The BSU TECenter Celebrates 10 Years of TEC by Honoring Founder Jim Hogge

BOISE, Idaho - Nov. 20, 2013 - PRLog -- The Boise State University Technology and Entrepreneurship Center (TECenter), Idaho’s premier business incubator and accelerator, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on December 6th from 4pm-6pm. The celebration will focus on honoring the visionary and founder of the TECenter, Jim Hogge.

Jim Hogge worked with Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for over 20 years starting as a student intern when earning his accounting degree at BSU. During his tenure with the SBDC he held every position before serving as the State Director, a position he held for nearly 18 years. Hogge was responsible for obtaining two grants totaling $4.5 million to build and renovate the TECenter.

“Jim was relentless in his pursuit of the dream to create the TECenter - he knew the value that strong tech-based companies would bring to the economy in the Treasure valley and the state” says Katie Sewell, current state Director for the Idaho SBDC. “The TECenter would not be here today without Jim's vision and leadership.”

In its 10 years the TECenter has touched over 1000 emerging companies and provided over 250 formal assessments & workplans. The TECenter has graduated 30 companies back into the Idaho economy. Some past clients include: MetaGeek, EtripTrader, and BookLamp.

“Jim’s vision for a flexible incubator with in-house services and advising is alive and doing well” says current TECenter Executive Director, Denise Dunlap. “We are formally working with 15 startup companies and now have the capacity to work with double that number thanks to our recent renovation.”

The 38,000 square foot TECenter was built with an EDA grant and opened on Boise State’s West Campus in Nampa, Idaho in 2003. A second EDA grant allowed the center to complete unfinished space and upgrade the original building. The latest improvements were completed in September 2012, providing almost 30,000 square feet of leasable space and positioning the center to greatly expand its offerings by increasing its capacity by 46%. For more information visit www.tecaccelerator.com.

Festivities will begin at 4pm on December 6, with the presentation beginning at 4:30pm. The event will conclude at 6pm. All community members are invited to attend. For reservations visit: https://10yearsoftec.eventbrite.com (https://10yeasoftec.eventbrite.com/).

For more information, please contact Will Fowler (willfowler@boisestate.edu).