The Tulane Innovation Institute is launching operations this year, thanks to generous gifts from forward-thinking philanthropists.
Innovation Institute to Accelerate Tech Startups
As the institute’s primary engine, the Innovation Lab will drive commercialization efforts by providing proof-of-concept and early-stage startup gap funding for aspiring entrepreneurs and promising technologies.
As the institute’s primary engine, the Innovation Lab will drive commercialization efforts by providing proof-of-concept and early-stage startup gap funding for aspiring entrepreneurs and promising technologies.
Kikie and Robert Priddy and the Priddy Family Foundation made the lead gift to launch the Robert L. Priddy Innovation Lab.
The institute is a multimillion-dollar, long-term project that will act as a combined technology and startup accelerator for university faculty, researchers, staff, students and community members. It is expected to have a major impact on the regional economy.
The Priddy Family Foundation made the lead gift to launch the Robert L. Priddy Innovation Lab. Robert Priddy (UC ’69), who had a career in aviation and private equity, and his wife, Kikie, run the foundation with their daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Mike Acks, and their son, Christopher Priddy.
Board of Tulane member David Mussafer (B ’85) and his wife, Marion, gave a gift to establish the David and Marion Mussafer Innovation Funds.
As the institute’s primary engine, the Innovation Lab will drive commercialization efforts by providing proof-of-concept and early-stage startup gap funding for aspiring entrepreneurs and promising technologies. It expects to attract more than $100 million in capital to the region.
Board of Tulane member David Mussafer (B ’85) and his wife, Marion, gave a gift to establish the David and Marion Mussafer Innovation Funds to support a sprectrum of activities to energize and cultivate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset on campus. The institute’s managing executive will be known as the David and Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer. David Mussafer serves as chairman and managing partner of Advent International Corp.
“For Tulane to have the Priddys’ and Mussafers’ generous support represents a resounding endorsement of this ambitious project,” President Michael A. Fitts said.
Other early and visionary supporters include David Barksdale (TC ’00), an emeritus member of the Board of Tulane, and his wife, Stephanie, an instructor at the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking; Carol Bernick (NC ’74), chair of the Board of Tulane; Walter Isaacson, an emeritus member of the Board of Tulane and the Leonard A. Lauder Professor of American History and Values, and his wife, Cathy; and Jeffrey Silverman (A&S ’89), and his wife, Amy.
“Throughout my career I’ve loved watching small ventures grow into thriving enterprises,” Robert Priddy said. “In the Innovation Institute, I see a promising idea with the power to capitalize on Tulane’s existing strengths and grow into something huge for the city and the Gulf Coast.”
“Given Tulane’s world-class reputation across multiple disciplines, along with its willingness to break down academic silos in order to create innovative solutions to important problems, the foundation for this project’s success is already well-established,” David Mussafer said. “Factor in the city’s rich culture, diversity and magnetic allure for creative individuals, and you have a powerful recipe for impactful entrepreneurship.”
