HTC's Client Acceleration Program is at the heart of the organization's goal to identify and accelerate emerging technology companies. Companies selected as Clients are those most likely to successfully compete in the global technology marketplace.
HTC Client Companies are largely technology-based product businesses. HTC also works with some technology service companies, depending on the company's stage of growth and market sector.
HTC uses three designations to describe distinct engagements and relationships with entrepreneurs and technology companies:
Applicant
Entrepreneurs and companies, in varying stages of development, are considered Applicants once their management has attended an Orientation Session and submitted a Client Company Application, an executive summary and a business plan. Business plans do not need to be complete or perfect, as one of the benefits of applying to HTC is a formal business plan review.
The Application Fee is $250 and is required at the time of submission. Fees are payable online - click here.
For detailed information on how to apply to become an HTC Client please click here.
Applicants are eligible for the following services:
· Inclusion in HTC e-mail distribution list/Tech community
· Access to HTC's interactive Website
· Feedback on Business Plan, business model or concept
Client
The first step in the application review process involves an initial appraisal of the venture to ensure that the opportunity is an appropriate match for HTC's services. During this process, the company may be called in to answer questions, asked to present to a Screening Committee, or required to provide additional information as needed.
If accepted to the program, new Client Companies are required to provide warrants allowing HTC to purchase modest equity in the Client Company upon certain circumstances and to pay a calendar year membership fee, which includes (i) Technology Champions® Membership fee, (ii) Houston Technology Showcase® Exhibitor fee, (iii) attendance fees to all the Educational Seminar Series events and Technology Champions meetings for the Client Technology Champion member and a guest. Fees are payable online - click here.
Requirements of potential HTC Client Companies include:
· Domestic or International Headquarters in the Greater Houston area. In certain cases, we have also worked with companies that do not have headquarters here but have a competitive or customer need driving growth in this region.
· Strategy based on new, proprietary technology rather than a business that resells technology applications. HTC primarily focuses on companies in the various sectors: Life Sciences, Information Technology, Energy, Advanced Materials/Nanotechnology and NASA-originating technologies.
· Disruptive technology (the technology creates a solution that is orders of magnitude better than existing and pending competitive solutions)
· Revenue projections or valuations attractive to growth-capital investors (typically, $30 million by year 5)
· Demonstrated capability and likelihood of achieving scalability
· Willingness to assemble an appropriate management team. In certain cases, HTC may also require the company to have at least one full time employee.
· Willingness and desire to receive coaching. The company should have a good idea of what kind of assistance they require from HTC and commit to active participation.
Please note that while HTC does not usually work with most service-oriented ventures due to the inherent difficulties of scaling their business models, we may accept some IT service companies who have strong scaleable business models as well as some pre-product companies with truly disruptive technology.
In addition to filling the role of an advisor to the client, HTC assistance may also include:
· high-level planning and consulting
· business plan strategy, business modeling, marketing, finance and start-up expertise
· access to the Houston Angel Network
· access to the Houston Mentor Network
· access to the Service Provider Network including venture capital organizations
· introductions to corporations and institutions (potential customers and strategic partners)
Graduate
A company may be eligible for graduation from the HTC if they have worked with the Center over a minimum of two (2) years and satisfy any of the following:
· IPO or Merger/Acquisition
· > $1M revenues and six (6) months sustainable working capital (most funded product companies)
· Positive cash flow and six (6) months sustainable working capital (some service companies)
HTC has set this criterion to enable those sustainable technology businesses that have worked with HTC over a period of two years to be deemed ‘Graduates’ of the Center.
For more information about the program or about HTC in general please consider attending an upcoming Orientation Seminar.
