Techfw

For entrepreneurs: Techfw is entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs commercializeinnovative technologies. Techfw has four main programs for entrepreneurs. Thinklab isa personal investment by an entrepreneur in the foundations of their technologyventure and skill development as a founder and entrepreneur. By design, the thinklabprogram helps founders and entrepreneurs determine whether there is enough value topursue a product or service idea, identify potential markets, develop a path tomarket strategy, and learn how to communicate the value of the idea to earlystakeholders and adopters. Smartstart is where founders build and launch theirstartup and tirelessly advance the people, tools and culture within their venture.the goal of smartstart is to make it happen, through customized efforts to refine theplan, refer the company to appropriate management, consultants, potential partners,or others, and help the company find appropriate funding, etc. Smartstart clientscan lease space during the time they need to implement their plans. Fastforward isfor executives scaling high-growth companies and taking on new leadership challengeswith their business model. New executives often need help in seeking funding forgrowth, hiring, marketing, sales, implementing processes, and many other challenges.companies in smartstart and fast forward qualify for our m-crew program, which is atechfw differentiator because a team of mentors with diverse experiences works withcompanies for six months. During this time, they focus on central barriers to growthand implementation that the founders and executives are facing. Our ability torecruit skilled mentors in diverse industries and match them to the needs of thecompanies has been the success of the program.

For investors: Techfw facilitates the interaction between angel investors andentrepreneurs from across the country with our cowtown angels program, educates new investors through our smartvest program and partners with organizations to produceevents connecting investors and entrepreneurs. The cowtown angels program wasstarted in september 2012 to create a mechanism whereby local technology-basedbusinesses could gain access to local funding by private investors. Members, whoare accredited investors, pay an annual fee that entitles them to participate inmonthly meetings to hear pitches from companies. Techfw coaches and helps preparethe applying companies so that they are better able to present their businesseswell, provides feedback to the applying companies before and after their pitches,and facilitates all the meetings of the angel network. Each member makes his or herown investing decisions. Cowtown angels generally has three profiles of members:retired professionals, serial entrepreneurs, and professional investors, includingfamily offices and private equity firms. Cowtown angels is a member of the angelcapital association.

Outreach to the community: our outreach initiatives have a daily impact on thecommunity. Techfw is at the epicenter of innovation in Fort Worth and responds dailyto community inquiries, networks its clients to the community and vice versa, andserves on committees across multiple industries to help Fort Worth innovate and grow.during the year, Techfw produces monthly newsletters, weekly events, and otherspecialty events for the entrepreneurial community and our members. We partner withseveral organizations and institutions, including universities, corporations, serviceproviders, and other entrepreneur support organizations.