Friday, January 23, 2015

AT&T Launches New Ed-Tech Startup Accelerator

Dallas-based carrier AT&T said Thursday that it has launched a new, startup accelerator, aimed at the education and technology market, called the AT&T Aspire Accelerator. AT&T said the new accelerator aims to help inspire "game-changing" solutions to real world education problems. Unlike most accelerators, AT&T said that companies will not be picked by standard financial measures, but by the companies, or even non-profits, with the chance for the biggest societal impact.

AT&T also is not gathering those companies in one, central accelerator location, saying its program will be open to any company--or nonprofit--anywhere in the country. AT&T will invest $50,000, plus contribute an additional $25,000 to cover costs associated with the program for each organization, and also give access to mentors, and other AT&T resources, for six months. Deadline for applying for the accelerator is February 20th; the program will start in May.

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