快活视频

By Rebecca Kirkman on October 12, 2022

The StarTUp at the Armory鈥擳owson University鈥檚 business engagement center for startups to the region鈥檚 largest corporations鈥攔eceived the highest honor for university-based economic development initiatives in North America.

At the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Summit on Oct. 11, peer institutions selected the StarTUp as the Engaged University winner in its . The award recognizes universities for engaging multiple community partners to leverage and connect efforts in talent development, innovation and community development.

鈥淭his is a fantastic recognition for Towson University and its impact as an economic leader and anchor institution in the state of Maryland,鈥� says 快活视频President Kim Schatzel. 鈥淭he StarTUp is truly a best-in-class business engagement center and serves as a great example of all that can be achieved through partnerships with the Greater Baltimore business community.鈥�

In September the UEDA named the StarTUp, a 26,000-square-foot space in downtown Towson, among four finalists including the The Refinery at University of Arizona, a 65-acre community of innovation within the 1,200-acre, 25-year-old UA Tech Park; the Economic Development Collaborative at the University of Kentucky, including the 735-acre Coldstream Research Campus; and Wichita State University鈥檚 120-acre Innovation Campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not the amount of space or the length of time we鈥檝e been established that matters, it鈥檚 about what happens inside that space,鈥� says 快活视频Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Patrick McQuown, pointing to the StarTUp staff, the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, the e快活视频council and 快活视频leadership for the program鈥檚 success. 鈥淲e are so excited the impact of our work in supporting entrepreneurs and businesses has been recognized by the UEDA and our peers as we continue to push 快活视频further.鈥�

The recognition confirms the university鈥檚 commitment to serve as a community leader and partner by extending the talents of students, faculty and staff beyond campus boundaries to create opportunities for leadership, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and experiential learning.

The StarTUp at the Armory opened last fall in a state-of-the art space including 6,000 square feet of free coworking space and meeting rooms where entrepreneurs and executives connect with each other and to TU鈥檚 programs and people. 

It is also home to TU鈥檚 signature entrepreneurship programs like the StarTUp Accelerator, a fellowship providing mentorship, founder-centric programming, a $10,000 equity-free stipend and exposure to successful program alumni ventures. 

Since its launch, the StarTUp has contributed to the economic development of the region and beyond. 

It has supported 20 active ventures through its physical space in downtown Towson and the accelerator program. These ventures have an average annual revenue of more than $600,000 and have contributed a combined 263 new employees to the state.

Ventures from the first two cohorts have achieved a 125% increase in revenue, customers and users. Fellows in the third cohort, representing the region鈥檚 top rising entrepreneurs, have secured more than $800,000 in funding. 

Last spring, two 快活视频ventures took home a total of $15,000 from the national entrepreneurship competition EIX e-Fest. In its first year entering, 快活视频was the only school from the Baltimore鈥揇.C. region in the finals and the only school with more than one venture to place in the competition. Jal Irani 鈥�15, co-founder of Flave and an alumnus of the 2020 Accelerator cohort, was named one of 21 technologists building Baltimore鈥檚 future.

The StarTUp also held the inaugural 快活视频College Cup Innovation Challenge to support students from all disciplines in developing innovations to positively impact the world. It also partnered with Cristo Rey High School to teach students entrepreneurship skills through the 快活视频Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

Learn more about opportunities to engage with TU鈥檚 best-in-class entrepreneurship and innovation hub.