Houston, TX, August 10, 2021 — To kick off National Back-to-School Month, Houston-based entrepreneurial community and startup hub, The Cannon, and the Founders District Houston, expanded an educational entrepreneurship partnership with the Spring Branch Independent School District (“SBISD”) and Houston Community College (“HCC”). Campus-specific and virtual programs will be supported by The Cannon’s startup incubator team, as well as the online startup community platform, Cannon Connect.

Plans also include creation of a “Future Founders” campus organization, intended to encourage student-teacher-startup activities and engagement. Each program is based on a City of Houston-Founders District “Community Benefits” partnership, managed in coordination with The Cannon.

“The collaboration between the City, the Founders District, The Cannon, and regional schools, demonstrate a shared core value of all parties involved: investment in and early engagement of students and educators is key to a vibrant economy,” said Mark Toon, cofounder of the Founders District, which houses The Cannon.

Additional program features that comprise the “Community Benefits” entrepreneurship education program will roll out during the Fall 2021 semester. A key component of the program centers on innovation and education facility-sharing and a mutual campus presence for all Community Benefits partners: HCC, SBISD, and The Cannon/Founders District. Student tours of and interactive classes at The Cannon will kick off during the 2021–2022 school year.

“The Cannon's passion to help entrepreneurs seek and achieve success centers on real-world innovation education for the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said The Cannon’s CEO Jon Lambert. “We are eager to provide SBISD educators and students access to The Cannon's digital and workspace communities and to bring tangible entrepreneurial experience to life."

SBISD teachers may utilize Cannon Connect in and outside of the classroom, which includes complimentary access to the online platform’s Knowledge Center, a one-stop shop for entrepreneurship educational resources.

“The Spring Branch ISD Career and Technical Education (“CTE”) department is pleased to expand our Founders District partnership which features Cannon Connect and on-site engagement with experts who will engage with SBISD’s comprehensive high school entrepreneurship courses,” said SBISD CTE Coordinator Angie Robertson. “The shared knowledge and experiences will equip entrepreneurship-focused teachers and students, alike.”

In the higher education arena, the Future Founders student organization aims to foster the growth of Houston’s budding student entrepreneurs, starting at charter-member campus, Houston Community College Northwest (Spring Branch). The program will expose college students and educators to the Founders District’s ecosystem of entrepreneurship and onsite talent, and will include networking events, panel discussions, and pitch competitions.

“Introduction to real-world startup ventures and face-to-face meetings with founders stands to develop practical skill sets to help shape future entrepreneurs,” said Lawson Gow, founder of The Cannon. “It is an inspiration to see such interest from students and teachers."

The education partnership and programs will expand this semester and will be highlighted via a pending “Future Founders” web and social media page.

About The Cannon

The Cannon, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an entrepreneurial hub that features startup-focused workspace facilities and a comprehensive online community network of resources. . Home to hundreds of America’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, startups, small business owners, investors, advisors, and innovators, The Cannon Community helps innovators thrive and businesses grow.

About The Founders District

Located on 32 acres in West Houston, The Founders District is an innovation center and multi-purpose development comprised of commercial offices, restaurants, retail establishments, featuring The Cannon, Houston’s largest innovation hub, startup community, and coworking space.

About The Future Founders Club

The Future Founders Club connects students and entrepreneurs at school, corporate, and startup campuses in Houston, via a partnership with Houston Community College, SBISD, the City of Houston, The Founders District, and The Cannon.

Future Founders fosters the development of entrepreneurial skills through programs that enable networking, one-on-one mentorship, panel and classroom engagement, startup and maker-space facility tours, and a business plan pitch competition.

Media Contacts:

• The Cannon - Brad True, btrue@thecannon.com
• The Founders District - Tammy Dowe, tdowe@spotonpublicrelations.com or 713.412.1771

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