SIIA’s Education Division is now seeking applications for its Innovation Incubator program. Developers of innovative K‐12 and postsecondary, technology‐based educational products or services will be reviewed, and ten participants (along with one alternate) will be selected to participate in the annual Ed Tech Industry Summit this spring. The deadline for applications is March 9, 2012.
The Innovation Incubator Program connects developers of promising new technologies with industry leaders, potential investors, and established companies seeking partnerships or acquisition candidates. The program is open to applicants from academic and non‐profit institutions, pre‐revenue and early‐stage companies, and long‐ standing companies with newly developed educational technologies.
While prototypes and very early‐stage innovations will be considered, products or services submitted must be past the conceptual phase. Applicants will be assessed on a broad range of selection criteria.
Participants selected for the program will present their innovations during the Business Profiles Presentations that open the Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco on May 6. Immediately following these presentations, they will be on hand to provide product demonstrations during the Innovation Showcase & Welcome Reception. Throughout the Summit, Innovation Incubator participants will receive recognition, peer‐to‐peer mentorship, and access to hand‐ selected prospects for partnership, acquisition, financing, and veteran advice.
SIIA is again partnering with Blackboard Inc., lead Innovation Incubator sponsor, to give elevated visibility and support to the finalist that best exemplifies technology innovation in service to education. One Innovation Incubator participant will be selected by Blackboard to receive a year‐long membership as a Blackboard Building Blocks partner in the Blackboard Partnerships program, subject to additional terms and conditions.
The program is also sponsored by Texthelp Systems.
Karen Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA.