What is the TCU Innovation Network?
The new TCU Innovation Network is a collaborative series of events and programs, open to campus and the community to inspire and drive innovation, creativity, problem-solving, experiential learning and community engagement.
For the fall, Innovation Network collaborative events and programs will include:
- Creative Workshops – monthly workshops to connect resources across campus and drive creative discovery
- Corporate Innovation Weeks – monthly week-long events bringing the most innovative companies to campus to hear their story, understand their impact, and experience their innovative technologies. For example, Mark Clayton, former University of Oklahoma and Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver, will be here on Wednesday (9/10) to share his entrepreneurial journey launching LIVV audio and all week you can visit Rees-Jones to experience his groundbreaking headphones.
- Master Classes – non-academic classes focused on tangible skill development in areas like franchising, AI, photography, web design, etc.
- Competitions and Celebrations - regular campus challenges and events to inspire innovation and recognize creative problem solving
Future Programs
In the spring, Innovation Network programming will expand to include hackathons and a technology expo demonstrating emerging instructional technologies for campus. The signature event of the TCU Innovation Network will be the new Texas Innovation Conference and Awards (April 2026) – bringing together the best of TCU innovation and celebrating innovative research and early-stage startups from across the state.
What Else?
The best idea for an Innovation Network program is the one they haven’t heard yet. So don’t hesitate reach out to the Innovation Network with ideas for programs and new collaboration opportunities. Other ideas in development include experiential corporate and community projects, expanded campus makerspace resources, and K-12 programs to engage the next generation of Horned Frogs. Help shape these ideas and bring your own.
Follow Us!
To follow everything happening with the TCU Innovation Network, sign up for the mailing list (here), check the TCU calendar, and follow @tcuinnovates on Instagram. There is also a new University Strategy and Innovation Office page on LinkedIn – so don’t forget to follow that page as well to stay up to date. Two years in the making, the Innovation Network is here. Take advantage and help propel TCU and our region!
History: How the Innovation Network Began & Why it Matters
In 2023, leaders from across TCU began brainstorming and designing an “Innovation and Impact Hub”. The goal for this effort was to “establish a gathering place to spur, generate, refine, and enhance innovation and impact across TCU and the North Texas community. Venues and associated programming will draw interdisciplinary faculty, students, staff, and community leaders to institutionalize innovation at TCU through collaboration. New ideas, technologies, techniques, products, and ventures will be incubated in the Hub and emerge to the betterment of humanity and the reputation and impact of TCU as a whole.” The nexus of this Innovation and Impact Hub was planned to be Rees-Jones Hall.
During the Lead On: Values in Action strategic planning effort, a cross-campus team was assembled to shape the vision for an initiative focused on realizing the “Innovation and Impact Hub” – but now shortened the name to “Innovation Hub”. In the Strategic Plan, the “Innovation Hub” initiative focuses on developing a vibrant ecosystem of programs and spaces to grow a pervasive culture of creativity, innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning across campus and community.
As one of the initial investments in the Lead On: Values in Action strategic plan, the “Innovation Hub” was scheduled for opening in Fall 2025 and a search was launched to find the inaugural Director, Innovation Hub. After a very competitive search, Jacqueline Navarrete was hired and joined the University Strategy and Innovation Office in June. A refresh of Rees-Jones was also initiated by the Provost Office to reimagine Rees-Jones as the hub for innovation.
Since June, Jacqueline has met with stakeholders across campus as well as the Fort Worth community to design “Innovation Hub” programs with the desired impact. From these discussions, one thing became clear, the idea of a “Hub” was too limiting. TCU has a strong connection culture and when it comes to innovation and creativity, you can find it everywhere. So instead of a single “Innovation Hub” – the name changed to “Innovation Network”. While Rees-Jones Hall, will serve as the physical “Hub” for many programs, the “Innovation Network” will build a connected innovation community across campus and the region.
We looking forward to connecting with you.
Go Frogs!
This week, TCU is launching our new TCU Innovation Network with activities and events planned every day:
