Here’s who will run the city-backed incubator at Howard University

On Tuesday afternoon, Howard University and Mayor Muriel Bowser tapped Luma Lab as the operator of a new tech incubator on Howard’s campus.

Excited to announce @Luma_Lab to operate new @Howard tech hub. DC is where 'inclusive innovation' happens! https://t.co/vdCLOOCw5P #DCProud

— Brian Kenner (@kenner_brian) February 16, 2016

According to a statement, Luma Lab was chosen from a group of “elite,” but undisclosed, list of other contenders. The Metro Center-based arm of Clearly Innovative, which focuses on giving young people from underrepresented backgrounds an introduction to tech and entrepreneurship, would seem to be a good fit for the mission of the forthcoming Howard tech hub.
As Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development spokesman Joaquin McPeek told Technical.ly back when the search for an operator began in October, the Howard incubator will seek to “complement incubators that already exist” with a focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick echoed this sentiment in a statement. “This incubator will support our social mission by creating opportunities for the next generation of minority innovators at Howard University and beyond,” he said.
Currently set for a launch in Fall 2016, the hub will offer entrepreneurship training, coworking space, events, mentorship and “strategic connections to Silicon Valley, investors, and partners.”
The District awarded a $1 million grant to Howard for the development of the incubator, according to McPeek last October. Additionally, rent for the space will be subsidized by contributions from the District for the first three years of the lease.
Learn more about Luma Lab in this Technical.ly profile from last July.