allows us to apply NASA capabilities including technical expertise to support Flashstarts’ companies, and therefore contribute to regional economic development in the private sector. Our partnership with Flashstarts is one element of our center’s regional development initiative which is aligned with President Obama’s innovation economy thrust.”
The Glenn and Flashstarts partnership grows from a similar partnership between Glenn and Cleveland-area business accelerator LaunchHouse, through Flashstarts’ hire of LaunchHouse partner Shannon Lyons. In the LaunchHouse partnership, a team of Glenn scientists formed Plasma Pure Water, advancing water purification using NASA technologies, through participation in the 2014 LaunchHouse Hardware Accelerator.
“NASA has been a phenomenal partner in supporting early-stage technology companies,” said Lyons. “The partnership is timely, as Flashstarts launched the 2015 Flashstarts Accelerator on May 26, 2015.”
About Flashstarts
Flashstarts is a Cleveland-based startup accelerator and venture fund focused on unique and innovative uses of software and technology. Startups will benefit from Flashstarts’ executive team’s deep expertise in Enterprise and Healthcare IT, Gigabit Fiber applications, mobile and digital publishing and media. Flashstarts’ rigorous 12-week summer accelerator program is powered by rapid cycles of feedback and iteration, customized guidance from dedicated coaches, an extensive network of top-tier, experienced mentors, and an award-winning internship program. For more information, visit www.flashstarts.com or follow @Flashstarts on Twitter.
To learn more about NASA Glenn, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glenn
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View the PDF press release.
