UT System sees expansion thanks to LaunchPad

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The University of Texas will expand, diversifying its students at the university. | Pixabay

Blackstone Charitable Foundation announced on Jan. 26 the evolution of Blackstone Launchpad student entrepreneurship programming at the University of Texas (UT) System. 

There are currently two campuses, but it will expand to eight which will bring a diverse set of students to the university. 

“Expanding LaunchPad to more UT institutions helps develop a more robust pipeline of student entrepreneurs in Texas. This experience will encourage them to generate new ideas and someday launch companies and drive job growth,” UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken told UT Permian Basin. “We are grateful to the Blackstone Charitable Foundation for its generous contribution and for its effort to reach a more diverse student population across Texas.”

The expansion project will give students more access to resources and mentorships at UT El Paso, UT Permian Basin, UT Rio Grande Valley, UT San Antonio, UT Medical Branch and UT Southwestern campuses.

“We are incredibly excited to help student entrepreneurs bring their ideas to fruition,” Amy Stursberg, executive director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, told UT Permian Basin. “LaunchPad provides an invaluable experience by helping students acquire entrepreneurial skills that will help them contribute to Texas’ economic growth and prepare them for today’s workforce.”

LaunchPad was established in 2008 and collaborated with Techstars in 2016 to provide individuals with access to over 10,000 mentors and startup services. 

Blackstone LaunchPad helps students understand fundraising, job placement and recruitment. LaunchPad has provided 750,000 students across 24 campuses in the United States and Ireland with the help they need to get their businesses started. 

Blackstone Charitable Foundation was established in 2007 and focuses on entrepreneurship. The foundation focuses on the economy from a global perspective and strives to increase understanding of how entrepreneurship often is the growth of a successful business, industries and communities. 

For more information on Blackstone Charitable Foundation, click here.