Apr 21 2009
The Houston Technology Center (HTC), a business accelerator that assists Houston-based emerging technology companies, is pleased to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year with a red carpet gala - "A Celebration of Entrepreneurs." This annual event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14th at the InterContinental Houston Hotel.
"Houston leaders have no more important task than preparing our citizens for jobs with a future that contribute to our growth," said Houston Mayor Bill White. "The Houston Technology Center is one of the most effective tools we have for doing that. By nurturing new technology, entrepreneurship and jobs, the HTC is helping Houston to attract and retain talented people. That is a key to competing effectively in the global marketplace."
The HTC is pleased to host gala honoree, Robert C. McNair, Founder and CEO of the Houston Texans. In addition, this year’s celebration will spotlight more than 60 of Houston’s landmark entrepreneurs, including five of Houston’s top entrepreneurs within the emerging technology industry who will receive Lifetime and Special Achievement Awards. Recipients include:
- Gale Burkett - Aerospace
- Rod Canion - Information Technology
- Dr. Nancy Chang - Life Science
- Dan Duncan - Energy
- Dr. James Tour - Nanotechnology
"Over the past decade, the HTC and our staff have mentored hundreds of local entrepreneurs, which have enabled the growth of emerging technology companies, job creation and economic development throughout the Greater Houston region," said Walter Ulrich, president and CEO of the HTC. "With the uncertainty of today’s economy, our mission of accelerating emerging technology companies is now more important than ever."
Platinum sponsors of this year’s gala include Enterprise Products Partners L.P., Gallery Furniture and Sterling Bank.
Gold sponsors include Andrews Kurth LLP, Baker Hughes, Bank of Texas, BMC Software, Centerprise Group, Chevron Technology Ventures, Direct Energy, Paul and Barbara Frison, Dan and Allison Parsley/Strake Foundation, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Holthouse Foundation for Kids, Nancy Tang Chang Family Charitable Gift Fund of the Greater Houston Community Foundation, OTC Global Holdings, Pierpont Communications, PKF Texas, Palmetto Partners, Ltd., Salient Trust Co. and Salient Partners / The Shanna and Andrew Family Charitable Fund, UBS Investment Bank and Vesalius Ventures.
A limited amount of individual tickets are now available for $250. Patron seats are also available for $1,000 offering mention in the event program and a reserved seat for one in the ballroom.
Join in supporting the HTC’s mission of accelerating emerging technology companies in Energy, Life Sciences, Information Technology, Nanotechnology and Aerospace. For more information or to purchase a spot at the HTC’s red carpet gala please visit: http://www.houstontech.org or call 713-658-1750.
The Houston Technology Center (HTC) is a non-profit business accelerator that assists Houston-based emerging technology companies within several key sectors: Energy, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Nanotechnology and NASA/Aerospace technologies. HTC also serves as the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (GCRCIC) for the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, providing funding for small to mid-size companies to expedite the commercialization of new technologies. For more information, visit www.houstontech.org.