In the heart of Houston's emerging technology landscape, the University of Houston's Technology Bridge is making headway with its newest additions—the Alumni Lounge and a cutting-edge Digital Media Lab. These new features not only signify a commitment to fostering innovation within the University, but also highlight UH’s dedication to involving its alumni in the ever-evolving tech ecosystem.
Bridging Past and Future
The Alumni Lounge, which is actively being built within the Innovation Center, is a welcoming space designed exclusively for UH alumni. As the University continues to make strides in technology and innovation, the lounge aims to bring together former students and immerse them in the thriving tech ecosystem at Tech Bridge.
"The UH alumni body is a very valuable asset to the UH Technology Bridge, and our goal is to get them right in the middle of the tech startup ecosystem,” said Tanu Chatterji, director of startup development.
This dedicated space will allow alumni to connect with each other, share experiences and stay informed about the latest advancements in their fields. It will serve as a hub for networking, collaboration and mentorship, creating a bridge between the rich history of the university and its innovative future.
Digital Media Lab: A Gateway to Innovation
Adding to the excitement, Tech Bridge is set to launch its Digital Media Lab, which will be open not only to the UH community, but also to the wider public. This facility is UH’s first public media lab, marking a significant step in expanding the university's impact on the digital media landscape.
"The Tech Bridge media lab will be a first-of-its-kind center that will provide a platform for our innovation community and alumni to share knowledge with our ecosystem," Chatterji said.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the lab is designed to be a collaborative space where individuals can explore and experiment with various forms of digital media, from video production to virtual reality. This facility aims to nurture creativity, facilitate knowledge exchangeand serve as a catalyst for innovation within UH and the broader Houston community
Houston Tech Roundup: Spotlight on Tech Bridge
As part of its commitment to fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem, the Tech Bridge is proud to have been a host site for the Houston Tech Roundup, led by Natara Branch (BBA ’98), CEO of Houston Exponential, which Branch works to position as “Houston’s start-up advocate.”
This festival of startups brought together tons of local entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders.
In addition, the Tech Bridge served as a host site for the America’s Seed Fund Road Tour earlier this month. The Seed Fund Road Tour is a national outreach effort to connect innovators and entrepreneurs to technology funding opportunities provided through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
The event connected aspiring companies and start-up ventures to numerous early-stage funding opportunities totaling over $4 billion.
“By fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and alumni, we envision that these new innovative spaces will further the university’s quest for cutting-edge research, startup incubation, and student success through invaluable mentorship opportunities,” Branch said.
With events like these along with the Alumni Lounge’s impending opening and the continued development of the Digital Media Lab, Tech Bridge is doing its part to help solidify UH as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement in the heart of Houston's thriving tech scene.
“We want students to be a part of all of this, and we hope to engage and immerse them with valuable experiences through all of these activities,” Chatterji said.