Now things might start to change. Earlier this week, Howard University and Mayor Muriel Bowser selected Luma Lab to operate a new DC-based incubator on Howard’s campus. It is the District’s first venture capital hub for start-ups and emerging companies. The incubator will provide much needed support for underrepresented entrepreneurs and businesses that provide innovative products and services to underserved communities. The innovation hub on Howard’s campus had multiple tech and entrepreneurship organizations to choose from and Luma Lab came out the winner. It is part of an effort by Mayor Bowser and Howard President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick’s to foster an inclusive technology and innovation industry that celebrates diversity. Luma Lab is part of minority owned Clearly Innovative, Inc. Its goal is to expose kids in underserved areas to tech and entrepreneurship. It also provides education, mentorship and a positive learning environment for children, teenagers, and adults. The District donated almost $1 million to construct the innovation hub within Howard’s Wonder Plaza retail center. It contains over 8,000 square feet of cutting edge work space that will offer technology and entrepreneurship training, affordable co-working space, networking events, mentorship and strategic connections to investors. The incubator is expected to launch in Fall 2016. Feature image courtesy of Howard.edu
